It is so important that we get out and make our choice for leadership. If you can, take someone with you who physically can't make it to the polls. I had a voter car pool going, taking a few elderly members of my community out to the polling place with me.
We have the opportunity to choose who we want to lead us and many people have died to give us this right. I feel very strongly about this as a woman. This country had been in existence as a nation for 144 years before we women were given the right to vote, then only by the slimmest of margins. And the US still suffers from inequality where women are concerned.
I digress.
Voting is our only way of making our voice heard as to what we want for our nation. If you don't vote, then really, what can you complain about? You didn't speak up. I only hope that when the results are in, we do an about face from last time. That we have respect for the winners as well as those defeated. That we come together in a bi-partisan manner instead of shouting vile names and refusing to cooperate. What I have taken away from the last four years is seeing bigotry, narrow-mindedness and ignorance rule the day. Change has to come and change always costs. It is difficult, sloppy work. A lot of things happen that we may not always like, but it takes a whole lot of mess-making to remodel a house, landscape a garden, etc. Change ultimately requires one to look beyond their own nose and see other possibilities.
Let's hope these next four are much better. We need to get beyond the middle school bullshit and get back to work.
Here's hoping that people make the right decisions :) The past 4 years have flown by!
ReplyDeleteJamie
They sure have! I hope we make the right decision to as there is so much that this country still needs to have fixed. It's getting better, but the road is still long. :)
DeleteThis was nicely put Melissa. My daughter is voting for the first time this year and she's a nervous wreck about it. She's planning on being there the minute the polls open.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
Thank you, Anne! How exciting for your daughter. I know she's nervous, but the people in the polling places are wonderfully helpful.
DeleteYou have a terrific day as well. :)
Good for you, Melissa! Your voter car pool, allowing elderly voters to get to the polls, is a wonderful idea. In Australia, we have compulsory voting in elections, and I have to say, it seems to make the process a lot simpler.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma. Compulsory voting sounds like very simple way to get things going instead of all this endless campaigning.
DeleteThat's right - can't complain if you don't vote! And respect no matter who wins and no slamming the one who didn't. No blame game either.
ReplyDeleteWe have early voting as well and I've already cast my vote.
Exactly! You know, if all of us who have differing views can come together in a blog community on an international scale, then why not? Here's to better, more peaceful time.
Deleteah, for us little people around the world, any US president pretty much represents the same evil :( We've never experienced anything nice from any of the previous one.
ReplyDeleteWell, we have to work on that, don't we? What happens between individual people like friendship should translate to politics as well and that is certainly not the case. Here's hoping we have a a peaceful four years this next term on all levels.
DeleteI agree, no moaning or complaining if you do not vote! Well said :D
ReplyDeleteI love that you have a car pool going! I'm taking my son when he returns from his classes! :D
Why thank you, Ella! I love that you and your son are voting together. I remember going to the polls with my parents the first time I voted. It was amazing.
DeleteI voted today. My vote may count for the local elections. But in the general election, this state always goes RED.
ReplyDeleteIn the popular vote across the country, your vote does count. I believe every one's voice matters and I am happy you went out and made yours heard in spite of living in a state where your view isn't the commonly held one.
DeleteI'm kinda scared to see what happens... but I hope more people voted than last time. I'm starting to think we in the US and Canada should have mandatory voting, the way they do in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI was nervous, too. I think more people turned out this time, but I agree that we should do something to get more people out to the polls.
DeleteA very nice post - you rock so much - helping others get out to vote. I'm posting after a winner has been announced - and I think you're happy with the results. Let's see what we see in the morning - hope no weird upsets pop up!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Craig! Though I must confess to a teensy bit of name calling in my victory dance. ;) I'm only human LOL I can't wait to read your post.
DeleteVery well said, Melissa. Change is a messy business and a struggle but we need to keep working at it or slide into the pit of historical ignorance from times past.
ReplyDeleteP.S. May I join you in the victory dance? ;)
Thanks, Laura! We need to keep going no matter how messy because things really need to change.
DeleteAnd heck yes! Let's shake our tail feathers in a victory dance. :)