Will I Vote?

I have waited 18 years to vote. I have read stories of citizens in oppressed lands who risk life and limb who stood in line for the mere chance to vote and influence change in their governments. My right to vote is a cherished privilege. To abstain would be to spit in the faces of those who cannot vote, as well as those who sacrificed their lives for my right to vote. I feel proudly obligated to cast my vote. Besides, there is at least one very ill-informed American out there whose vote I cannot wait to cancel out.

I do not necessarily believe that McCain or Obama can prevent further political and economical turmoil (though I think one will be more effective in his efforts), but I feel, as I said, obligated and proud to participate in the democratic (or more accurately Republic I suppose) process. I know that all politicians would say anything to get elected, so it is very difficult to trust either candidate to stay true to his campaign words. I will vote for the one I think will best represent my view. I will vote because I want to have a hand in nudging Bush out of office; and in a few years when McCain comes under heavy fire for his Bush-esque policies, I will be able to say that I did not vote for him; but still I will have voted.