Reagan was running for governor of California, and there were various city and county issues on the ballot. But I didn't care. I was getting married that November, and I was too busy to be bothered by something as insignificant as an election. I didn't have the time or the interest to get involved.

Fact is, though, we don't have time not to get involved! To keep democracy alive and well, we must exercise our right to vote. And those city and county items on the ballot—like Measure B to fund county libraries facing voters on March 2—often affect our lives more quickly and directly than the national issues.

But I wasted my first opportunity.

My first vote? Well, I pretty much wasted that, too ... cast it for Richard Nixon in '72. How was I supposed to know? After all, it was the first time I ever voted!

Actually, the very first time in my life I remember voting was back in the 1960 presidential race when we held a mock election in Mr. Carrillo's sixth-grade class at Daves Avenue School. Voted for Nixon that time, too (hey, I was only 11 years old!).

Anyway, it would be years before I would vote again, but it wouldn't be in a political race ... it was for our high school cheerleader squad in my junior year. I remember voting for one girl in particular, and my reasoning was simple, yet sound ... she was drop-dead gorgeous!

Hey, you've got your hidden agenda, I've got mine. And it's not like we were looking for a nuclear physicist to lead the cheers at the football rallies. As long as she could spell "T-O-U-G-H, T-E-A-M" that's all that mattered. So why not pick one who wasn't hard on the eyes?

It was probably the one and only time I took looks into consideration when casting a vote (after all, I did vote for Nixon). Oh well, I learned an important lesson. There's more to politics than what meets the eye.

I put that newfound knowledge to work later that year when I helped a buddy in his campaign for student body president. We stressed the important issues, we emphasized his strengths, we highlighted his experience ... he lost to the cheerleader.

That pretty much soured me on politics, and I didn't return to the active political arena until I helped my youngest son in his bid to become fifth-grade president at his elementary school quite a few years ago.

I took over Kevin's campaign. I helped him write his speech, I lectured him on the ethics of an honest campaign, I told him not to make promises he couldn't keep ... he got buried by the kid who gave out candy at recess!

So when my oldest son indicated that he planned to run for student body vice president a couple of years later, I decided to back off. I would only help if he asked.

He didn't ... so I offered anyway.

"Hey, Mike, if you need help with the campaign, I'm available," I said willingly.

"Uh, no thanks, Dad," he stammered. "I think I've got enough help."

"Good answer," said Kevin.

"Anyway," added Mike, "didn't you vote for Nixon?"

Cheap shot!

"Well, fine," I said rather indignantly, "then you'll just have to run without my help."

He did ... and he won.

OK, so I'm no political expert. But that doesn't lessen my enthusiasm for political races. And it shouldn't, because in a democracy we all have the right to participate in the process. Of course, it's better to study the candidates and issues rather than just vote for someone because they're drop-dead gorgeous.

Don't waste your vote. But more importantly, don't waste the opportunity.

Want to talk? Call me at 408.354.3110, ext. 31, or drop me a note at dsparrer@svcn.com.