This morning Susan and I took the kids along to vote. The polling place for us is just up the street at the kids’ elementary school (they are off for the day). At first, the kids were protesting wildly as they had settled in under blankets for a morning of cartoons and realized that is was chilly outside – it was before 7am. But when we got there they were so excited to go into the voting booth with us, pull the switches for the candidates and then the big lever to actually cast the vote. On the way back they had lots of questions and were in great spirits, clearly appreciating that this was something special and important. I doubt they will remember the difference between voting for state representative and US representative, but hopefully they will remember why this is a historic election.
Susan and I were in great spirits also. It just feels great to vote for a candidate you are truly excited about. It was especially exciting for me. Not only was this my first presidential election since becoming a US citizen, but Obama’s candidacy perfectly captures the reasons why I love this country. From my very first time in the States as an exchange student in Rochester, Minnesota, I identified with the sense that anything is possible. Sure, naysayers do exist, but compared to my home country, they tend to be few and far in between. This could easily be a view warped by personal experience, but I recall how often conversations in Germany would focus on reasons why something could not be accomplished, posed big risks, was a bad idea, etc. In the US, there is much less talk and more action and the talk there is, tends to focus on how to get things done, make them better and look to the future.
My own posts in the last few days about all the debt that has accumulated in the economy may sound gloomy (in the German tradition). And I do believe the road ahead is tough. But instead of being daunted and paralyzed by this, I feel energized by the possibilities for profound and lasting change that a deep crisis like this represents. Energy independency. Affordable health insurance. Investment in education. Yes, it will be difficult to pay for, but those like David Brooks in today’s NY Times who focus on scarcity miss an important point. There is huge pent up demand to do something meaningful. That is why I am hoping for a landslide victory by Obama. I am hoping for him to rectify the single biggest failure of the Bush administration since 9-11, which is to call on the resourcefulness and spirit of the American people at large; to ask for personal sacrifice from everyone (not just those serving in the armed forces and their families) and unleash the kind of tidal wave of involvement, innovation and improvement that this country is capable of.
