Election Day!!

Today I had the privilege of going and casting my vote for various local and national races. I have been accused at times of being naively patriotic, something that doesn't bother me in the least. I believe we live in a beautiful, amazing country and are incredibly blessed to do so. Our country is far from perfect but it is fundamentally good and we are lucky enough to enjoy many freedoms others only dream of. I think a lot of the time we complain about things like gas prices, corrupt politics, and an unstable Wall Street, without stopping to think of all the blessings we enjoy. We often forget or take for granted the freedoms, rights, and privileges that are ours as citizens of this great country. We choose what or who to believe, we choose how to live, we choose how to raise our families. I have had people tell me "You live in Idaho your vote doesn't count, or with the electoral vote you don't matter." I beg to differ - my vote counts, I can make a difference and unless I exercise that right and let my voice be known I have no right to complain when I don't like the way things are. Countless men and women suffered and died and continue to do so, so that I can have a voice, so that I can cast my vote. I don't think a half hour out of my day to take the time to exercise a right and a privilege that many men and women around the world would kill for is an inconvenience or too much to ask. I am and always will be fiercely patriotic and eternally grateful for the right to vote as a citizen of the United States.