waiting, not particularly patiently, for politicians

Chris & I have discussed politics and elections with the girls since they were babies — and they’ve gone with us to the polls. For me, it’s a point of pride that I’ve maybe missed a total of 2 local election primaries my entire life. In short, my daughters are exceptional, OK that’s true, and they are also very well-informed about civics. They have already figured which election will be their first — and my older daughter wants to be president, and a few other things (a scuba diver and a fashion designer/photographer).

They have been asking questions over the past 100 years or so of the current campaign, so we compiled them into a list. Now the girls are 8 and 10, so they expected me to email the candidates and get answers the next day.

I did email, and have been waiting for the answers for several weeks now. In the meantime, each campaign has asked me repeatedly for money — and told me that my contribution is key to the fate of the world as we know it.

What I want to give them (Obama, Clinton and McCain) is a chance to show little girls that politicians can answer questions — that politicians do respond to constituents. I know, it’s a little, “yes Virginia….” but why is that wrong? Do we all, even children, have to be completely cynical about the political process?

Here are their questions, see what you think of them — and wait with us!

1. How do you plan to take care of nature?
2. How will you make sure poor families will have enough food?
3. How do you plan to protect our energy resources (original question – how do we make sure everyone has electricity)?
4. How can we make sure we give schools to all children?
5. How do you make sure we are doing what Martin Luther King wanted to make people equal?
6. How do we make sure we have clean water?
7. How do you plan to encourage artists and musicians?
8. How do you plan to make the war stop so people will stop dying?

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. –> John Quincy Adams

Take care,
Aly