On the day before this historic election I'd like to make the case for the difference between voting for, as opposed to voting against, or not voting at all.

When you vote against, as in "I don't like green tomatoes," you have not yet defined what you actually like. You might like red tomatoes, you might not like tomatoes at all, you might like green beans best, but deciding not to buy green tomatoes still does not put dinner on the table..

When you go to the store and buy battery cage chicken eggs you vote for that type of agriculture and for cheap eggs with your money because you are putting money towards that end. When you vote for anything you clearly state "This is what I want."

When you abstain from voting you avoid making a decision. Say you need a dress for an event and find several that you like and that are suitable, but can't make up your mind and leave the store empty handed. On the day of the event you still need to wear something, so you end up wearing something you had in your closet but that you don't really feel good about.

It is true that in life you can't always get what you want. In the wintertime there are no strawberries. Instead of being mad that you can't find good strawberries, find the best pomegranates or tangerines you can and leave it at that.

It's better to vote for something with full conviction of voting for, than not voting or voting against. When you don't vote you leave the decision to others.