I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to quite a few different countries. I’ve read a lot of history. And I can tell you with utter certainty that Americans are some of the luckiest people in the world and in history. Don’t take for granted your right to vote.

Eighteen year olds got the right to vote when I was in high school. I spent part of my senior year earning twenty-five cents for every person I registered (it was 1972; I’ll save you the trouble- I’ll be 54 one month from tomorrow). I have never missed an election, except for a couple of times when I was new to an area and couldn’t vote knowledgeably. So I can complain all I want.

I believe that tomorrow’s election will decide the future of our country for the next generation and, yes, I’m voting for the young black guy with the funny ears. But whether you agree with me or not- VOTE!

Before we are liberals or conservatives; before we are Americans; before we are men or women; we are fellow human beings living our unique lives on this big, beautiful blue planet. Whatever the outcome, let’s find common ground where we can work together “with malice towards none and charity for all”.