My Tiny Republican

So I went to have lunch with Ksenya at school last week and she was so excited,
"I voted today Mom!"
"Really? Who did you vote for?"
"John McCain!"
"Why did you vote for him?"
"Cuz he's a good guy"
"How do you know he's a good guy?"
"Because his name is John and I think he's a cowboy"
"Who else could you have voted for?"
"I think the other guy's name is Osama"
--insert a hearty chuckle from Mom--
"Actually it's Barack Obama"
"Oh yeah, that's him"
"Why didn't you vote for him?"
"Well, I think he's a bad guy, my teacher says he's not, but I think he is"
"Why do you think he's a bad guy?"
"I don't know."
"Well, what were you voting for?"
"The winner"
"The winner of what?"
"Of the vote"
"Was it for the President of the United States?"
"yep - that was it . . the WINNER of the President"
"So why is it important that we vote?"
"cuz it's fun Mom!"
"But it's also important"
"yep - that's why we do it at school"
--insert Mom pondering quickly how to teach her daughter about freedom vs socialism in a school cafeteria--
"Did you know that if we make a bad guy our President then he can tell us where we go to the Dr, how much money we can have, and even what a family is? He can take some of our choices away . . . do you think that's a good idea?"
"Can he tell me what to eat for lunch? (this as she eyes the carrot in her lunchbox)"
"Yep - it could get to the point that he can tell you even that"
"that's not good is it Mom?"
"Nope - that's why freedom is important, so that we can make choices . . . Heavenly Father wants us to be able to make choices so we can learn to make good choices."
"I make good choices all the time mom!"
"I know sis."

Tyler and I talk about politics all the time, but I've never talked to her about it . . . thankfully she took all the information she was given at school (Yes, I'm going to find out what was taught in that arena) and made an informed decision, even if it was based on him being a "cowboy". I guess I just didn't anticipate having this conversation with my 5 year old. We come from pretty patriotic stock though and I remember hearing once that whatever is important to parents will be important to kids so it figures that she's already a determined little Republican.

No news yet as to who won at the Elementary School Polls, but I'll keep you posted!!! Too bad I didn't know about the vote before hand - I'd have given her the option of a write-in for Mitt Romney (I bet that would shock her teachers!)