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The Election Should Be A Starting Point For Our Energy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? James 2:14

One of my friends works in technology. He has 60 employees around age 30 and younger. He listens a lot, is a sage observer and is impressed by the passion and energy young adults bring to the workplace.

"The place was buzzing on Election Day," he said. "You could literally feel the excitement."

The phenomenon was widespread in and around this community. High school seniors eager to vote, talking politics and helping where they could. College students campaigning, lobbying, arguing and getting out the vote. Young professionals energized by the possibility of making a difference.

As the dust settles this week, I've found myself with a variety of emotions:

•Satisfaction: The aftermath of a spirited election, fairly contested and gracefully concluded. This is America's gift to the world.

•Pride: Upwards of 130 million people voted peacefully in a compelling testimony to democracy in action. Way to go, America.

•Frustration: Voters in Hillsborough County have been disrespected by a supervisor of elections office clearly not ready for something this big.

•Hope: Freedom still means everything, and today the promise of America is clearly accessible to everyone prepared to work hard and believe.

•Belief: It was Jesus who said, "All things are possible for those who believe." Not ruby slippers, no pie in the sky, no wishing on a star. This kind of belief is conceived in experience.

•Concern: Can we really move forward toward peace and stability, or was this election simply a shift of balance in the established halls of power?

Which leads me back to the 20-somethings in my friend's office. They hold a quality of belief that has emerged, painstakingly, from 232 years of verifiable American history, an experience defined by promise, struggle, determination, accountability, triumph and steps forward and back. Their enthusiasm begs the question, "What now?"

It's time to step up, and here in Hillsborough County, we need to encourage our young adults. Their belief needs now to spill over into constructive action. Passion without positive action quickly becomes chatter without cause, and we all know that talk is cheap.

I'd like to challenge our young adults to run for public office, work with the homeless, attend public meetings, let your voice be heard, pool your resources to fight for social change and vote in these numbers every time there's a ballot to be had.

Don't let the momentum slip away. Enough with the talk.

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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