Did you vote? If you did not, you missed out, to be sure.

By now, most if not all of the elections for this year are settled. Yet, there are millions of Americans who bypassed this opportunity to cast their votes – and it’s a shame.

Many people don’t register to vote, trying to duck other civic responsibilities such as serving on jury duty. Instead, one should be proud to serve on a jury, as well as proud to vote. These are hard-earned privileges people have struggled and died to achieve.

Historically, veterans vote reliably. They know the value of the rights Americans enjoy, because they did their part to ensure those rights.

Recently, an “election” was held in Iraq. To nobody’s surprise, Saddam Hussein won. Does any American truly think any other candidate would have had a chance of winning?

Here, any person who is a registered voter and meets the minimal qualifications can run for and be elected to public office. Even outsiders to the political system can make a significant impact. Anyone remember Ross Perot?

America does not ask a lot of its citizens. Pay taxes when due. Vote. Serve on jury duty when called. And when America needs fighting men to defend these freedoms, there is no lack of people willing to step forward.

Senior citizens are usually reliable at voting. If they are physically able, the odds are good they will come to the polls. Perhaps it’s the education they received which prompts that action. Classes in civic responsibilities used to be common in high schools.

Many young people are also excited about voting for the first time. It’s a rite of passage – a step into adulthood.

We all need to vote – because our nation depends on us to carry out this responsibility – and because we can.

It’s the least we can do.

L’Observateur