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Election Day

© Jody Hart Lehrer

Today is election day. We have to choose between a liar and a dimwit. I am glad to have an option. They are always welcome. Too bad the VP candidates are not on the ballot in the top spot. At least they are intelligent and straightforward. Then we would simply need to focus on the ISSUES. (Whatever they may be.)

Oh, to be six again. President who? What do you mean "ballot initiative?" My daughter is blissfully unaware.

She actually knows what a voter's booth is. I have taken her with me on several occassions, shown her the ballot cards. Told her what it means to vote ("it means picking who you want to have a certain job or picking what you want to happen with a certain issue - the ban on dog racing, for instance).

My daughter knows the power of choice. Each day, in one way or another, I sing the praises of "choice" to her. "You have the power to make the right choice!" I say. "You can choose to listen or not!" I explain. I tell her the repercussions of making the WRONG choice (lost privileges or opportunities).

It is so important for children to know how powerful they are. That they can affect their own lives, both in the long term and the short. It is critical to let children know that there are consequences to their choices. "If you decide to ignore me, you cannot stay up and watch that movie" or "If you decide to pick up your toys, you can help me bake a cake."

Thankfully, Hannah is a bright child, and a quick study. She knows that choices must be made wisely. She understands the game. It isn't that others control her destiny. It is that she has a tremendous hand in the turn of events. "If I help you with this, I can watch that movie." The choice is hers.

I wish that I could say the same for those office-seekers for whom we are voting today. They waffle; they vacillte; they hedge. They do not understand that they must lead, make a choice, and make it wisely. It is a crap shoot for them.

If they blur the lines enough, then maybe they will not be held accountable. "Oh, he didn't say THAT!" The problem is that some people never have the moxie to go on record, to take a firm stance. Hey, what if history proves me wrong?

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