Teaching our kids about history

[wellstone dem]

My daughter will vote in her first presidential election this year. I have no doubt that she will vote, and that she will vote for the Democrat. When Bush won his last term, I remember waking her up for school and telling her the results. She said, "Why would they do that? People will die because of that vote?"

So I don't need to teach her the importance of voting, but I want her to know what a historic vote this will be. I was amazed at the emotion I felt as I talked to her about what it will mean to vote for a black man or a white woman. I got tears in my eyes as I told her about the history of the role of women and blacks in American politics. When I was in college working for the Equal Rights Amendment and when I took classes about the history of the ability of blacks to vote in this country, I honestly never thought I'd get to vote for either. And here, my daughter gets to do so in her very first election. I hope she pauses before she submits that vote to think about what she gets to do. I know I will.

[bigbrother05]

1. My first vote was for McGovern

My son's first vote was for Ann Richards against W. Every American should remember their first vote/election, how memorable for the those being able to start with this one.

[wellstone dem]

5. My first vote was for Jimmy Carter--the first time he ran

I voted absentee while I was away at school.

[glowing]

2. My first vote was for Al Gore... that went well....

since then.. So far.. all my guys have been selected against, given up, or pushed out...

I don't give a shit about this black man or this white woman, when neither of them will give this country what we need.. same old shit, just another fucking day.

[LWolf]

3. I get to do that this year.

A major staff restructuring puts me in charge of teaching two sections of U.S. History that focuses on the development of the Constitution this spring.

I'm thrilled.

[Maddy McCall]

4. Beautiful post.

:thumbsup:

[wellstone dem]

6. a self-agrandizing kick!

[wellstone dem]

9. nt for one last rec.

[H2O Man]

7. Very nice post.

Nominated.

My younger son will be voting for the first time. He wanted to vote for John Edwards in the primary. I'm sure he will vote for the democratic ticket in the fall. (His older brother is on the left of the democratic party at this stage in life, but we will try to get him to vote for our candidate.)

[wellstone dem]

8. I sympathize with your son

I wanted to vote for John Edwards too. But even though I strongly supported him I was sad that I wasn't getting to vote for Obama or Clinton. So when caucus night rolled around, I paused and voted for and African American for the first time in my life.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

10. My first vote was for Dukakis. It was an easy choice.

I'm sure your daughter will take her responsibility seriously, given the example you have set for her.