Our Highest Civic Duty

I've traveled all over the world. I've seen many cultures and spoken to the people from countries as far from the shores of America as you could imagine. The media would have you believe that Americans are disliked by virtually all of the various citizens of the world.

I am here to tell you that although many people of the world may dislike the political policies of the United States, most people that I have spoken to envy Americans for one thing. It's not our wealth or our high standard of living. It's not the apparent luxury of an American car. It's not even American cigarettes. Although, American cigarettes are still a prized commodity in every country of the world and are sought after by the masses like aHershey's Chocolate bar is to a child.

All of the above are indeed items that give America renown. But the one thing that people around the world nearly universally envy about America is our right to vote.

Oddly enough, the American right to vote is seen as enviable outside our country but is taken for granted by a great portion of it's citizens. More than 40 percent of the eligible voters did not vote in the 2012 National elections. In the Presidential election of 2008, nearly 63 percent of eligible citizens voted. This is a good number but hardly what the founding fathers envisioned when the Constitution was written.

In the 2000 Presidential election, the outcome was decided by some 500+/- votes in the State of Florida. Most of us remember the pictures of officials examining ballots with magnifying glasses, in a vain attempt to "determine the intent of the voter". That election was decided by the courts. The outcome of the entire process is still debated by politicians, scholars and lawyers today. By the way; voter turnout for the that election was below 55%.

After the spectacle that was the 2000 election, you would think that Americans would learn that every vote does indeed count in every election but, that's not really the case. The American people have a notoriously short memory. Yes, the election of 2004 had a better voter turn out and 2008 even better. But the 2008 turnout can be attributed to other factors then the civic duty of the electorate.

In the 2012 presidential election, voter turnout began that all to familiar slide back towards apathy. It's surprising that the turnout was so poor when you consider the difference in the candidates.

Americans are famous for complaining about government and not showing up to pick that same government. Our democracy is not difficult to understand. All you have to do is show up! Show up and cast a vote. How hard is that?

People all over the world are amazed if you tell them that you are American and don't vote. It is our most important civic duty. My children used to be surprised at how I would drill into their heads that they must vote in each and every election, no matter what the issue. If there is an election for "dog catcher", I'll vote in it! Everyone in my family votes in each election now. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about what the government is doing. You had your chance and you ignored it. So, be quiet. vote next time and I will listen to your point of view, all day.

I don't care for whom you vote. Just avail yourself of your constitutional right to do so. Don't waste your chance to let your voice be heard. In most other countries around the world, the people don't have that chance to make their true feelings known.

You need to be involved with more than Presidential elections. Your local elections are even more important. All politics are local. The local issues are the ones that will effect you fastest and most directly. You can most likely see your local Mayor with little difficulty. So, you had better make sure you vote for the person that is closest to your point of view.

I mentioned in a previous post that even with the election as close as it is, I was still undecided as to whom to vote for, for Governor. You can be sure that by election day, I will have made up my mind. I will be in line at my polling place, bright and early; as usual. It doesn't matter if my candidate wins. The fact that I made my voice heard is all that matters.

The cornerstone of our republic is representative government. If you fail to exercise your most important civic duty, you forfeit your representation. Your vote is your voice.  Make sure you are heard on November 5th.

As always...