My election experience: In which Lefty cries.

Wow. As an old Lefty who came of age supporting Eugene McCarthy and casting my first presidential vote for George McGovern, I am used to being disappointed by American elections. This time was different. I have never been as proud of my country as I was last night when Barack Obama was elected. When the result was finally announced, it brought tears to my eyes.

Look, I know we still face enormous problems and one election doesn't mean that greed, superstition, hatred, bigotry, and fear - all the conservative values - are now gone. But those on the left, like PZ Meyers, who are already grumbling that "yes this is nice but the glass is still half empty" are missing the point. Their pessimism, at this time in history, strikes the wrong note.

I volunteered as a poll worker for the first time yesterday and that experience boosted my confidence in the fairness and integrity of the process. The security measures that I saw were good. The voting equipment (paper ballots and a ballot reader plus one touch-screen machine) performed well and provided a paper audit trail. I could not, think of a scenario that would allow someone to alter our vote count without being detected. Not that it couldn't be done, but it would be very risky and immediately raise red flags.

Our poll supervisor was terrific. He was well organized, enthusiastic about the democratic process, and determiined that the results be fair and that everyone who wanted to vote was included. Here in Wisconsin, voters can register at the polls and then vote immediately. The only people that I saw turned away were a few who came to the wrong polling place or who had no ID to prove that they lived in the district. I strongly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to become a poll worker, do it.

Working the polls was also a powerful way to connect with the people in my community. We hear about diversity but the experience of spending 14 hours watching your neighbors file by makes it real. I saw so many people, of every ethnic background, young and old, from all walks of life, filled with hope and excitement - and also, sometimes, uneasy anticipation. I felt like I was part of a secular communion service and witnessed over and over a look of gratitude, relief, and joy on people's faces as I handed them that sacred wafer on which were written the words "I voted".

Yes, there's heavy lifting to be done yet. But if liberals don't take advantage of the favorable momentum of this election and, instead, whine about the opportunity because it's not perfect in every way, then we will fail.