This is the follow up to my earlier post, “Max (Retriever) says, ‘Get out and Vote!‘” Rebekah and I made our way to the Wake Forest Community House this morning, crunching freshly fallen colorful leaves as we went, enjoying the bright sunshine and 60-degrees of a perfect fall day.

It’s an idyllic scene, small-town America at its best; local citizens streaming in and out, people from all walks of life, greeting one-another warmly and happy to be there, doing what freedom loving Americans do and “May the best candidate win.”

This is what it means to vote, and it seems improbable and frankly offensive to imagine this time-honored process dishonored by sabotage and misinformation. We know these poll workers; they are hard-working, willing, selfless, well-trained and civic-minded. Any suggestion that this honest, selfless, mostly thankless work may not be above board is like a slap in the face.

We voted for America:

Today, Rebekah and I voted for America. We voted “yes” for this polling station, we voted “yes” for the good people who work there, and we voted “yes” for democracy. We did not vote partisan, we did not vote angry, we did not vote based on unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, and we did not vote the way some radio host or demagogue politician demanded.

My confidence in this election is not contingent on my candidate winning. My confidence is vested in my experience and in the power that community and mutual respect give to us all.

In a sense, when I became a citizen of the USA I entered into a covenant agreement with two-hundred years plus of voters – mostly Republicans and Democrats – giving one another the benefit of the doubt. I took my oath with a lot of faith and trust thrown in. I do not intend to let down my side of the agreement. And I do not anticipate that my country will disappoint me either.

So “Happy election day, America!” May God bless these 50 states and keep us united – DEREK

In a sense, when I became a citizen of the USA I entered into a covenant agreement with two-hundred years plus of voters – mostly Republicans and Democrats – giving one another the benefit of the doubt. I took my oath with a lot of faith and trust thrown in. I do not intend to let down my side of the agreement. And I do not anticipate that my country will disappoint me either.

Derek Maul