"The family vote"

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I fell in love with New York's magic, hustle and bustle 18 years ago.

New York with its colorful, multi flavor, diverse beauty seduces every new comer and conquers hearts.

Buenos Aires is in my heart but New York is my home.

Over the years, I've gained a unique perspective,having seen two different countries, with different histories, cultures and mentalities one can't help but compare.

Thoughts come up on so many fronts, recently, i started thinking about the upcoming election and my sentiments on that particular topic.

You see, i'm what you would call a daughter of Democracy.

I was born in a country with a long history of dictatorships, Argentinians have a special regard for democracy.

We are in no way happy with what has been done politically with our country.

One after another, past presidents and their entourage have proven to be corrupt, ineffective and disappointing to say the least.

Argentina has a bloody past, where thousands of people disappeared for protesting the military in power in the seventies.

Freedom of expression is not a given or at least it wasn't always so.

This is why voting in Argentina is not only a choice, it's mandatory.

Every citizen must vote because we are all responsible and active participants of democracy.

I guess I'm just trying to paint a picture of a reality somewhere else, to give my readers an insight.

Perhaps this is a profound thought for me because it runs deep within my memories.

I remember my father God rest his soul, took his civic responsibilities to heart.

As a young child i went with my family to "Plaza de Mayo" along with thousands of others to show support for President Raul Alfonsin whose presidency was endangered.

Alfonsin's leadership was been threatened by a para militia but the message was clear, Argentinians had no desire to let go of their democracy.

The people's voices were heard.

Once i was old enough to vote, we did what we called "the family vote".

We supported together our candidate and went to vote together as a family.

Not sure it ever made much of a difference in the large scope of things.

However the takeaway message was received and i still firmly believe it today:

"We all have a civic duty to try to promote change and we must defend what we believe in".

We have the right to hope for better leadership, ask for leaders who are in tune with people's needs.As we approach our next elections here in the United States lets think, choose wisely.

Let's pray that whoever does become our next president can bring peace, harmony health and prosperity to our country.

Let's remember though that it will ultimately be us, the ones who make or break our country.

Let's elect a president and simultaneously elect how we are going to conduct ourselves as citizens.

Will we be caring individuals who seek everyone 's well being or focus only on ourselves?

We can and should vote with the expectations that the leaders will promote the policies that we see fit, however, ultimately, we make our country, each and everyone of us.

Let us vote with the right sentiment and remember the most important thing is not who wins but rather what happens after.

We all have a part in making it work.

Let's do this for ourselves, our neighbors and our children.

Our future depends on it.