Apathy is So Last Season

It's been one of the most memorable presidential races I believe history will remember. There was a female candidate who had a chance at truly winning, an African-American man who may very well nail it, another caught having an affair (complete with a potential baby mama) and a beauty pageant running mate with a pregnant teenager. We were bombarded with the thoughts and feelings of the masses on social networks like Twitter, and saw a financial meltdown that shook the world in the mix of all of it. I won't lie, I have Obama thong underwear, sent as a gift by Cafe Press.

If there were any election to go down in history, this one is probably it.

What strikes me the most in all of it? It's been the first time in a long time that Americans have cared. Maybe it was the fact that we can no longer max out Visa cards on stuff to feel cool, or that the houses we couldn't afford are going into foreclosure. Maybe it's the tight grip of the Bush office that left us all feeling powerless, or the threat of global warming that did it. I'm not sure. But, for the first time in a long time, the America that used to provoke rallies of the masses and move mountains almost seems to be back again. Think to the past ten years or so - there hasn't been a single public rally or effort like our citizens used to have.

Today, watching the sheer volume of Americans take notice, and more importantly, take action, is more inspiring to me than any other element of this election.

For the first time in a long time, the people of our country seem to care. For those who have all along, I can only imagine what a relief it is. All of the sudden, who is running the country, and more importantly what he/she is doing, matters. We are pouring over propositions and rallying our ideas, encouraging others, canvasing neighborhoods. Is this the same nation that can barely find most countries on a map? The one that pays closer attention to the activity of Hollywood train wrecks than who is running its government?

I'm inspired most of all by this. It makes me feel that there is hope, that maybe someday soon we'll all go back to being the Americans that made America what it is. We're a country that has so much more than most people in the world. Even with our skyrocketing debt we can't pay and loss of jobs, we still live better than most humans on the planet. Like no other generation in the history of our country, we have greater tools than ever to demand change, keep tabs on our world and ensure we stay the great country we have always been.

Yet, somehow, we're the most apathetic citizens in history. I'm pretty sure of it. We're facing credit, financial, healthcare, education, environmental, employment, and soon to be food crises. I believe that's all in part because we haven't cared, and worse, taken action.

Today, as we all vote and take a stand against who is in our office, I hope that each and everyone stays this charged up and active. The president is just one part of what our government is about. Congress and Senate are also there. We need to not just carefully elect and keep tabs on the chief, but also all the Indians, and most of all, be true citizens.

If you really want to see change, it starts with us. Be active, educated and engaged long after this election.