"Buckle Up and Tolerate the Ride"

I know, I know. I’m sick and tired of this whole election thing by now, too. I don’t like roller coasters, and my skepticism about the political system has reached heights I didn’t think possible. Unfortunately, I doubt the ride will come to a complete halt over the next four years. I’m not going to discuss the "confusing" ballots and the recounting of votes that have kept this saga in perpetual motion sickness. I promise. Instead, I’d like to share with you my personal experience.

Prior to Election Day, as most people, I made up my mind which Presidential candidate would get my vote. After long and careful contemplation, I was adamantly sure of my decision. I defended my views whenever the need arose in spite of being questioned, derided, and laughed at upon disclosing my favored candidate. Against the advice of others, especially my father, I was determined to stand by my man.

While warming up my car at 7:00am on Election Day, I began having second thoughts about my prior concrete resolution. Here, I was about to go forth with my plan of action, and I suddenly got cold feet. On the way to the school at which I was to cast my ballot, I developed a splitting headache. I ignored the possibility that my conscience was trying to tell me something.

I walked into the booth asking God to grant me wisdom. I heard the voices of friends, acquaintances, and especially my father lecturing and forcing their views upon me. I briefly considered abandoning my beliefs and following the crowd that I run with; maybe they’re more sensible and insightful than I am. After my fleeting hesitation, I knew that I had to be true to myself and stick to my guns. I felt a sense of honesty and pride walking out of that booth after the deed was done. However, there’s a chance that maybe I didn’t make the best decision. When I observe others who speak with such assured certainty and absolution, I wonder where their confidence stems from. Maybe they’re smarter, more passionate, or just more self-righteous than I am. What makes them so sure of their choices?

My father is active in local politics in the Sarasota, Florida area. Prior to Election Day, he had been prancing around in an "Uncle Sam" costume holding campaign signs at a major intersection. He was surprised at the number of motorists "flipping him the bird" and yelling obscenities. I’ll never understand that concept. First of all, even if you don’t plan on voting for a particular candidate, simply drive by with no reaction. Secondly, anyone willing to dress up as "Uncle Sam" and wave signs in public deserves a little respect in my opinion. He fought a good fight even though his candidate lost the election.

Now that November 7^th, 2000 is a fading memory for me, I still don’t know if my vote for Presidency was the correct one. And I’m not saying this due to ignorance; I’m admitting this as a result of being a fallible human being. Not one of us has the definitive answer; we each vote for the guy whose views regarding issues match closely with ours. The notion that the will of the majority must be obeyed sort of scares me because we presume that most of us are rational and sensible. Perhaps we are. But even if we’re not, I trust our government to continue in a fashion as not to rock our worlds too much. It’s kind of like when you wake up on your birthday and realize nothing monumental has changed since the previous day but the number of candles on your cake. In other words, the event itself is notable, however, changes take place very slowly. After the celebration is over, the guests go home, and the decorations are taken down, your every day life returns and it’s business as usual.

When the "Grand Winner" eventually springs into office with a fancy back flip, consider the birthday party over. Put away the party hats and balloons; the noisemakers will disassemble themselves. Life for each of us will go on as it has; we, and not politics, create our own destinies. There is something we can all count on. We’ll be invited four years from now to partake in the familiar festivities. Mark your calendar and don’t bother bringing any noisemakers to the party…they’ll already be there.