Life is a journey that is pre-destined; it has a beginning, climax, and ending.  As we age we enter new chapters discovering our purpose and intent; few individuals master this discovery. For those individuals the rewarding manifestations of life’s climatic ending are the things legends are made of. Armed with the courage and conviction to re-mold the way we view as well as react to issues that we face as Americans is a power that we all possess. 

With today being "Super Tuesday", twenty-two states will have record breaking voter turn-out. Change is most definitely in the wind, the question that remains is which direction will the wind blow.  We have a fight to the finish on the Democratic side, two front runners on the GOP side and former Governor Mike Huckabee who from his past electoral performances should never be counted out to make an impact. We have all heard their pitches for change, tax breaks, healthcare, the economy, immigration, welfare reform, even down to ethical morality.  The final pitch now must come from you the American voter.  As the winds of change shift direction, which way will you go. 

 For me personally this is a decision I have had to deal with for quite some time. I am open-minded, opinionated, and head strong a lethal combination in any debate. But this election is very special to me for it brings forth challenges in one of most important decisions I will make this year.  "Who will I vote for and why?"

Some say this should be obvious, Barack Obama, hands down others will argue, Hillary Clinton, without a doubt. Being from a city built on a US Air force base I have those who will say, "John McCain". Truth is they all represent things that are great importance to me. 

I have admired Hillary whom since seventh grade, when she and former President Clinton made impromptu stop at my school just to say hello; something most elected officials don't do spur of the moment and that one visit changed a lot of us who were able to be there. She represents the "modern American woman" ;strong, intelligent, willful, and ready to take on all that comes her way to stand for what she believes in. She doesn't do it with an afro like Angie Davis or lead rallies to burn our bras, but with a voice that is commanding yet compassionate, and a will that is breaking down the gender barriers that many women, including myself, struggle to chip at. That day it ignited an interest for me in which I began to follow the Clintons; the good, the bad, and the legacy they have began to change America. 

Barack Obama, who is a breath of fresh air for America, has the charisma of JFK and the energy of Bill Clinton. He is a vivid symbolism of much needed change in America.  I became familiar with Senator Obama through friends of mine from Chicago who raved about the "Senator from Chicago". In my hunger to know everything about everything, I began to follow stories and information on the Senator.  I found him to be intriguing as well as enlightening on so many levels.  He is a bi-racial attorney, turned elected official, who grew up in Hawaii, currently lives in Chicago, and is now making a run for the White House.  That is such a minor snapshot to say the least, but his is a life that great American legacies are made of.

I know most are wondering where does Senator McCain come into play. Well, in the past election Senator McCain represented a "renewed hope" that America so greatly needed and still does. A POW during the Vietnam war he understands firsthand the horror that our military faces on a daily basis: from the dream of serving your country to the realization that war is more of a nightmare than a dream. He is truly of all the candidates one who can in my opinion effectively bring home our armed forces and develop a sensible means in which to do so.  Am I saying I agree with all the views that Senator McCain stands for? Most certainly not. What I do appreciate is dedication to the military, what it really means to this country, and his efforts to preserve the mission of the armed forces.

All three candidates bring to America aspects we have not seen in recent history to the forefront of our electoral process, which is in part why it is so hard. However they all three have aspects that continued to be played out in the media in particular that have most voters swaying in the "winds of resistance". Elections are very similar to infomercials, in which you have a product that may be useful to some but not all. It is marketed as the best thing since "sliced bread" but you sit in your home trying to figure out what it's use is and why you should use it. Just like infomercials, elections can become a lengthy process where you can switch to a different program and then return to the infomercial and they are still dissecting the same part of the product from thirty minutes ago! By now we have heard the spiels from the candidates so much they begin to seem like songs that you can't get out of your head.

The big debate for a lot Democrats will be effective change.  This change can come with Senator Obama who would be fairly new to many issues facing an American President, or Senator Clinton, who is very seasoned to the hurdles which face the next President. These are key factors for many for this will very well make or break the Democratic nomination. There are also other key pin points for both that we must consider.

Healthcare for one: universal or not?  This is a hefty question for many Americans with the alarming number of those who do not have healthcare and the disproportionate number of single-parent families and minorities who take the biggest hit.  If you are unable to afford health insurance but forced to enroll what do you do?  If you are given the option to opt out of participating in a healthcare package and you get sick, what do you do?  For this there are so many answers, so many scenarios, though as voters (most importantly those of you who happen to be parents) the candidate that best supports what you feel best for your family is a clear answer.

The economy will always be a hot topic, not much to quote the numerical statistics which continue to grow at an alarming rate. With so many contributing factors from the weakening value of the US dollar to outsourcing no one is safe from the horrific cycle of our present day economy.  Economic preservation by tightening restrictions on US imports and increased exports of American goods is a nice avenue.  Though most voters want to see more tax breaks like the middle class who have been the hardest hit by the current economic crunch. Tax rebates that will have to be paid back next year sound good in the short term. Some will be able to put the money back into the economy, but most will end up using it to pay off debts they encountered hoping that 2008 would prove to be better than 2007 economically.

Iraq has now become a topic far down on the list of priorities for many but not the families of over 3,000 and counting. While we do need to get America back on her feet we must also remember to follow through on the things we started.  After five years there is still no clear nor clean cut solution to the Iraqi conflict other than that Americans need to come HOME. How we do that and continue to progress in such a war-torn environment is a question that will always have a developing answer. The US Armed Forces have guided the Iraqi people for quite some time, and as Americans this is what we do, though in the future I hope that we can do so with more controls in place.

I have tapped the tip of the iceberg on some of the things running through the minds of millions today. From immigration to humanitarian efforts, as I stated earlier elections are a lot like infomercials, you change the channel for thirty minutes, change it back and it seems as though they are still on the same topic.  So there is no need to review what you have already heard debated time and time again for nearly a year now.  As Americans what we must review, as well as remember, is the power in our vote. It is one of the greatest powers that you can have, for it can be obtained and utilized by every citizen. The key thing is you have to use it.

Before we can be swayed by the winds of change in any direction we must educate ourselves on the processes to execute this right. Educate yourself on the issues, examine the candidates, weigh in on what is important to you, to your family, to your future.  This is a critical time in present day America. Each of us has what it takes to be influential in the process of "progress".  If you missed the deadline to register for today's elections don't  be discouraged, you still have time to register for November. You can visit your local election administrative office, public library, state election site, or any of the numerous voter registration sites e.g. www.justvote.org which can connect you to your states voter registration form.

        If you are still wondering after reading this what my mission is, well here goes.  I see the trials facing America for I live in the midst of them daily. I play witness to the many cries of both Democratic and GOP supporters. My goal is to educate, empower, and encourage voter participation. Who will I vote for?  I am not as torn today as I was a year ago when the nominees were first announced, but I have yet to wake-up in the morning a white woman, a black man, or a veteran............