My Participation

So I've been a bit behind in updating on what my participation has been thus far in this seemingly long lasting election season. To be honest, I've been completely exhausted, motivated, moved, thrilled, anxious, angry, and so much more. I've been a roller coaster of emotions during this entire process. The general election always spurs it, but I get to learn a lot more about myself and my beliefs, so for that I'm extremely thankful.

As many of you know, I've been following politics pretty closely since I turned 18. For years, I've wanted to play a more active role in my community by giving my time, I finally did it this year! My friend and I both volunteered for the Democratic party HQ here in LA and registered people to vote during the LA County Fair in September. What an experience that was...I learned more about people during those couple of hours than I have ever wanted to learn! It's a shame to witness so many Americans disrespect each other -so much malice for the other team. So many people have forgotten that this is what's wonderful about being an American -living in a democracy! We each have the right to support whomever we feel fits our needs. Granted, it's frustrating when people don't see it your way, but that's when you use your brain and make logical arguments (and oftentimes the art of persuasion) to educate those who oppose your thoughts -to show them your point of view. There's no need to point fingers, glare, shout profanities, steal lawn signs, etc. We can't stoop to this level of malice and degradation when someone doesn't possess the same views we do -this is intolerance. It's everything America shouldn't be. If we start it in this arena, in such a monumentous election, where will it end?

I'm proud to be an Obama supporter. I'm proud to be a Democrat -but moreover, I'm very proud to be an American. I hope through this entire process, people can scratch away the topical issues and see that the problems we encounter on a daily basis lies much deeper than our President's race, age, sex, and political affiliation. 9/11 was the first time in my short lived life that I witnessed how cohesive and how united we were as a country. Aren't the rising problems of our economy and environment, the war, global human rights (to name a few) enough to get us to unite like that again?

I don't agree with very many things on the McCain platform, but I welcome any discussion of those who do. I urge other Obama supporters to do the same.