On Friday, I became an Iowan again - new drivers license, car title and plates - and the first thing I did was walk across the Dallas County parking lot to the election office and voted. Why? Because I can. I think so many times we get so wrapped up in the election process that we forget what is at the core of it - people stepping up to help our communities grow and move forward.
Running for office is hard, it is endless hours on the phone, reading emails, answering questions and listening to others' voices. Would you give up your weekends and nights to listen to others and their concerns and challenges? When I ask friends why they run for office, I get almost the same answer every time, "Because I can."
The opportunity to make a difference comes in the smallest and simplest forms - from picking up trash left on the street, to running for city council to running for president. People do these things because they can and in honor for the ones who can't. I know I will probably never run for a election position, I don't have the thick skin for it, but for those who are on the ballot tomorrow - thank you. Thank you for taking the time and putting in the passion to help us make a difference. For those of you who have or will vote - thank you. Thank you for your help in making difference in our communities.
And for those of you thinking about not voting, remember those who wish they could vote and can't. Think about others in countries where they are not allowed to vote on who runs their county. You can and you should make your voice heard on the local, state and national level. It is because we can, that we live in such an amazing country! Get out and vote!
