A lot of things are different now. 12 years have passed, and I still have regrets. I live in Miami, and I can still remember my ballot being driven to Tallahassee on live television for the recount. I know firsthand how much damage a few hundred lost votes can do to our country. It was partially my fault. In 2000 I was lazy and I did nothing to support the Democratic candidate.
Not this time.
This time I have grandkids, and I want them to live in a world where their mom and their grandfather can continue to work in strong public schools. I want them to be able to be valued by something more than a standardized test. I want them to participate in a culture of tolerance and love, fully immersed in all the beauty of humanity.
So this diary is very short and very sweet. I must get back to working the phones and drumming up every vote I possibly can for Democratic candidates. When we lost by a few votes here in Florida in 2000, it was partially my fault. I could have done more, and that might have been enough. The damage that was done in the following 8 years was tragic, and it felt even worse because I had regrets from not doing as much as I could.
Not this time.