This has been a valuable lesson to all Americans

[nookiemonster]

We have taken our democratic political process for granted for far too long. Many here, like myself, wouldn't of given two shits about the whole process four years ago.

I will remain involved from this day forward! Thank you DU. You have provided a sanctuary for all of us that felt that we were truly losing our minds.

Hope.... it does ring eternal. This whole situation will make us a much stronger republic and will provide the wisdom we need to make it thorough any adversity. Foreign or domestic.

Thanks again! :kick:

[LisaLynne]

1. Right on!

I, too, was pretty jaded about the political process, but I've heard the wake up call. I hope none of us will ever forget the peril our democracy and even our entire way of life was in thanks to this administration. I hope we use what we've learned to join others in really making some changes and making this country, and the world, a better place.

[cynatnite]

2. One I will never take fore granted again

I something was wrong several months ago. I didn't know what it was until I got my hands on Al Franken's book 'Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them'.

It was as if a cloud lifted and I was in the light once again. Once I read that I started checking the internet and this was one of the first places I found.

Thanks, Al and Thanks DU!

[TexasSissy]

3. Here here! So true. It has always baffled me that some people

never vote.

I have missed some votes in my day...didn't get there in time, bad weather, I forgot (yes, that's true!). But for the most part, I have done my best to get to the polls and express my opinion with a vote. I take it seriously and I feel fortunate that I have the right and privilege to vote. There was a time that my grandmother did not have the right to vote, and I think of that sometimes.

I try not to lose my registration card, so that I can get it stamped at the polling location. I like to have several stamps on my card.

I love my country, and I am moved that I have this wonderful way to express my opinion and help select leaders, when women in some other countries, as we've been reminded lately, don't even have the right to earn a living.

Like you say, I hope the year 2000 was a wakeup call to those who don't bother to vote. We have seen what we get when we let others do the voting. Remember 2000!

[shance]

4. I was thinking the exact same thing today. I will never NOT be involved

again.

If Kerry does win, we still have huge hurdles, one in my opinion, being electronic voting.

[Garbo 2004]

5. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. n/t