Election Day

"Election Day 2008"

Today is election day. The day that our founding fathers created so that each citizen's voice could be heard. I've been intensely teaching my social studies classes about the constitution and the voting process. Every September I require my students to learn and recite the preamble by memory. I love it when this project is assigned because it involves having them go around to 75 different people and recite the preamble by memory. The person that listened to the student recite the preamble then signs their name to a paper. You'll see fifth graders all over the school asking different teachers, administrators, and even the superintendent to listen to them recite the preamble. I've heard through the "grapevine" (aka parents) that the papers have been brought to church and students have recited the preamble during a special time during the service. I've also really focused on teaching the electoral college. I think my students have a clue about the electoral college process which is wonderful since most adults don't understand it!

I got up an hour earlier today so that I could leave and get to our voting poll by 6 a.m. I stood in a line that went out the doors and around the building. It was freezing cold at 6 a.m., but the pride in my country I felt during that 40 minute wait was overwhelming. I loved hearing the various conversations around me...all political. People were pumped about this election. People realized the historical importance of this particular election. People knew that their vote did indeed make a difference.

No, the presidential candidate I voted for did not win. Am I disappointed? Yes, of course. I have my concerns about our country. I realize, though, that my vote made a difference because it allowed my voice to be heard. I was helping the legacy our founding fathers created for this country continue.

I am thankful to live in a democracy.

I am thankful and proud to be an American.