A letter to my child

Dear Sam-- Today is the most important presidential election in your life. Now I say this, knowing full well that you likely haven't been born yet. That being said, I have thought of you everyday of this election cycle. Let me explain:
Women and minorities didn't always have the right to vote in elections. As crazy as that sounds, until the 20th century, only white men were allowed to vote in the United States. But then, women and minorities, as well as sympathetic white men, began protesting and moving to change the law. Overtime, men and women of all races, fought at home and abroad in wars, to ensure that democracy stayed alive and well in America, and freedoms were ensured for all. The laws were then changed, and soon women, and then citizens of all races, were recognized as having the RIGHT and PRIVILEGE to vote for public office.

Now, it is important to remember the history of voting rights in this nation. That is because your father and I believe, and our parents believed and taught us, that voting is a sacred right and privilege, one we cannot take lightly. When you vote, you not only vote for the candidates you feel will best undertake the job at hand, but you also honor and respect those who fought, sacrificed and gave their lives for the right to vote. No matter what you learn in school, what you learn about the Electoral College, every single vote counts. No matter the election, every single vote counts. One year, not so long ago, about 500-odd votes determined the presidential election. 500 votes!!

So, even though you haven't been born and aren't in our arms, and even though we lived in Illinois which is a traditionally democratic state, and even though Sen Obama is from Illinois and therefore this is not a contested or "swing" state, your father and I voted today. We voted to make our voices known. We voted because it is our civic duty. We voted to respect and honor those who sacrificed for the right to vote. We voted because this election, more than any other, will effect the future for ourselves, our children, our nation and the world. We voted because we care about global warming, gas mileage, food prices, the economy, the jobless rating, and our retirement. We voted because no child should be without healthcare. We voted because no solider should be without healthcare. We voted to improve our communities and our schools. We voted for your future. We voted for you.

When you read this someday, remember we were voting for you even before you were born. And when you are an adult -- VOTE. VOTE for your community, for your schools, for the earth and sky and water, vote for healthcare, and most of all, vote for your children.