"It's been a part of the American experience to know that its future is better than its past...Let us begin that future for America tonight."

I voted early, and nearly ran once we parked the car to get in line outside of the Utah County Health building, to wait patiently for my own turn at the polls. I'll have to be honest in admitting that regardless of what the majority of my fellow Americans vote tonight, and even though I so desperately hope that the next President of the United States will be Governor Mitt Romney, I felt proud (as I'm sure we all do) that I was voting as an American first and foremost, for a future of a country that I so gratefully and proudly believe in.

politicalness.

I shy away from any talk of my political beliefs, because chances are some of you might agree, a lot of you may disagree, and I probably won't sway anyone's opinions regardless.
But I'm going to go for it again anyway.

A lot of people care about a lot of different things: some people find passion in women's rights, in going green, even in saving the dolphins... But somewhere down the line, my interest and passion took root in politics. I have asked myself once or twice why I didn't major in political science? Whatever the reason, it's a big mystery to us all. Whether it was seeing my parents involvement, September 11th, the 8th grade debate team, I really couldn't say; but something, somewhere down the line was triggered and has since been something that has mattered to me so much that I physically feel this need, this impulse to voice my opinion, to stand up and to say something.

I think this drives Max crazy to be honest. In fact, I know it does. He makes me turn off the TV when I start getting antsy, and then we have to play a round of tennis when Obama has frustrated me again, (which lately has been a lot). I know my friends have always joked about it (they just need to ask me about socialized Obamacare) and truth be told, a lot of them just don't find interest in it. I can't entirely blame them I guess, because I don't have much to say about saving the trees either.

But what I do have to say, no matter who it is, no matter your interests, no matter your party affiliations, no matter what basically: (and I am shamelessly going to use my small soap box online to say it right here right now,) is that we all have an obligation to vote. Many of us know it is our privilege, but that is exactly what makes it so much more of our responsibility.

In the 2008 election, only 64% of people in the United States eligible to vote actually went to the polls; Utah had the lowest voter turn out rate in ALL the county (53%), yet so many of us just don't! So many people say it won't make a difference! Utah will be a Romney state no matter what. New York will vote for Obama. Some say there's a little bit more of a reason to vote in a swing state like Florida or Colorado ... but as for my generation, the generation who will be the most affected by everything going on right now: today, tomorrow, this presidential election... We are the one's least likely out of all the age groups who will actually get registered, and get out to vote. If statistics are right, only half of us will this upcoming November 6th. So I'm pleading with all of you who read this: Just go do it. Vote.

I know this sounds crazy, but I care so much I could cry. I truly believe that this is one election where things will actually drastically change depending on whose elected President of the United States of America. Things will be very different one way or another four years from now.

I love this country, I love what it stands for, and I love that we are the children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of heroes who have fought and died and lived for an idea that they believed in and that they'd put their life on the line for: for freedom to speak, to act, to choose, and to live. We are privileged and we are obligated to go out and make our vote count, not only because we can, but because so many hundreds of thousands of people never could, never have, and never may be able to. So please, please, please - just do it. Register. Wake up early to beat the lines on November sixth. Go make your vote. Use your voice. I know this entire post may sound like a public announcement ad -- but out of all the many things I believe in, the United States of America is right there at the top of the list.

(Print can be found via)

politcally incorrect most likely, but i'll give it a go.

(picture from our girls trip to visit this lovely lady back east two years ago...can't believe it's been that long!)

This year on my new years resolution list, I added: watch the morning news.

This was mainly because a lot of the information I get about current affairs is usually from my parents stressing out about the U. S. of A far, far away; so I decided that I'd like to become more aware because it's important (for me, at least) to be informed, and to think about things for myself.

And I don't like to get too political, mainly because as I've mentioned before, once I get going, I really get going, and then blogging would become more aggravating than relaxing... (just ask my friend Austin about our discussions on becoming future presidential campaign running mates, I tend to get overanxious) -- however I just have a few things to say for today, simply because it matters to me.

1. Donald Trump (future president? really?) - Although agreeable on several issues, (like your plan of action regarding China) you need to drop the "birthing" issue when it comes to Obama. He wasn't my first choice either, and I think he's creating a financial disaster (understatement), but whether he was born in Kenya or Hawaii is beside the point now.

2. I am really, really liking a lot of what Mitt Romney has had to say lately.

3. Obama, I like you when I see you interviewed on TV -- a lot. Especially on the Ellen Degeneres show. I wish you were my next door neighbor, even.
But just not the president.

Also on my new years resolution list: (of course) finish the Harry Potter series. And to be honest, regardless of my political frustrations, at the moment Professor Umbridge is far more aggravating than any other political person or party or debate I know*
And she's fictional.


*(except maybe universal health care)

Thank You Mr. President (& a BIG thanks to all my friends)

my dad just sent this to me -
and it made me laugh.today is a much better day.
(ps. sorry if this picture doesn't fit your political views...
but you have to admit, it's pretty funny)


& pps. dear blogging friends,
you are so kind. i never thought that people i don't even know
would have such an impact.
thank you for your kind words and your inspiring thoughts that i love to read daily.
you make work (and life) so much better.