Just imagine what it would be like to live in Iraq at this critical moment in their long and fascinating history.

From before mankind organized itself into nation states, Iraq has been a cradle of civilization. And now, the people of this long-suffering, war torn land are about to participate in their first free elections.

It’s not coming easy.

As US officials have been predicting since June, the closer we get to these elections, the level of violence escalates to an almost unbearable level. The terrorists, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, are upping the ante everyday; not by attacking Americans but by killing Iraqi citizens who dare express a desire to participate in these elections.

Just imagine.

That’s what I’ve been trying to do these last few days; imagine what it would be like to be an Iraqi citizen at this time in their history.

I’m not very brave…at least I don’t think I am. That probably makes me no different from you or your typical Iraqi citizen for that matter. So I ask you…what would you do?

Knowing that there are literally thousands of terrorists out there gunning for you as you stand in line to vote on Sunday, would you be brave enough to risk serious injury or even death to exercise your right to vote?

This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to imagine something like this. I remember back in the 1980’s when there was horrible violence in El Salvador and Nicaragua, I tried to imagine what it would be like to live in those countries and patiently stand in line waiting…waiting…hoping that the men with guns would pass this polling place by; hoping that the troops and observers could somehow protect me from people who only wished for more death, more chaos, more destruction.

And I remember being absolutely amazed that more than 75% of the eligible voters in BOTH of those countries turned out to vote despite the threats to their lives and the lives of their families. The result? Today El Salvador and Nicaragua are functioning multi party democracies; an extraordinary achievement considering the level of murder and mayhem that existed at the time.

So what is it about voting that could instill such courage even enthusiasm in the hearts and minds of people who don’t know when they go to cast their ballot whether or not they’re going to come home alive?

Perhaps its the overwhelming almost atavistic desire to take control of one’s own life and destiny. Perhaps its a belief in something greater than oneself; country, family, God, or community. Maybe it’s something as simple as wanting to thumb one’s nose at one’s oppressors.

One thing’s for sure; whatever reason Iraqi’s go to the polls on Sunday-and from all reports the turnout is going to be incredible-their motivations are going to be a lot different than the 60% of us who voted in the last election. After all, we don’t have to worry about getting shot or blown up when exercising our fundamental right as citizens. Voting in America is something we do because we feel like we have to, or because that was the way we were brought up, or more rarely, because we believe in a candidate or a cause that moves us to the polls as a thirsty man to water.

Iraqi’s on the other hand seem imbued with a desire to bring order out of the chaos, to change their daily lives so that they can walk out of their door and not be afraid, to have a say in who governs them.

But most of all, like all people everywhere, they want peace.

Only then will they be able to raise their families, plan for the future, dream of a better life for their children, live, love, and be free to realize the potential for happiness that should be every human beings birthright.

They’re going to vote on Sunday. They’re going to vote because they can imagine that future.

Can you?


UPDATE:

Welcome to all “American Thinker” readers! This essay is cross posted at a brand new conservative group blog called “The Wide Awakes.” Stop on by and sample some great posts by some excellent writers.