I recently had the opportunity to participate in a presentation of the United States Constitution to the seventh-grade class at Murdock Middle School. I must make note that we should be proud of this outstanding group of respectful, interested and attentive young men and women. It was my pleasure to meet with them.

At the conclusion of our formal program our comments turned to Election Day. I questioned the youngsters and asked if they felt voting was a “privilege.” The majority of the nearly 300 pre-teens raised their hands in affirmation. I paused and then told them I disagreed. It is not “a privilege” or even “a right,” I said. Many of the boys and girls looked puzzled as I am sure for most of their lives that this was what they there were told. I said, “No, it is not!” I added that for over the past 235 years more lives were sacrificed than we could count and hundreds of thousands of gallons of blood was spilled to give us the freedom we have today. I told them that we are blessed to have the God-given opportunity to live in these here United States of America.