The primary election is over in North Carolina, and if you went to the polls to cast your vote, you are a winner, whether your candidate came out on top or not.
Voting is a sacred privilege in America, and from the looks of things, more people are voting in the primary elections across our nation than ever before. That is also true right here where we live.
I've never seen such a commotion during an election. The crowds were yelling and chanting, offering roaring applause, and the throngs of supporters shouting approval or disapproval of candidates' positions on the issues. And that was just on television.
Tuesday morning was quiet in my polling place, but then it usually is at 6 o'clock in the morning. Yes, I was there before the polls opened. I was trying to beat the expected long lines that were anticipated for this event, and we were among the first five people to cast our votes.
As we stood there in line, we began talking to each other, and learning a little about each other. We were sort of like ... neighbors.
There was a lady who works at Wal-Mart who was voting early because she soon had to be at work. A man in a tall cowboy hat was expressing his dislike of the proposed tax increase. Another lady talked about programs available now for raising children that were not available when her children came along.
Others talked about their hopes for the future of their country on many levels. And there was a lot of talk about the ailing economy and the war in Iraq that drags on and on.
This was, I thought, the proverbial "melting pot" of America. Here we were, white, black, Hispanic, Asian – and maybe combinations of those – all with similar problems, ailments, hopes and dreams for the future. This was America at its best. Boy, was it ever worth getting up early to be a part of this scene!
Our polling place had no raucous behavior on the part of the voters. Everyone was friendly, and whatever differences there may have been in our choices of candidates to lead us through the next four years, there was an air of "I'm glad this day is here; now let's make our choices and get on with our future."
Although all political races in our region have been exciting, none has come close to the expectations generated by the presidential race that looks like it will go down to the wire. And either the nation's first black president or the nation's first woman president may lead us into history. And when the final is played out in November, even if we do not agree with the outcome, it behooves each of us to support the winner.
The candidates will set the example themselves. They will support the winner. That's the American way. We choose our candidates, support them through our vote and rally behind the eventual winner to help build a better life for all of us – even if we grind our teeth while we are doing it.
The magic word in this election has been "change." We have heard messages about changing our economy, our military, our justice system, our health care, our schools, our world image, our politics and our outlook.
In making this election a record-setting turnout, we, in a nutshell, have changed ourselves. We have indicated our interest in making a more vital investment in our land and taking a more visible part in her direction. That's a good thing. And that is what it will take to keep America the strong, vital and free country that it is.
The candidates have given us stirring speeches and promises of change, even though they have not told us exactly what their plans are in making all of the changes they endorse.
You know the old saying "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Well, the candidates have delivered a lot of smoke. When they take office, we expect them to deliver the fire.
If not, then all of the "change" they talk about will be only what we have left in our pockets after trips to the grocery stores and the gas stations.
Bill Stancil is a freelance writer and former staff member of the Rocky Mount Telegram.
