Why should you vote on election day?
Because
your neighbor
who complains about your lawn
votes.
Because
your mother
who thinks of the future
but won’t be around forever
votes.
Because
the man
who believes women
should not vote
votes.
Because the preacher with the power
to condemn you to hell
votes.
Because his congregation
with their
violent prayers
and Leviticus 18:22
votes.
Because the insurance executive
in perfect health
with pockets lined with gold
votes.
Because the parent
who doesn’t believe
her boy needs to know
about condoms,
the same boy who is dating your daughter,
votes.
Because the group
who meets wearing white sheets
to backdrops of burning crosses
still exist
and they vote.
Because Scalia and Thomas and Roberts and Alito
vote.
Because people
who don’t recognize your right
to inherit, to marry, to hold the hand
of the person you love as they die
vote.
Because 4,186 American soldiers
have died in Iraq
and they cannot vote.

© Bryan Borland

* Visit http://www.chasingray.com/archives/2008/11/blog_the_vote_2008.html for more on the Blog the Vote project.