Now, don't get me wrong. I don't proclaim to be an American hero. The only American heroes right now are the brave men and women fighting and dying overseas for this country. They are the real heroes, and nobody can possibly, in any sense of sanity, deny that. Compared to them, I am but a sham.

However, in my own small, civilian way, I am an American hero. Why, you ask, have I given myself such an undeserved and ill-advised title? Because I voted today.

That's it. That's all I did, and yet I am now a Civilian American Hero.

Voting is important. That's not a cliché or an exaggeration or anything. It's just the truth. Some might argue that it is the single most important duty for every Amerian citizen of voting age, and I would be one who argues that point.

This government was created by the people, for the people. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that, especially with charges of corruption, indecency, fraud, and incessant mudslinging flying around during the final months before any significant election. It is important, however, to remind ourselves of this fact - this is OUR government, WE elected it, and WE can change our minds if we decide we don't like the way things are going.

Voting on Election Day is the duty of every single American old enough to have earned the honor. It doesn't necessarily matter who you vote for, because it's not like a test - there are no wrong answers. It just matters that you get out there and vote. You only have one voice, and you only have a chance every now and then to make a significant change in your country. This is one of your chances.

If you voted today, then I welcome you into the Brotherhood of Civilian American Heroes (BCAH). If you plan to vote today, I will also welcome you as a fellow Civilian American Hero. If you choose to abstain from voting - which is also your right - you will have no room to complain about anything for the next two years.

Think the Republicans/Democrats aren't doing a bad job? Tough. Don't like the new state measures that were or weren't passed? Deal with it. Wish you could change the way things were run? Too late.

If you don't vote, you have absolutely no right to complain. You were too lazy to go wait in a line to make your voice heard, to get your opinion out, to do your part to change the world. If you didn't vote and you don't like the way things turned out, I have no sympathy for you. None whatsoever. Get a life and remember to vote next year, or just stay quiet.

I don't mean to sound rude, but this is a very important election. A lot of things have happened in the past two years, some good, some bad. If we want more of the same or if we want change, we MUST stand up and make our voices heard! Silence will do absolutely nothing to help us!

Please, if you haven't voted already, go do so as soon as possible. Get out there and get in line and wait as long as it takes. Your vote is important, and one vote CAN make a difference. It is your duty as an American to take advantage of this extremely important right.

Remember: If you don't use it, you lose it - your chance to make a difference, your voice, your opportunity to keep things the way they are or make a change in your world. You can make a difference in this election.

But only if you vote.

Be a Civilian American Hero. Do your part to change the world!