First Election!

Dear Conor,

On Tuesday, November 6, 2012 you accompanied your Daddy and I as we made our way to the polls to cast our vote for the President/VP and various other political figures. 

While your Daddy might feel that a single person's vote does not count this Mom truly feels differently.  There were people generations back that fought very hard for the right to vote and it is privilege that each person should take advantage of.  However, that being said your Mommy feels that people need to be making EDUCATED choices and not simply voting along party lines, for friends, for whatever name sounds better, or for whomever is already in office (or alternatively who is not currently in office). 

As an example.  Your Daddy and I truly like a specific politician for our district.  He was termed out of his current seat and therefore was running for a federal position.  We had some questions for him and through those questions learned that while he was in favor of some things we were there were others that we felt even stronger about (that were not included in his platform because they are controversial) that he was against.  Therefore we could not vote for him.  Had we not checked into his website and followed up with questions we might never have learned this information.

I hope to raise you to not just be a voter but to be an educated voter......

Your first trip to the polls was a great one.  We went when there would be no lines and therefore we breezed right in.  I wore you in our Kinderpack on the front so that you would be able to see all the action.

Once we cast our ballot we even got some information on a community garden that is being started up.....we put our names on the mailing list for more information about getting a little plot of land!  It will be fun to meet some neighbors and get some gardening help :)  You received a sticker on the way out that said "Future Voter" I saved it for you in your baby book!

I hope you will continue to come with Daddy and I to vote and as you get older perhaps you can participate in the process of learning about the candidates!

Election Day Hugs!
Mommy

PS.  President Obama won the election and will continue as President for another 4 years.