Today is election day and the choice of who you vote for, is not as important as exercising your right to vote.  It should not be taken for granted by any citizen of this country.  It is indeed one of our most precious rights and should be cherished.  Billions of people throughout the world are ruled by despotic dictators and enjoy few, if any freedoms.  Democracy, defined as rule, “of, by and for the people” is a concept this country perfected under the tutelage of our brilliant forefathers.  The odds of men such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, John Hancock, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington all converging in one place, in one point in time, is nothing short of miraculous.  One could almost believe divine intervention brought them together.  The declaration of Independence could have led to a group of independent states or countries just as easily as we ended up one union.  Our forefathers understood that in unity, there is strength.  They were visionaries.  They did what was best for all, e pluribus unum (one out of many).  Ultimately, they established this Democratic, Republic without a modern history, or road map to guide them.  Together, they formed the greatest Union that had ever existed previously or that ever will exist until the sun is extinguished.  When these United States were established, slavery was the law of the land and women couldn’t vote.  Thankfully the framers created a Constitution that could change over time, even if change comes slowly.  So today we vote.  We vote in honor of the 15th Amendment that righted a terrible wrong, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”  We vote in honor of the 19th Amendment, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”  We vote because it is our right, our duty, our obligation.  There is absolutely no reason or feasible excuse why there shouldn’t be a turnout of seventy percent or better.  Be proud to vote!  Be proud to be an American!  And no matter who wins, we will still be brothers and sisters; one unified country; one United States of America.