Election Day

November 6, 1990.

This was the day I set foot on the soil for the first time in the United States of America. It was Election Day in the country. George H.W. Bush was the President and had two more years in office. I did not understand the importance of Election Day nor had a role in it at the time. The 25 year old me was however grateful that the country had welcomed me in. 

It wasn’t until 2001 that I became a citizen of the country. The agent interviewing me asked a hypothetical question: if the USA was at war with India would you support the USA ?” Without batting a lid I told him that would never happen. India has historically never invaded another sovereign state. If ever it enters war it is to defend its own territory. Given this fact it is unlikely that India would be waging a war against another democratic nation like the USA. The agent had glanced at me with amusement and shook his head as he gave the final approval for my US citizenship. Despite trying a few times he had not succeeded in getting a yes or no answer from me. How could I?

 I was proud of India then and I am proud of India even now. But that day the generosity of the USA became evident to me. How many developed nations give legal immigrants like me the right to vote and thereby have a say in who runs the government, including who sits in the highest office? I became aware of the significance of my privilege that day and never took it lightly.

Three years later I exercised my new right for the first time. I voted for George W Bush in 2004, a decision that invoked some serious after-thoughts following the missteps of the Iraq War. Yet, even after his colossal political mistakes, I still hold respect for the man. I realize he is human and the fact that he had to base his decisions on the information he was provided at the critical moments. Decisions can be wrong but the intentions behind them need to be considered. There has never been a doubt in my mind that the man loves his country and did what he saw as the best for his country. He is a decent human being even if he wasn’t the best president. 

In 2008 I did not vote for his successor. Barack Obama was barely a one time senator when he ran for the presidency and I genuinely felt he wasnt ready for the job. By 2012 he had proved me wrong. I was more than happy and confident to vote for him this time. At the end of his second term he spoke to the country from Chicago. That farewell speech was so powerful and inspiring, it made me emotional. It was late evening in California when that speech wrapped up. I picked a paper and pen that night and wrote to him how proud I was to have been a citizen of the USA under his presidency. I had no idea he would receive my letter, let alone read it. Several months later I was stunned to receive a reply from him. It is one of those cherished things I hold in my possession.

Being a first generation immigrant there is no burden of familial political leanings. Thus I have no blind allegiance to any political party. During every election cycle I look at the candidates, what they stand for, their character and credentials and choose who to vote for. Sometimes it is a matter of voting for lesser of two evils. But even that makes a difference. Therefore I do not abstain from casting my vote.

Today, thirty four years after coming to this country, it is Election Day again! And what do we have on the menu ? Something I haven’t seen in the last three decades. Something that probably the country has not seen in its entire history. There is a candidate representing a major political party who has the distinct profile of doing everything wrong that a man can possibly do. Deal fraudulently with money, evade taxes, assault women, commit adultery, continually tell lies and spread misinformation , speak disrespectfully about anyone and everyone, instigate violence, cozy up to enemies, laud dictators, seek revenge for opponents, insult veterans, discredit military officers, disregard scientific evidence. The list is endless. 

Yet that is not the worst thing. The scariest part is that this guy can convince half of the country to throw its support behind him despite his character flaws!! Which speaks volumes about the vulnerability of the masses in a developed nation. 

These times are truly disturbing and frightening. They are revealing the shallowness of human life. We can turn a blind eye to complete lack of moral values in favor of economy? We can support hatred and negativity if we are promised less taxes? We can risk national security for narrow minded benefits? We can blindly follow a rogue leader without questioning? 

I have mailed my ballot. Nearly 80 million of my fellow citizens have done the same. Many more will wake up this morning and flock the voting sites to cast their votes. Never before have I felt this nervous about the outcome. There is possibility of history in the making, a possibility of USA electing its first Female President ever. A president who has half lineage of Indian origin. Yet, these are secondary. The first priority is guarding the integrity of the highest office in the country. We can celebrate the female president once we’ve guarded the office. My heart prays for wisdom to prevail over disgrace and downfall. Now it’s just waiting game to see what’s in store for the United States of America and whether it will uphold its generosity and nobility. Whether it is ready to lead or turn backwards? It is time to see if good has the power to battle against and rise above evil. 

It is time for God to reveal that HE is in charge here. Not any human who believes himself to be God or God’s chosen child !! It is time for humans to realize that their loyalties must be to God and God stands for Truth, Love, Justice and 

Greater good. If they endorse a leader who undermines the divine virtues they are turning away from God. No matter what faith they belong to, what good can possibly come to their share when they turn away from God ? 

I don’t recall a time when the following prayer was more desperately needed.

OM

Asato ma sat gamaya

Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya 

Mrityor ma Amritam gamaya 

OM Shanti Shanti Shantihi 

Oh Lord of the Universe, please take us from falsehood to Truth, from Darkness to Light, from Death to Immortality. Bless us with lasting peace. 

Saree is a printed tussar.