Today is Election Day... the day that defines America. Regardless of who wins this presidential election, the whole world is watching in amazement as the continuing miracle of American Democracy unfolds before our eyes once again. The idea of a Democratic Representative Republic of American States began as a dream that most had trouble believing would ever materialize, let alone last for over 200 years. During that time, the rest of the world has battled to maintain some kind of order amidst the chaos of governance, drifting between experiments with religious and secular autocracies, dictatorships, socialism, communism, kingdoms and principalities to various forms of representative democracies that strive to approach the American election process.   

 On this day it is important to remember that despite all our cultural and political turmoil, we are indeed the envy of the world. Every time the reins of power are handed over to another American President without blood-letting, it is a genuine miracle. I know this because I have personally witnessed the normal alternative, dodging bullets and running for cover, jumping over decapitated corpses to survive in third world countries as they conducted their version of transfer of power. Most Americans have never had the privilege to participate in such an event, even as an observer, so they are pretty much clueless. I know this because I see it in their eyes and hear it in their words as they gaze past the miracle to focus instead on brainless sports or entertainment programs and voice exasperation at having to tolerate the endless political signs and campaign commercials for candidates. They are clueless. They never had to dodge a bullet to survive an "election" so they are spoiled, soft and out of touch with how special our system is, even though the rest of the world knows and watches in rapt attention and envy.

 So... regardless of who our American people elect, I will honor the will of the people and respect that person as our commander in chief because in the United States of America that is what we do and that is what makes us such a valuable resource to the developing world and human culture.

 There is a time and place for disagreement and that time and place is the campaign. Once that is over, we make our decisions and move forward with that great experiment called The United States of America. For better or worse, hopefully learning from our mistakes as we move along, creating history as we go. we move forward together.

 Who determines the will of the people? The people do when they vote. They are us. If one chooses not to vote, it is unfortunate but even in choosing not to vote one is exercising choice. In choosing not to vote one chooses to accept the will of those who do vote and even that is superior to those who live in dictatorships and have no choice at all.

 If the time ever comes when Americans allow their disagreements to separate them from the reality of what America means to the rest of the world, our country will cease to be the hope of the world, and that will be very unfortunate indeed because the world desperately needs hope.