On the Importance of Service to Our Nation

In approximately 24-and-a-half hours, we will know the winner of this most historic election. Indeed, the two presidential candidates have become the most polarized candidtates since, in my opinion, 1800, when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson went at it. However, there is one thing in common: a dual call to service for the American people. For which I wholeheartedly agree: service to one's nation is not just a virtue, but a necessity. One must serve their nation, for they must give back to the country that bore them. The rights of the people are inalienable, nor are the responsibilities.

There is one single act that can somewhat absolve the need for service: voting. Voting allows for the change in power that is necessary if change is requested. As the Beastie Boys said, "You gotta fight for your right to party!", and you've got to fight for the right to change your government. For if someone retains power, we can complain all we want, but we had the ability to do something about it. In short: vote. It will help you in the long run. To quote Monk, "You'll thank me later."

However, we must serve beyond this point. Every point when there was a crisis in this nation-World War II and 9/11, for example-we came together to serve our nation and do our part. In World War II, we had our food rationed, children collected tin cans, and we all sold war bonds while women went to the workplace-and baseball, too-when the men were at war. After 9/11, we came together and made a stand against the people who attacked us (but that all changed when this president took advantage of it-but that's another post). And we must continue to serve. Be it in terms of volunteer fire and EMS departments, reading to children or senior citizens at a library, or what have you, doing one's part is a necessity.

Volunteer, and vote.