Andrew J. Lederer

I wanted to help save the world.

I wanted to make up for the last seven years,

I wanted to be a good American.

I wanted to be part of the solution.

But I am not in America. I let my personal concerns dictate my whereabouts rather than the larger concerns that affect us all.

I suppose I could have gotten an absentee ballot but it just seemed so hard. I don't even know what address I'm registered at.

Last year -- perhaps due to bad handwriting -- I wasn't listed at the polling place for my new address. But they also didn't want me at my old polling place, meaning my re-registration probably was pegged to some unknown mystery address.

So, I had to fill out some special ballot that I think they wouldn't even count unless it was needed to settle the election (and they could prove it was legit.)

I mean, where does the state even think I live? Does New York have a special mystery absentee ballots?

Who knows who the best candidate is, anyway? I don't know whether Obama is better than Clinton, only that either of them is better than a Republican. (I suppose it might have helped if I had researched their positions or watched any of the debates.)

I am a bad American. I've tended to my personal needs rather than stepping up to the plate to save the world.

But then again, isn't it American arrogance to think we have the right, ability,or responsibility to save the world? Isn't that what post-imperial Europeans think we should get over?

I am a good American.

(Unless what we do really does matter.)