It's difficult to explain just how I've co-existed with the world of American politics, and by co-exist I am politely saying I've ignored the whole sodding mess since I was hugely disillusioned in the year 2000.
I believed in my vote up until that year, until the blinders were ripped from my eyes by the unholy entity that is the Grand Old Party, as they used to love calling themselves. When Al Gore was defeated, and I use the term loosely, my confidence and belief in the system that was supposed to be just and balanced, was shattered beyond repair. There was nothing that could bring me out of my political coma.
Not even the election of our first black president.
I realized then and even now that my vote is largely symbolic, though the symbolism of it just recently kicked Mitt Romney's rich and unsympathetic ass, and I must admit that I feel slightly empowered once more.
You might wonder, or not, what caused my renewed interest in politics, and I have to tell you, I feel like Leonard Lowe, the patient from the movie Awakenings. If Mitt Romney is to be given credit for anything, it would be spurring me into action and involvement, waking me from my self imposed geopolitical coma.
The very thought of the paler shade of Reagan taking office in January, shook me awake and frightened me into awareness.
I had seen it before. I've lived through 52 years of presidencies and there are only 3 of those men who served, that I can say I admire and respect enough to have voted for.
One of those is in office now.
Don't take your vote for granted.
It's symbolism may be the most powerful aspect of all.