The question itself causes a bit of inner turmoil for me. Most Americans look forward to national holidays. However, the eagerness to make cute little symbols in our daily planners or PDAs reminding us that the holiday is nearing isn't because we plan to spend the day reflecting on what the holiday means to us or what the person the holiday is honoring did for our country. It is the absolute opposite. We pencil these days in to remind us of a much needed day off from work.
It is a day most Americans plan fun outings with family and friends or spend the day leisurely enjoying the peace and quiet that can only be found in a place called home. If you happen to be one of the many Americans that are self employed or a small business owner, there still may be no time taken off in commeration of the holiday. In these particular situations, there may not be enough manpower or revenue to afford to close for an entire day.
Election day should remain simply, election day.
Most, if not all, jobs schedule time for their employees to leave, cast their vote and get back to work. Polls generally open before traditional work hours begin and close two to three hours after the work day has ended.
The current Presidential race has sparked the interest of many Americans who haven't exercised their right to vote in years. Nevertheless, making the first Tuesday in November a holiday would not be a motivating factor for those Americans who don't plan to vote anyway. If they don't feel it's their duty and obligation now how or why would calling it a holiday make them feel any differently.
Would one be so bold as to think Americans would feel it was their duty as Americans to vote on a national holiday simply because it's a holiday or would they view it as just another day and display the same voter apathy we've seen for so long?
When we begin to discuss national holidays I often wonder how many people can even tell you what those dates actually are. I'll be the first to say I sure can't name all of them.
You're usually reminded by a memo passed around the office. If you don't work in an office setting (hospital, for example), you might not realize it's actually a holiday until you pull up to your convenient local bank drive thru or local post office to find that both are completely void of any form of human life other than yourself.
Americans must make a conscience decision to exercise their right to vote. It was only recently that some of us were even allowed to exercise this right.
However, it is and always will be a personal decision. Whether it's election day or a national holiday the choice to vote or stay home is up to you.
