E Day

The best election sticker I've seen so far.
Click here for the site.

It's Election Day in the US today. I really hope that a record number of people vote. Coming from a country where voting is compulsory, the idea of choosing not to have a say in who runs your country is a foreign concept to me, a crazy one. The way I see it is, if you don't vote, then I don't want to hear you whinge for the next four years about your government. Got it? Cool.

I'm not a US citizen, therefore I can't vote in this election. Neither can J. That doesn't stop me from having an opinion on who I want to see in office. We are legal residents here, and as a family, we pay our taxes - just like any other US citizen - so we are just as much affected by policies regarding the economy and health care.

I have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to politics, but I'm also a big believer in democracy. No leader or candidate is perfect, and mistakes will be made along the way. There's no point putting anyone up on a pedestal... however, I have everything crossed that Obama will see another term in office. I feel that he has more interest in the greater good of society - unlike Romney, who seems to be mostly about protecting the wealthy and not caring much for women's rights or equality in general. Not to mention the flip-flopping he's done over recent years on major issues. How can anyone place confidence in him? Perhaps there are some redeeming features to him, but I'm unaware.

So there you have it. I identify as a liberal - by US definitions, not Australian (how come the Liberal Party in Australia is so conservative? Talk about misrepresentation). I will be holding my breath as this election plays out.

Fingers and toes crossed.