Rachel loves to vote. She has been visiting politicians and capitol buildings and talking to legislators since she could barely walk.  She has gone with us to the polls, rallies, town hall meetings, and even a few strategy meetings. Political discussion is common in our world.  At our house, you are expected to vote.

We discuss the issues and the candidates with Rachel. Living in the Kansas City area, we get the opportunity to hear the political ads for two states instead of one. She pays attention to those commercials. She likes people to get along and has expressed her displeasure with some of the commercials.

We also print off a sample ballot for her to take with her to the voting precinct.  We go over each one and she highlights the person or issue she wants to vote on.  I went out to run some errands and came back and she had completed her ballot. I reviewed it. I ask her why she chose some of the people she did, and she had a reason each time.  She was proud of her ballot.

Jonathan and I love the show “Madam Secretary.” Perhaps, my all-time favorite scene is from a few weeks ago.  Madam Secretary’s daughter Alison says she didn’t vote because her candidate had dropped an issue from his priorities.  Madam Secretary has a few things to say to her daughter:

Alison: “My generation is not putting up with hypocrites anymore.”

Madam Secretary:  “Oh I get it. Your guy compromised and now you’re checking out of the process completely?”

Alison: “There will be other elections.”

“Nope, huh uh,”says Madam Secretary as she snatches a magazine from her daughter’s hands.  “I’m sorry you were disillusioned. Get used to it Alison because democracy is flawed. And the next candidate who doesn’t let you down will be the first. I just flew halfway around the world to recover the bodies of patriots who gave their lives to protect this country. They died along with hundreds of thousands of Americans in too many wars so Alison McCord could have the right to vote, and you won’t honor that because your guy caved on a single issue?

When Rachel gets home from her classes today, she and I will go to our precinct and proudly cast our ballots.  We will vote for many flawed candidates because like the fictional Secretary of State said, “Democracy is flawed.” And like she said, hundreds of thousands of Americans have fought and died in too many wars so Rachel, Jawanda Mast, and YOU would have the right to vote.