As I sit here in my apartment in France on this sixth day of November, I can't help but be nervous about what the seventh day of November will have waiting for me. Today is a big day for America an election that will indeed show which direction we as Americans want our great nation to go.
We all have our reasons why we cast our ballots for a particular person or party. It's our right as Americans to do so and I respect the opinions of my fellow citizens even if they are opposite of mine.
Kyle and I have been following this election very closely, and it seems that no matter how hard we try not to talk about politics it always finds its way into the conversation. We both lean to the side of the Democratic Party. Each having our own reasons why, Kyle's concerns mostly focus on healthcare and national security. As my concerns also include healthcare and national sercurity, my main concern is civil rights.
I believe that no matter your sex, your race, your creed or who you love should have any effect on what rights you should have as an American. I mean because aren't "all men created equal", sadly some don't believe that to be true. I fear that if President Obama isn't relected our progressive country will take a major step backwards. We've made so much progress in the last four years when it comes to these simple rights.
Over dinner one night I said to Kyle, "I can't imagine having a son or daughter denied their rights as an American simply because of who they love." It simply boggles my mind and no matter what you believe in, I think we all want our children to grow up treated equally.
I don't know if it was growing up in New York City, where my parents taught my siblings and I to open our minds to everything. I don't know if it was working in Manhattan for seven years, working with people of all races, friends that were gay, straight, bisexual, they were all the same to me, they are my friends. I never judged, I was taught as a Catholic to love thy neighbor. I don't know if it's been Kyle and I living all over Europe the last three years, seeing that no matter where you come from, everyone is just trying to get by. Maybe it's a combination of all three that makes me think the way I do and makes me feel so strongly when it comes to the topic of civil rights.
So today I chose Obama, maybe he will be victorious perhaps he won't. The outcome will never change my view. I believe in forward thinking, I believe in hope for my children who yet to exsist, that they will be allowed the same rights as their fellow Americans. I believe in helping people who are sturggling and that if I make a little more money then some, maybe I can give a little more back to my country to make it a great country, better than it already is.
I've seen over the past week in my hometown of Staten Island, which was devastated by hurricane Sandy, how everyone came together no matter what their differances are and helped each other. That's America, that's what we are about, helping people who need it. Strangers helping strangers, how beautiful! That's what it is all about.
Note: I just want to thank Kyle for putting up with me the last few months, especially while watching the debates. He had to calm me down on more than one occasion and he still wants to marry me. What a keeper!
