Senior first-time voter has missed a lot

Listening to the radio the other day, I heard a brief interview with a 69-year-old woman who enthusiastically planned to vote in her first presidential election.  She was voting for Donald Trump, she said, simply because he was "not a politician."

I'm 69 too. I have voted in every election since I came of age. Her story made me look back over those years to consider the past chances we both had to vote, and the issues we faced beyond the simplistic fact of most candidates being politicians.

The earliest we could have possibly voted in a federal election was in 1968 at the age of 21, the age limit back then. If you cared about issues, we had them in spades. The Vietnam War was raging with riots in the streets.

If your concern was America's greatness, this was a time to vote. But I understand. We were 21; we had other things on our minds. And the re-emergence of Richard Nixon, the happy-talk of Hubert Humphrey and the ominous bigotry of George Wallace certainly could have put a damper on enthusiasm. So, maybe a partial, if not complete, pass.

In 1972 the nation was still in Vietnam, but we were approaching the war's end.  Nixon had showed his strengths and weaknesses (though not the big one yet).  George McGovern was a classic liberal, so maybe a bit much for you. But still, a clear choice here on the important next four years. No?

Let's try 1976. A lot has happened. Watergate was only recently past. Vietnam was over, if not the pain and agony of those years. There was a window now to start afresh, to "make America great again" if that was your concern then.

A political maverick entered the field in the unknown Jimmy Carter, governor of Georgia. If religion was an impetus, here was the epitome of a moral, religious man who walked the talk. He faced an honorable Vice President Gerald Ford who was bravely riding the steed history had handed him. You could have been proud of voting either way in this election. Still not moved?

[As Election Day nears, disgust and low expectations among voters, polls show]

Now it is 1980. We were in our early 30s. In came none other than Gov. Ronald Reagan on his giant Republican horse to challenge Carter. Here was the true "make America great" politician; his "It's morning in America" tagline was touted night and day from the dour Trump scowl of greatness. No again? This is getting to look pretty dire, but let's keep going.

The Reagan years passed. His loyal VP, George H.W. Bush, an experienced world leader and another honorable man, was running for his second term in 1992.  His opponent was another unknown maverick, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton — a classic establishment vs. unknown upstart election, if that is the dynamic you were looking for. And, to top it off, you had a true maverick of political inexperience in third-party candidate Ross Perot. And yet, you couldn't quite make it to that old voting booth down at the school, even with a nonpolitician in the mix.

Moving forward. The start of the new millennium gave us the choice of another Bush, George W., or Democrat VP Al Gore. Maybe you were unhappy with the Clinton years so couldn't vote for his Veep, or maybe you were discouraged about another Bush in office, so you sat out the election again in your 53rd year as a nonvoting American.

Four years later in 2004, all had changed. The Twin Towers had fallen, the dogs of war loped across the globe. Bush ran for a second term against challenger Sen. John Kerry. Here was a chance to take a stand on the future of America in a dangerous world. No again?

Now comes the particularly exciting election year of 2008; indeed, a history-changing one. On the Democrat's side you had a confident and capable candidate, but with somewhat limited political experience, and eventually the first black American president, Barack Obama, facing a man of high honor and a true American hero, Sen. John McCain, as the Republican challenger.

The Economist called these election choices "America at its Best." You were just past 60. Why didn't this election pique your interest, draw you out? What was it  you were looking for after 50 years of chances to vote the issues, war and peace, religion, establishment vs. mavericks, morals, intelligence, race or gender politics, party loyalty? What else was needed?

[Alaskans are voting early in record-breaking numbers]

Today, as we both enter our 70th year, you have finally found a candidate worthy of your vote who has none of that past baggage; a true maverick unburdened from experience, serious issues, religion, morals, race and gender sensitivity, intelligence, integrity or party affiliation. To "Make America Great Again," you have forgotten a half-century of overall experience, honor, competence and public service by the men and women who ran for high office, both those elected and those not, to finally cast your first ballot for Trump.

Madam, I truly support and thank you for finally voting. I hope you continue to do so for many more years. I only wish you would have done it sooner. It may have helped you learn what a "Great America" really is.

While some state and federal offices may accommodate political inexperience, the president of the United States is not for seat-of-their-pants amateurs.

In the end, though, this message is not to you, but to all younger voters, or any others who have never or seldom voted. If this is the first time you can vote, or even if it is not, please do so — seriously, respectfully, knowledgeably.  When you are 70 you will be proud you did.

Tony Sisto  is retired from 34 years as a National Park Service ranger. He worked at several parks in Alaska and the Lower 48 during his career. He is proud to be a voting Alaskan, and lives in Chugiak.

The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email to commentary@alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com.