104 Years
I used to love the presidential election. I have said more than once that it is my favorite sport!
As I've gotten older, I've enjoyed them less and less. I think, over time, I've lost my tolerance for buffoonery.
That being said, I think elections are important. No matter the party with which you are affiliated, whether you are voting for or against someone, the right to vote matters, and your vote matters despite the naysayers who will tell you all elections are rigged and that it is a statistical problem.
Call me an optimist, but even if it's all rigged, I want to know that I showed up for myself, my family, and my neighbors. I want to go and cast my vote, knowing I put my opinion out there. I was counted. One hundred four years ago, I wouldn't have been.
Women have been allowed to vote in my home state of Tennessee for only 104 years.
Tennessee was the 36 state to ratify the amendment to ensure people couldn’t get turned away at the voting booth because of their sex.
It seems that if you want to gain control of a people, you must convince them that they don't matter. You must convince them that their vote doesn't matter and that they're not smart enough to contribute to a body that keeps the country running.
So, I vote because we all matter.
Happy Election Day 2024.