Elections and the like . . . Vote for Mena 2044

For much of the past few months both Don and I have been Election crazed. Don has spent hours watching maps of the electoral college change on a daily basis and reading about John Adams. I've spent lots of time listening to him talk about these activities and what he's learning. It has been an exciting time to be be an American voter. This has been the first time in awhile where you didn't feel like you had to choose a candidate because you were frightened by the other other candidate. This has been a time where you felt confident in the candidate and you also felt that it was alright if you didn't see eye to eye with him on every issue. To see the apathy of the majority of Americans toward politics and government slowly shift to into action for involvement has been astounding. So much palpable energy and enthusiasm. People who would not normally get involved were out stumping the streets and getting out the vote.

To commemorate Election day, Don made his way to the polls at 6 am. I chose an easier route and taught both of my ESL classes about the Electoral College System. We re-convened at home last night to watch the return together with the kids. It seems weird to say it, but it was so very very exciting. There were moments of doubt as the first reports from polls came in and the newscaster began to make their predictions. I couldn't help but doubt, wonder how the Democrats might "snatch defeat from the mouths of victory" (to quote Don). Being a crazed 21st century family while we were watching TV flitching between networks both Don and I were on separate computer. He was checking online predictions and changing his Facebook status while I read and wrote tweets. What's so interesting about the role of technology in this election is that it enabled us while sitting here in our living room to feel so very connected to all of the other people sitting in their living rooms. This election was not happening to us we were involved at every minute of the election with so many other people who were just as keen and interested in its results.

American citizens paid attention to this election like it was "American Idol". That might sound trite or hypocritical (I'm no super citizen) of me, but really it's a compliment. People have been talking about this Election at the water cooler, at the bus stop, at the coffee shop, and on the internets in a way that gives me hope in the renewed engagement of individuals in the welfare the entire nation not just their little corner of it.

We were talking with R the other day about how he was born during the lame duck days of the Clinton presidency. Hard to believe that most of his life and all of M's have been the Bush years (swallowed a little vomit in my mouth). Last night marks the dawning of a new day for those babes and that makes me smile.

And lest we forget it's never too early to start a grassroots campaign.

VOTE FOR MENA