My daughter went back to college yesterday after casting her vote. Last night, she was checking the election returns with her roommates and felt confident and proud about her vote. All her candidates won here in New York. Not a bad first voting experience.
This will not always be the case. In the future, she will taste the bitter defeat we, her parents felt six years ago, and even more depressingly two years ago. I hope that when this happens, she will not give up on voting. And I hope that she will not give up on making her voice heard because " it does not make a difference anyway".
Making sure that our daughter was registered to vote was as important to me and to my husband as having her get her driver's licence and her own bank account. Its all part of her education.
Having done it once, I hope she will continue doing it every year, even when her candidates have only a slim chance of winning. Because if she does not make the choices herself, someone else will make them for her.
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2 comments:
Congradulations on the wonderful sense of responsibility and thoughtfulness you have relayed on to your children. If only this were the norm. Our children are taught to be selfish and egotistical these days. Too bad. Perhaps this election is a sign that the moral compass has hit its negative apogee and is swinging back towards reason and virtuous insight. We can only hope.
Jim and I were so moved by the email that Eunice forwarded to us. Jim shared it with many of his coworkers at his architectural firm. Many of them, with kids your daughter's age, were moved as well, but also cautiously wondered if their kids lived to the same standards that we preach and believe. Elections and politics are so important. I jokingly say that Election Day is my "superbowl" (not really being a sports-minded person myself). I just wish that many people who do cheer for sports events were equally as moved by elections (and the news) as we are. It's that important.
Please send C. our regards. I'm extremely proud, excited, and happy for her and her first election, and with such a fantastic outcome! I was up until 3 am watching the good news! Tired today, but ecstatic.
What fantastic news today! What fantastic news for the future of elections, especially with young adults like C, and her interest.
I remember when my Grandmother first took me to the polling station in Bay Ridge. She actually took me to the polling booth, and I got to see who she voted for. It was 1980, and I was about 14. It was the Carter vs. Reagan election. I had even written to Jimmy Carter for a signed photograph that election year. I still have it and cherish it. However, I was so disappointed that my Grandmother voted for Reagan that year, but still overly glad to step into a voting booth. Thankfully she did not go for Reagan the second go round, and she pretty consistently voted Democratic thereafter. Eunice may tell you how election and politics-oriented I am (and very liberal leaning), but I really owe my interests in politics to my Grandmother, and am grateful that she took me to the polls early on.
What a difference it makes, getting kids interested early on. You must be so proud of her.
Please share this with your daughter and whomever else.
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