Having served in the Army, I've voted from some interesting locations. Once I was in a pup tent filling out an absentee ballot and trying to keep it dry. My feet were wet, but the ballot made it home and the vote was counted.
I could vote by mail or vote early, but I'm like those old sergeants I met when I first enlisted. On payday, they wanted to see that money counted out. I want to walk to the precinct, greet my neighbors who are working the polls, get that ballot in my hand and have at it. When I'm done I walk over to the box, put the ballot in and say to myself, "Take THAT you bastards." Tomorrow, it will be all the more important since we've lost so many good people in Iraq.
I got this in my e-mail to day from Move On, and I was moved to share it here. Move On takes a lot of heat for being on the Left, as if being on the Left means one hates this country. The e-mail lists five reasons to vote tomorrow. The fifth reason has the most meaning to me and puts their patriotism right out there for all to see:
People died so you'd have the right to vote. Self-government—voting to choose our own leaders—is the original American dream. We are heir to a centuries-long struggle for freedom: the American Revolution, and the battles to extend the franchise to those without property, to women, to people of color, and to young people. This year, many will still be denied their right to vote. For those of us who have that right, it's precious. If we waste it, we dishonor those who fought for it and those who fight still.
Live your values. Love your country. Vote.
I've lost some of those friends. My son has now lost some of them, too.
Vote.