It wasn't that long ago (1920), that women in this country won the right to vote. Essentially, women had no say so in the way this country was run. It is hard to imagine.

Today, politicians are people who are fed up with the way other people are doing things.

I mean no disrespect to those who exercise their civic rights by trying to bring about change - but let's face it, politicians, and I don't say the word in negative context, must have huge egos, for they feel they can always do things better.

But they also put their money where their mouths are and instead of complaining about issues, I believe they put their lofty notions of making the world a better place into action by running for office. Doesn't it really all boil down to bringing about change?

My sister, who I adore and love very much, is an environmentalist. She lives in Costa Rica and plants teak trees. She leaves her huge carbon footprint of a gift on the world. My family calls her 'our own little tree hugger.' She makes a living at her business while enriching the world with more trees!

I admire her, for as much as I care about the environment and global warming, I am not going to quit my job, sell everything I own and move to Costa Rica to make the world a better place.

I do envy her and the fact that she took a chance, is doing something for the environment and left the rat race behins. Oh, and I her having no credit card bills!

I admire the politicians and the environmentalists of the world. We need them. But let's face it, not all of us are cut out to do what they do.

Thinking about this makes me think about what a privilege it is to vote in this country.

Like the politicians who run for office because they are tired of others screwing things up, I feel that unless you are going to exercise your right to vote, stop whining about the state of the world today.

My fellow-women Americans, it has only been 1920 since we've been able to vote. Get out there on Oct. 22, and just do it! Everyone else who has this wonderful privilege, PLEASE, I encourage you to V.O.T.E.

The way I see it, if we are not going to run for office, the very least we can do is vote.

And like my dad says, "sometimes you can't really appreciate something until it's been taken away from you."

Voting...I bet if this right was taken away from us (felons and minors cannot vote, for example), then it would become increasingly important for us to be able to do it.

I ask all of you who read this today, please, exercise your right AND your privilege to vote on Saturday, Oct. 22.