More Lake Superior agate close ups and Voter Turnout Statistics (U.S. compared to other countries)

First I would like to encourage everyone to vote tomorrow. I know that we are all tired of this election. The process in my opinion lasts way too long. However, we are fortunate that we live in a country where we can vote in a demographic process.

Year     # eligible   % who
               to vote       voted
2008      231,230       61.6
2004      220,377       55.5
2000      205,815       50.2
1996      196,928       49.0
1992      189,524       55.1
1988      181,956       50.3
1984      173,995       53.3
1980      163,945       52.8
1976      152,308       53.5
1972      140,777       55.2
1968      120,285       60.9
1964      114,090       61.9
1960      109,672       62.8
1956      104,515       59.3
1952        99,929       61.6
1948        95,573       51.1
1944        85,654       56.0
1940        84,728       58.9
1936        80,174       56.9
1932        75,768       52.5

The average percentage of eligible voters who voted in the U.S. in  national elections (including the mid-term elections) between 1960 and 1995 was only 48 percent.  When compared with the percentage of eligible people who voted in national elections during this same period in 38 other countries --  the U.S. voter turnout is the lowest.  Here are the numbers for some of these other countries:

Austria                 93%
Belgium               92%
Italy                     90%
New Zealand       89%
Germany              86%
Sweden                86%
Argentina             83%
Brazil                   83%
Australia              81%
Japan                    71%
United Kingdom  76%
France                  76%
Canada                 74%


SO PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!

Data from: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763629.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout

OK, now I'll get off my soap box.  Here are the rest of the close up pictures of rough Lake Superior agates.