Get Out There & Vote!

In the past couple of weeks I have come across a variety of people who, for one reason or another, have chosen not to participate in the Presidential Election this year. One friend is even going to the polls, yet refraining from casting a vote for President, because of feelings of discontent with the way the campaigning ended up. One parent I spoke with at one of my boy's soccer games told me he's never voted in his life!! I cannot even put into words how strongly I feel about this. This Country was built on Democracy and Freedom. Our founders worked very hard to make this a place where everyone's voice is heard. Unfortunately, in this imperfect world, lots of people feel their voices don't count. Others feel that by voting "for the lesser of the two evils," they are going against their conscience. I saw a bumper sticker on a van that said something to the effect of "throw away your vote, not your conscience!" I don't believe either of the two men leading this race is actually "evil." Unfortunately, we don't yet live in an ideal world where opinions can be expressed w/out negative feedback. Politics get ugly. The media put their own slant on things, and it looks even uglier. It's always been this way. Refraining from voting WILL NOT change that. And I don't think any ONE person will ever match anyone's heart and conscience fully. I think you have to look at who will be working with your candidate. And I think you have to involve yourself in legislation by calling, writing letters, organizing rally's, etc. I believe all that can be expected if you refrain from participating, or refrain from voting, is that your voice will not be heard. If you don't like the two major candidates, vote for someone else, or even WRITE IN a name. Voting is not only a privilege, but a responsibility of the citizens of this Country. As women, I think it is even more important to make our voices heard; for so long, we were not allowed to vote. Many women before us worked and struggled hard to make sure their daughters and grand-daughters would have this right and privilege! I do think it's certainly our right to abstain from that responsibility, for we are lucky enough to live in this wonderful country! I think though, that by not voting, a person is doing a disservice to their fellow country-women and men, past, present and future! And I think if you do not cast your vote, you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. If you don't like the way things are done, get involved in changing them! Change involves action, not in-action. So please , everyone, be proactive tomorrow (now today!) and get out there and cast your ballot for President!

Stepping of my soap-box now, and still not feeling like I've done quite enough to rock the vote.....