Election Day: An American Holiday

Ah … Election Day. For us ordinary citizens, it’s show time.

After an excruciatingly long campaign season, the day to choose the leader of our nation is honorably upon us. It’s about damn time. There is an obligation among citizens to go vote, not just for the country or for a candidate, but to prove to the nation and the world that Americans, together, will make the right decision given current circumstances.

“We can change this country on Nov. 4, two days from now,” said Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama to a crowd of 27,000 people at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. “Understand this, Ohio, we are not as divided as our politics would suggest.  We’re not just a collection of states or a collection of individuals. We’re the United States. We’re a community.

We can steer ourselves out of this crisis.”

School, work, women, men, laundry, disc golfing: these are just obstacles in the way of the primal voting duty we enjoy as citizens of the United States.

For many, this day couldn’t come soon enough – and for some – it’s a day of inspiring jubilation, punishing despair or much-needed relief. There is one thing that’s certainly transparent: it was a day drowned in riveting suspense and eclectic emotion.

I sure can’t wait for the propagandist advertisements to stop too; they’re frying my brain.

Whether it’s Fox News, CNN or MSNBC, all eyes were squeaking across television sets all over the country Nov. 4.

Sure it’s suspenseful waiting to know who the next president will be, but the real treat of Election Day is watching how everything plays out. Crazy things have happened before, and I wouldn’t put it past this one to be just as crazy. Of course we all remember the 2000 election, but in the past there have been irregularities such as polls closing early, for example.

From early voting legitimacy to the integrity of newly registered voters, there was much for the politicians to bicker and bitch about. That is just part of the excitement Election Day brings to Americans.

Election Day clandestinely and remarkably united Americans, despite the fact that we try to identify the traits that best reflect our personal preferences. In effect, Election Day has become the quintessential American holiday.

It’s the ultimate day of expression.

The feeling on Election Day reminds me of Halloween. It’s inconsequential if a costume is blatantly slutty or poorly done, what matters is that an attempt
of personal expression was made. It’s all hunky-dory if an attempt was made.

For example, the well-to-do administrative assistant by day can be the sexy night nurse by night and yet walk into work with her head up high knowing she indulged herself in an event of personal expression.

The same holds true when it comes to Election Day.

Despite our differences – Republican, Democrat, white or black – it’ll all be kosher as long as you cast your vote. Regardless of party affiliation, the minimum reasonable expectation for citizens is voting.

“Look at this crowd, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Democrat, Republican, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, disabled, not disabled. That’s what America is about,” Obama said.

On Election Days, the mind- set must be to do whatever is necessary to make it to the polls. Skip a class, a meal, a date, a meeting, whatever. Sacrifice time out of the busy schedules we all share, and partake in the most monumental election of our time. Feel good about your decision and don’t second-guess.

Our goal as Americans is to decide what’s in the best interest of our community.
In closing, I leave you with this quote: “A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote in a national election” – Bill Vaughan, syndicated columnist for the Kansas City Star from 1946 until his death in 1977.

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