So at last, the end is near. On Tuesday we will collectively change the course of America and elect either Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain as the next President of the United States. After 2 years of nearly non-stop campaigning, hundreds of millions of dollars spent on advertising, and near media saturation by both candidates over the past few weeks, the end is finally in sight.

As I sit here tonight listening to the American Roots “Singing and Swinging the Election 2008” radio program, I can really see that a revolution has been taking place in small towns, suburbs and big cities across this country. Sitting here, listening to Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, and Ralph Stanley sing protest songs about rising up as a nation and taking back the reigns of power, I feel a sense of change is in the air. Revolutions don’t just happen -they require the commitment, strength, energy, funds, and sweat-equity of ordinary people. And at this time in our history, the ordinary people of this country are standing up for that in which they believe, and while we don’t all believe in the same things, the fact that so many people have taken the time to stand up for their beliefs is powerful.

It took me most of this year to really warm up to him, but in the past few months I have been increasingly moved by Barack Obama’s compassion and understanding of the American people, by his vision for the future of this nation, and by his plea for personal responsibility, engagement and support from each and every one of us. I appreciate the fact that Senator Obama is a populist – that he believes regular people can change the country for the better -? and that he seems to understand his greatest strength is the citizenry of this country. And while I am tired of the radio and TV commercials, annoyed by the glossy flyers that land in my mailbox, and repulsed by the daily attacks by both parties, I know that the end is near.

So here is my message to any and all reading this post – whatever you do on Tuesday, please make sure you VOTE! If you don’t vote, you give up your voice in the debate, and you relinquish a little piece of your personal power. Our government is “…of the people, by the people, for the people,” and in order to be included in the process, every eligible citizen needs to get out and vote! And while this post is not specifically related to the environment or green buying, the outcome of this election will very much impact the future of this nation and this planet’s environmental well-being.

I have already written about both Obama and McCain’s environmental viewpoints and policies, and I have no problem stating that a vote for Obama is a vote for responsible, scientifically sound environmental policies that will benefit all of our futures. With this election, you have the opportunity to do what is best for the the planet and all of its inhabitants, so do your civic duty and vote on Tuesday, November 4!

Here’s to hope and a community activist who really believes in the power of the people!

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am and is filed under Good Ideas Series, Green Politics, Mainstream and Green. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.