What does the election matter anyway?

When we elected George Washington as our first president, it was ground-breaking, simply because it was the first election in our great history. What makes the 2008 election also potentially ground-breaking? The 2008 election is such an election, because we will elect either our first African-American president or our first woman vice president. In addition, our economy is struggling, so it is key that we pick the best candidate for our future success.
Thus far we have already witnessed history with the nomination of Barack Obama for president on the Democratic ticket. On the Republican side, the party has nominated its first woman, Sarah Palin, for the vice presidential seat. The prominence of race and gender in this election is going to drive record-breaking numbers to polls on November 4. This could be the most important election in our recent history. Certainly, it will be one of our most important elections, and it is assured of being of historic proportions given that regardless of who wins, in terms of race and gender our nation will accomplish something that has never occurred.
Both candidates are mavericks to their parties and will steer their parties in new directions. We have had many changes in our political parties. As we look at the majority of the voters, we don’t have as many liberals or conservatives, but rather more voters are moderates. As the far left and right realize this, they may be forced to move closer to the middle. That could result in the candidates more equally representing the people as a whole instead of special interests. Once again I think that, for this reason, more people will go to the polls to decide the election, and this election will be very close.
In addition, the issues will attract voters. On the fore-front of these issues is the economy. On the left we have Obama who received the second most amount of money from Fannie-May in Congress, and on the right we have McCain who has opposed the big companies. As the economy is failing, and the government is spending our money, it is vital that we pick the right person. I believe the second most important issue is the war in Iraq. Obama wants to pull out, while John McCain wants to stay to complete the job. As Americans we need to decide what is more important: defending the country or letting terror reign free. We also have decisions to make about securing our border and what to do about illegal immigrants, health care, and social security. Next, we have our continuing social issues on abortion, gay marriage, and other pending questions. So if gender and race do not attract voter participation, such issues may.
This could be the most important election in our history, and certainly one of the most important elections. As Americans we are a dominant country that the whole world watches, so it is necessary that we pick the right President to lead the free world. It is also important because we will be breaking the biggest race or gender barrier since Woman’s Suffrage and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We will also help shape our future by choosing new party boundaries, and what greater way to help the country than to vote in this election. Last, great issues concerning national security, social policies, moral values, and our economy are dominant in this election. As JFK once said, “It is not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” so be a part of the biggest election in history and help shape America’s future.