Isaac & Laura’s younger brother, George, lives in Germany where
he teaches ‘Teaching ESL’ at a university there. George is absolutely
amazing with language. He speaks English, German, Danish, and Chinese
— an interesting combination, to say the least. He could have gone to
the last olympics as a translator.
Anyhow, George sent a letter out to all of us yesterday about the
election. It puts a new perspective on our access to the polling
places here in the states. Isaac & are heading out to vote in the
next little while and I strongly urge you to go vote too. Call a
friend for babysitting if you need it. Trade babysitting even, but
vote. And what a monumental election today, whichever way it goes!
Dear Family,
One of the hardest parts about being in Germany is having to vote by
absentee ballot. And one of the hardest things about voting by absentee
ballot is trusting in a bureaucracy that is not too on the ball with
getting you that ballot. Well, I was personally on the ball in
requesting mine months ago, but unfortunately, I am not going to get to
vote in this year’s election. Honestly, it just breaks my heart because
I have never cared more for my country than now.
I happen to be
reading John Adams and enjoying it as much as I have enjoyed any other
book. It gives me a glimpse into the life of a man who I believe was
inspired by God to resist evil and help establish a system that would
give voice to its people (NOTE: not the absentee ballot system). I
might add that Abigail Adams has been an inspiration to me, as well.
She was evidently every bit the freedom fighter, every whit the mind. I
believe that we have had few such leaders since, but I hope that the
future will bring us more; we sorely need women and men of such caliber.
I hope that all of you are taking the opportunity of this precious
freedom to vote, whether you vote for Obama, McCain, or Mickey Mouse
(if you feel somewhat desperate like I have at times during this
election). It is such a precious freedom and no less important for our
small voices. God bless America.
Love,
George, Christina, & Joe
What a great letter… what a sad state of political affairs. My mom and I were just talking about all the people oversees that can’t vote because of such a system. It is a shame that with today’s technology something better can’t be done.
I think I maybe to nervous to watch the coverage tonight.
Oh that stinks for him not to be able to vote.
My hubby has been reading John Adams lately too and we’ve been Netflixing some PBS series on him from the 70’s that’s pretty interesting. Yes, we need more leaders like him!
~Angel/TaDa!Creations
The deployed military always gets the shaft. Many don’t get to vote at all and of those that do, the vast majority of their votes aren’t counted. Those that guard precious freedoms are silenced.
I have read much about the Adams family and he is spot on about them being people of high caliber. Abigail was just as much aware of what was going on as her husband. What is also amazing is the love that those two shared. He leaned on her for strength as much as she did on him.
Anyhoo- my husband and I were able to take a nice walk (lovely weather today!) to our local polling place and thankfully vote without waiting in a long line! Sometimes in the sea of voices, it feels like ours is so small and quiet, but a quiet voice is better than no voice.
I’m an American living in England, and my absentee ballot arrived yesterday. A bit too late to mail it in. But I had advice from the Overseasvotefoundation.org in September that said if you requested an absentee ballot and it had not arrived, that you should send in a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, which I did send in on September 22nd. Thank goodness for that website, otherwise I would have felt really helpless, too.
that is simply too bad that he didn’t get his ballot. 🙁
i hope we’ll have a higher turnout at the polls than ever. it would be a good constellation, nevertheless.
We live in Ireland and will be staying up to 3am to await the results of the Presidential election. It is such an historic event.
I’m down here in Chile and I didn’t get my ballot either… found out too late about the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. Next time I will be better prepared!
Thanks for sharing the letter. I’m so sorry he does not get to vote. 🙁
I just wanted to encourage your readers to take their kids to the polls. It’s a great way to teach them about our voting & what a privilege it is to vote.
Its not too late…just as stated above everyone overseas is entitled to send in a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot!!!!! Just contact the embassy for advice, etc. I’m upset that this is not well-known – pass the word on please!!!!!! By the way, in response to the comment regarding military and ability to vote: all military and foreign service employees ARE able to vote when serving their country. (As well, all Americans have access to embassies for advice when problems arise-they just have to ask…) I know- I live and work abroad (serving the government)and have voted in two elections!!!!
So sorry for George! Yes, definately get out and vote! And take the kiddos with you, I have taken mine since they were infants, they are always excited to learn the process.
So sad and so true. I’ve been wanting to read John Adams, but I’m still trying to get through 1776. Knowing our country’s history makes a big difference on how you view and treasure our rights today.
Wow, that is a powerful letter from your BIL. I cannot imagine not having the means with which to vote. It is a very sad thing indeed.
I am every bit as concerned as you. However i won’t vote. Why? I live in France and i’m french. But this election is just so important! We europeans don’t vote for this electrion but many of us wish we could… After all, what happens in your counrty is important everywhere in the world ;o)
so come on you american people: vote!
Awesome! Well said.
We voted for the primary when we were in Switzerland and yes I was worried about our vote really counting. We’re happy to be back on American soil and get to vote in person. This will be the first time voting in person for me since I’ve always done absentee ballot because of school or from moving so much.
great blog some how i found you when i was researching things on our sons birth defect esophageal atresia and other complications. i wish you nothing but the best. I was also wondering if there is anyway if i put your link on my site if you would be able to return the favor and add my ink on your sight, i again wish you the best.
I can totally relate to George! (we went to HHS with you, George, by the way) 🙂
I had to vote absentee from Canada last time! You feel so far away (even though I was just across the border) and so “removed”, if you will. Yes, hope you all voted!
Laurie
Your German friend sounds more loyal to this country than a lot of her own citizens.
that was a moving letter, and I hope it helps folks here at home appreciate our country and its hard-won freedoms. I made sure to vote last Wed. Not only can we vote at polling places, we can vote EARLY!
whoops, just realized belatedly George is an ex-pat, not a German! But I still think he rocks. 🙂
We also live in Germany but on an American military base and our absentee ballots never arrived. Good to know you can go to that federal website. Thank you!
and here in germany we have followed the election full of excitement.
and now as we know america has chosen the change we’re really curious to know how the relationship between america and europe will work out.
i’m very keen.
doro.
George has said it perfectly. We requested absentee ballots because my husband works out of town, but got them too late to send in. We did manage to vote, though, just barely, but at our polling place our names had been removed from the list because we supposedly had absentee ballots. We had to go back home and find them, then take them back. How unfortunant that our voting system is so screwy. Our son in Germany was also unable to vote, and he’s in the military!
I feel bad for George. My husband is American and we live in Norway. His ballot arrived late but just in time to be mailed. We called his home district in the States to inquire why the ballot was so late and they said they were overwhelmed by the amount of new registered voters and early voters. Even though the absentee system has failed many we were grateful that so many others took the time to make history happen.
Well said.
Well said.
Well said.
I’m also reading “John Adams” right now! It’s fascinating to see how turbulent those early years were for our nation. I did go out and vote on election day, and I’m grateful for the privilege to do so! Thank you for the reminder!
~ Shannon
My son who lives overseas, got his the Thursday before the election (had requested it last spring) filled it out, dashed over to the US Embassy and paid$37 to have it fast shipped back in time for the election. He wold have used the Federal Write in Ballot had he not gotten it.