As I write this in the first minutes of Tuesday, November 4, 2008, I realize that I am — for the first time in my memory — really looking forward to this election day. There’s a buzz, an energy, an enthusiasm surrounding this presidential contest that I have never witnessed, and in the midst of all of our country’s troubles it is uplifting to see so many regular people recognize the importance of their duty to vote. I have mostly phased out politics on this blog, but I would be remiss to let this date pass unobserved, even on my own tiny little corner of the Internet.

What’s different about this election? Well, aside from the country being in dire financial straits, I think the candidates themselves represent a fairly distinct change from what we’ve seen over the last couple decades. Since I’ve been following politics, this is the first time we’ve had two candidates that I can truly — if I reach deep down — respect, at least on some level.

I strongly disagree with most of the policies and the dirty campaign McCain has run, but I’ve been watching the guy long enough — 10 years or so, I think — that I know he’s not a bad man. I think he got sucked in by the Bush-era Republican political handlers, who are for the most part parasitical non-humans, but at his core he’s at least intelligent and for the most part honorable, or at least as honorable as you can expect many politicians to be. Those are two qualities that, at the presidential level, you’d have to go back to at least Reagan, if not further. Unfortunately, since he started running for president those two qualities have been diminished by the structure and tenor of his whole campaign. Picking a wacko like Sarah Palin doesn’t help. It’s also refreshing to see the Republican party pick a candidate who doesn’t completely pander (read: lie) to the far right about religion just to get their votes.

My respect for McCain doesn’t make me any less passionate about my support for Obama, however. Here’s the guy who’s mostly responsible for energizing this election. Extremely intelligent, fresh, straightforward, and not afraid to confront the numbers (I like specifics), something that McCain’s handlers rarely allow into speeches for some reason (his and Palin’s speeches are mostly interminable soundbites). More than any politician I’ve ever heard, I think he actually believes the stuff he says, and more importantly understands it. And whatever disagreements I have with some of his ideas, there’s no denying the fact that this guy is probably this generation’s Kennedy in terms of revitalizing a dormant political demographic. We need this political shot in the arm to give people who have been depressed about the idiocy of the past eight years a chance to regain interest and maybe — just maybe — some degree of faith in our government. Hey, it’s not completely impossible.

Look folks, no one’s the “perfect” candidate, and just because someone supports one side doesn’t mean they agree 100% with everything that candidate stands for — remember that before you attack someone for their political standing. But if I agree with 80% of what one candidate says and 40% of the other candidate, who do you think I’ll vote for? I’ll respect anyone’s vote, no matter who it’s for, as long as you make an active choice. Those of you who have been around here for awhile know what I think of automatic straight-party voting: that’s not making a choice, that’s being a sheep. Don’t always vote for one party or the other, just because it’s that party. Look at the candidates, make a real decision.

So go vote, encourage others to vote, and respect their choice. Voting is the most basic, fundamental tool in our democracy — exercise it! No matter how long you have to stand in line today, know this: we’re all in this together. Please, do your part. It’s OK to get truly patriotic every once in awhile, really.

Personally, I think we’re about to see a pretty sizable victory for our first black president in history, and (his gimmicky campaign slogan notwithstanding) some significant change to what we’ve become accustomed to under the Bush regime, one of the most secretive, criminally abusive, and negligent administrations to ever occupy the executive branch.

Here’s hoping, anyway. Best of luck to everyone on what’s sure to be a day of historic turnout.

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.