Monday, November 3, 2008

Teens Who Vote


The government says 18 is the magic age, we are an adult. We can move out of our parents house, join the armed services, get married, get arrested, drive without parental permission and we can Vote.

On this historic election, I have two children going to vote. They have been raised in a household full of civic duty and pride so of course they will vote. As small children I would bundle them up and take them with me. One year I was a poll watcher and all the girls spent the day with me at a an election site. When president Clinton came to town, his secret service men spent hours joking with my son and his best friend about their light up shoes.
Our town has long been an opponent of O'hare expansion and my son at 12 collected signatures and submitted a petition to several elected officials. There is so much more.. they are all civically aware, of course this is not because of tv or radio or even their friends. No this is because they were taught all of their lives about their civic duty.

Now tomorrow we will vote together once again. This time I will proudly walk in with my son, the other will vote as he can, and help get him set up. Watch him walk to the booth and probably cry. A mother's true joy...When did that happen.

Finally their voices will be heard.. what a wonderful thing

3 comments:

  1. My husband and I were talking about we would love to take our daughters with us to vote tomorrow. I would do it too, if only they had not missed 4 days a few weeks ago with strep throat.

    I think it is fabulous that you are all going to vote together,

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  2. My oldest (19) will be voting tomorrow in her college town. I am so glad that she will be making her voice heard with her vote, I only wish we shared political opinions. :)

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  3. That is so cool- I look forward to voting with my boys someday!

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