Right to Vote & Be a Dad

I am super excited when my son Lake will cast his first vote this year. Nearly every primary and general election he's been on my shoulders, hip, or by my side. He's shown a tremendous level of interest and curiosity in government, how it works, who is involved, and how to personally stay and get involved. There are a ton of transitions for child and parent some tough, some really tough. This one however comes with much relief that our future is in good hands 

[below pulled and consolidated from multiple earlier posts]

I can’t ever remember going to the voting polls with my dad.  That’s not to say that it didn’t happen, I just don’t have that memory.  I do remember that voting in my family was understood and taught me at a very young age that it is an inalienable right and privilege. I also know that I grew up in a strong republican led family as my dad served in the US Navy during  WWII before owning and operating a family business with my mom.  That also meant there was an equally strong vein of capitalism and patriotism under the roof where I was a child.

Some things change, yet many do not.  I am not a veteran, but do own my own business.  As such I embrace the concept of capitalism but can not say I am more republican or democrat.  At heart I am a Humanitarian American. I was greatly appreciating and exercising my right to vote, especially in such a historic campaign. Additionally comforting to me was my experience to vote alongside with my wife and son now 3-3/4 years old.  What this meant was very deep.  That I have the freedom to walk up to a polling booth to cast my vote as to who might be the next leader of our free nation.  Even more so, I was able to do so with my wife who is African American, and a vital educator in our local school district and our son who one day will be able to exercise this same right.

In reflection, I am acting on the wishes, goodwill, suffering, and toil of all those family, relatives, fellow countrymen, and women who fought tirelessly for freedom and democracy.  Not voting would seem to me a crime against all those who have come before me and who will follow after.  Lastly, I hope that I can reach my son with the importance and magnitude of this day and that every voting year of his life he too will exercise and appreciate his rights. Perhaps 4 decades from now, my son will reflect on this day as the moment he engaged in his first vote for the president and how significant it was.

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Nearly four years to the date Nov., 2008 I return to the same building, same room, same booth with the same company in tow–my son and famed Rosa-Bear to do the same thing [don’t believe me check it out].  It appears little has changed and all remains the same.  However, to quote Heraclitus “Nothing endures but change” gives me solace that voting like so many fellow Americans is not only a right but a privilege. Despite all the emotions from love to hate and everything in between and on other spectra I am hopeful and work toward a better tomorrow: Stronger/Sustainable/Peaceful.  What else is there really?

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