Did You Vote?

As many Michiganders will tell you, our state fumbled the primaries. If your kids ask what reading Shakespeare or Greek Mythology has to do with life today tell them this: Hubris’ siren is as loud and tempting as it ever was, and it still destroys. Voters in our state who wish to have a say in the Democratic race are basically out of luck. We can blame hubris: Our state officials moved the primary date earlier– essentially because they wanted to be more important players in the political arena – and angered the national Democratic players (it’s so like high school). As a result, our Democratic votes have essentially been rendered unimportant. Republicans have a full slate, but knowing what the Democrats are suffering, it just doesn’t seem right.

So, did I vote? Yes, I voted. I always vote.

Reason #1: I vote because for so very many years, women in America could not. Not smart enough, too emotional, not relevant – a few of the irrational reasons we were given. But mothers, daughters, and sisters fought for this right. They gave of their time and their resources. They sacrificed relationships with family members and friends, who vehemently disagreed, in order to win the right for themselves and for me – not just my dad, husband, and sons - to have a say in the government of our country. And so I vote simply because I can.

Reason #2: I vote because so very many women in the world, today, right now, in 2008, don’t have this right or many others. You can’t logon to CNN.com or read Oprah Magazine without hearing about some new atrocity against women somewhere in our world. The sad truth is that my dog has more rights than some of these women: he has better health care, never goes hungry, and can choose where to sleep at night. He won’t be denied coverage, have to forgo food so other dogs can eat, and he certainly won’t be stoned for choosing the wrong bed. And so I vote, because so many others can’t.

-Kirsetin