Will you be counted?

It goes without saying that there is an election coming up. Even I, sleep deprived and barely functioning, realize that a presidential election is on the board for next Tuesday. If I hadn't already known it, the girls would have told me, as their first grade classes have been discussing the candidates. Thanks to the pamphlet that came home with them last week, we now know that John McCain likes Mexican food, while Barack Obama likes chili. Well, I like both of those, so I guess I can't use food preferences as my litmus test.

Actually, I am not taking this election that lightly. As with every presidential election, I try to think about which person I think will do the best job for the country and for me. I never agree 100% with either of the candidates, and sometimes, I don't agree with either of them very much at all. This time is no different. But like I tell my kids, "Voting is a private matter, and I don't have to tell anyone which lever I'll pull." Furthermore, I am not going to tell you who to vote for, either.

But if I could find out more information about candidates, I'd vote for someone that had these characteristics (listed in no particular order):

-Doesn't believe everything they read
-Stands up for what they believe
-Listens to what the other person has to say, even if they don't agree
-Is generous with time, talent, and if they are able, money
-Respects ALL life: insects, trees, people, the earth
-Thinks independently
-Thinks judiciously
-Judges not the other person
-Realizes that everyone is special...we're just born that way
-Doesn't underestimate anyone, regardless of what they look like

I could go on, but I actually have work to do.

But please, get out and vote, whatever your vote may be!