Today I did something I've never done before. The polls were open early, and I voted. Before this election, I never thought it would make enough of a significance to even bother. That or I thought both of the candidates were assclowns I wouldn't want in office.
But my very strong feelings about the candidates involved, and my more or less direct involvement in the war in Iraq drove me to do what is being predicted will happen in record numbers this year. It doesn't take much to make record numbers, twenty-five, thirty percent of those eligible to vote showing up at the polls would do it.
In the overall scheme of things, it's like what John Stewart said about the county in florida during the last presidential election that only had a difference of seven votes. Quoth John, "And my vote still wouldn't have mattered." However, it makes a difference to me, and the way I view my world. I have personal responsibility for what my country does.
I believe that we are right to be in Iraq, and we are making it a better, safer place, and I don't give a damn about wmd, Saddam was a murdering asshat. I believe that allowing abortion, or accepting homosexuality is a moral wrong. (no, I don't believe in beating the shit out of people, or arbitrarily killing them for these things either. I'm a conservative Christian, not a hater or a ranting maniac fascist.) I believe that, and I will vote to support what I believe is right.
Some of you believe in complete tolerance for everyone, every religion, and every way of life, no matter what. Some of you believe that violence or war is absolutely, always wrong. Some believe that we're wading through a sea of blood to line our own pockets with money/oil at the cost of American and Iraqi blood. I disagree, but I'm not here to convert you tonight. You will vote how you will vote. But I do wish to say that you have a moral obligation to support what you think is right.
Before you criticize your country, realize that you are taking part in its actions. That you have some measure for responsibility for everything that we do as a nation. It's cliche, but it shocks me to realize that Americans have been fighting and dying to bring the same rights to other nations that I've had for years, bought by the blood of others, and I've never exercised some of them. Take the time. Remember that even inaction is an action.
Today, I took a small part more in what happens in my country. Today, instead of standing by passively, I took action. My vote today made a difference. To me. Today, I became a little bit more american.