Will history make a difference?

Wow! What a country we live in. One way or another, history is going to be made in America this election season. We are either going to elect the first African American President, the oldest first–term
American President or the first woman vice president on November 4.

Just eight years ago nobody knew of either Barack Obama or Sarah Palin. And as for John McCain, most people thought his chance at the presidency was gone.

What a difference eight years can make.

Regardless of whether you are Republican or Democrat, the political junkie in you just has to be excited by the whole thing. I am less interested in the political rhetoric yet to come and more interested in
being so proud of our country.

I still believe we live in the best country in the world and the only place where you can go from being unknown or thought to be washed up in your career, to being nominated by the two major political
parties.

My prayer is that each one of us will grasp this moment. Not for the petty attempts at political power moves to win the White House, but instead upon the move both political parties are making to end
race, age and sex discrimination all in the same election year.

Some may call it political theatre, but I say it is theatre worth watching.

Now will come the interesting part of this election year; the discussion of issues. Up to this point history has dictated interest. But chances are, Americans will not cast their vote based upon history but
upon the direction and status of the country.

The economy is an important point to consider. A dragging economy will always cause voices of change to be heard. But the re-emergence of a bullying Russia demands that foreign affairs and national
security remain issues of serious consideration also.

In other words, we have a tough choice to make between Barack Obama and John McCain.

Nevertheless, I do hope we all take a moment to embrace history because this political scenario may never happen again.

But then I hope every voter considers the nation’s position at home and abroad as we cast our votes in less than 65 days.

The other day I was talking with a group of folks and I asked a young woman if she was voting in the upcoming elections. Her response was yes, and she told me who she was voting for. But then I was
deeply concerned at her response when I asked her why. She couldn’t think of an answer and said she would have to get back to me with a better reason of why.

Now this young lady doesn’t owe me an excuse or reason why she is voting the way she is voting. But my point was to see if she actually had a reason. Although we are supporting the same candidate,
that concerns me.

More than ever, we, as Americans, need to know our why with electing political leaders. Take Congress for instance.

I find it rather strange that Congress’ popularity is somewhere hovering in the low 20 percent range. The strange thing about that is, we elected them — collectively as a nation— and now we can’t stand
them. What does that say about our opinion of ourselves?

In the end government and our political leaders are only as good as the decisions we make. Why? Because when people are elected to office, they reflect the collective will, desires and opinions of the
nation at the time of the elections.

So let’s marvel at the social quantum leap America is taking this election cycle.

Then, let’s seriously consider the awesome responsibility each of us has in selecting the next president and Congress this year. America will make history this year but the real question is: will the
making of history make a difference.

Davon Gray works in Washington, D.C., and resides in Woodbridge. Contact him at dgpointofview@comcast.net.