On a day as fraught with peril and opportunity as this, one likes to trot out George Bernard Shaw’s old chestnut that “democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” Well, I respectfully disagree. The American people have yet another chance to break the stranglehold of the most manipulative, corrupt, anti-American group of politicians in this nation’s recent memory. We can choose freedom and civil liberties. We can choose fiscal responsibility. We can choose science and security and responsible environmental stewardship. We can even choose choice.

But I’m afraid that, as usual, we won’t.

It may be that the cowards and sheep and blind patriots, the easily fooled and selfishly well-off among us deserve more of the same catastrophic governance that has made this country history’s hypocrite. But many of us deserve better, much better. Considering how interconnected we all are, the world deserves better.

Please remember that when you cast a vote, your choice has vast repercussions. As a citizen of this democracy, your vote is your responsibility. Please think long and hard before you cast it. Vote based on truth, not propaganda, on facts, not gut instinct. If not for yourself, do it for the kids. They deserve better. Mine certainly do…

Calvin and Hobbes

UPDATE 11/8: I feel a lot better now!