Two days ago, we voted as a family. Karen and I take a great deal of pride in teaching our kids the importance of civic engagement, so the four of us piled into the car and drove to the local elementary school, our voting station. Our country really does seem to have this voting thing down. Our polling station was convenient and efficient. We were in, we voted, and we were out.
I did miss the local Girls Scout troop that sold cookies in the lobby last year. What could be more American than exercising our right to vote followed by a thin mint, trefoil, and samoa (or caramel delight, depending on the packaging.) But alas (or ‘a lass’), there were none this year. Oh well.
After voting, we watched the Peanuts special You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown, potentially the least appreciated of the Charlie Brown specials. A bonus feature on the dvd of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, it’s a great lesson in politics and covers polling, electability, and scandal (Linus nearly torpedoes his chances when he declares his belief in the Great Pumpkin during the debate and his polls plummet.)
While my kids are only one and three, I’d like to think they have begun developing an appreciation for democracy. How great if President-elect Obama is really the transformational politician and president he aspires to be? What a powerful lesson to all kids on the power of voting – to see a candidate make a significant impact on the life of our country and its citizens.
I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘Mac & Cheese.’
