Proud Dad ! ! ! !

Well it's November 4th, Election Day. While I'm glad this day has come, I'll be even happier when it's gone. I'm worn to a frazzle by campaign ads, complicated rhetoric, and ad de-generation from mud slinging to "Poo Slinging". BUT.... there is a very bright spot in this day for me.

This morning I had the pleasure of accompanying my daughter to her first election.
I remember a couple of days before I turned 18 ( which was a long time ago ), my Pop reminded me that on my Birthday I needed to get 2 things done, register to vote and register for Selective Service ( the Draft ). I have no idea whether my Pop was proud of me for doing it, but he did ask if I got it done.

Sometimes it's the little things for Dad's that makes us proud of our kids. This was one for me.
She had asked lots of questions about canidates and issues, I answered as best I could. She also had talked with friends and others at work just like the rest of us. The important thing is, she registered AND followed through with her commitment, priveledge, and duty as a citizen.

I believe when our kids take that step from just registering to actually going through the process, we as parents need to realize that we have witnessed our young ones stepping out and stepping up to their civic duty as Americans. They may not be the best informed, they may have not studied the issues as thoroughly as many older citizens, but they did participate.

In my family, "if you don't vote, don't gripe", Courtney will now have the right to voice her opinion, her beliefs, her protest, and her praise of her government with the clear conscience of a citizen of the United States of America. Yes, I'm very proud that I had the honor of accompanying her on this "first".

I have a pretty good idea on how she voted based on her questions and views she had stated previously. But.. in the end... to me it matters less about who she voted for and more that she voted for who and what she thought was best for our country.

I also believe that we as parents should, when asked by our kids, about issues, we do our level best to present the facts in an unbiased way. Don't just say vote for this one because of this, or you can't vote for that one because of that. We have a responsibility to teach them to reason, follow their conscience, and think for themselves.

Anyway... enough of that....

I will end with this though because I can't resist.....she did take a conservative view

hehe snicker snicker.... take that obama