Sunday’s election should provide valuable lesson for Americans.

Maybe watching the elections in Iraq will give Americans a new appreciation for their right to vote.

Anyone who values liberty had to be inspired by reports of Sunday’s election in Iraq. In fact, the brave Iraqi voters, in many ways put Americans to shame.

Although there was less election day violence than many had expected in Iraq, more than 40 people were killed in sporadic violence that included suicide bombers. Despite the attacks, almost all of the polling places opened for business, and voter turnout was unexpectedly high — a far higher percentage than the turnout for the American presidential election, in which voters had no reason to fear injury or death when going to the polls.

The election, of course, is only the beginning. Although voter turnout was high, it’s uncertain how many Sunnis cast ballots. Writing a constitution for a democratic Iraq and establishing a stable government to make sure the constitution’s provisions are carried out will be a formidable task. But the completion of an election was a victory in itself for many Iraqis.

Iraqi men and women beamed as they lifted the ink-stained fingers that marked them as having voted. Dipping a finger in the ink was a special mark of honor for the Iraqis. Voting in an election in which the outcome hadn’t been predetermined was a privilege they had not had for many years. America’s little “I voted” stickers look a little feeble by comparison.

Americans too often take their freedom and their democracy for granted. Watching Iraq’s tentative steps toward building a new government should remind us that democracy is a precious commodity that deserves more of our attention and our respect.

Some Americans continue to have reservations about this country’s role in the Iraq war. Isn’t it wonderful to live in a country where both opponents and proponents of the war are free to speak their minds? And regardless of your stand on the war, it’s exciting to see voters in Iraq willing to risk their lives to cast a ballot and try to build that kind of freedom in their own country.