It’s odd to think that your dream is not only in your hands, but in the hands of someone else as well.

I love to dream. I dream about what I want out of life, and how happy I will be once I get it. I want to live in Brownstone when I get older. That’s my dream house. I want to have a solid career directly out of college and I want to buy a Golden Retriever. I want to get married. I want superb health care.

However besides getting a degree, networking and hoping for good fortune to be on my side, I’ve never gave thought to how the state of the country will effect my life. Watching the Democratic National Convention helped me to realize that the country’s state is a bigger deal than I ever thought it was.

Quotes to Digest

“When all is said and done, when you pick up that ballad to vote you will face the clearest choice. Over the next few years, big decisions will be made on jobs, education, economy, tax and deficits, war and peace. Decisions that will have a huge impact on our lives and on our children’s lives for decades to come.” - Barack Obama

It’s interesting and frightening to think that our lives are in the government’s hands. I’ve never gave thought to voting because politics was never interesting enough to capture my attention, but Obama spoke in such clear and relateable language that I became interested. As obvious as it is, I’m realizing that the government’s decisions can affect us directly.

Quotes to Digest

 “I refuse to ask middle class families to give up deductions for owning a home or raising their kids just to pay for another millionaire’s tax cut.” - Barack Obama

Another statement I was able to relate to. I immediately thought about the Occupy Wall Street movement. People marched because of the injustices between the one percent and the 99 percent. It was nice to see Obama addressing such well known events.

Quotes to Digest

“ I don’t believe that firing teachers or kicking students off financial aid will fuel the economy or help us compete with scientists and engineers coming out of china.”- Barack Obama

 Another personal part of my life that he addressed in his speech. I immediately thought about my friend who is struggling to stay in school because of lack of financial aid.

Quotes to Digest

 “No one in this country should have to fight for a job, or a roof over their heads, or the care they need when they come home,” he said. “I’m asking you to choose that future.”- Barack Obama

I’ve decided that apart of pushing for my dreams to come true is to do exactly what Obama said and choose my future. This includes choosing who I would want to hold my life in their hands for the next four years, who will be helping to push for policies that will either help or hurt me.

For the first time in my life, I will vote in the 2012 election.