Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Election Day

Today, my eldest daughter asked me if we "have to vote". I said to her "No, no one forces you to vote." I wonder what our country would be like if we were forced to vote. Probably wouldn't be a very nice place to live. It is a right that we often take for granted, and even one that we might dread having to do.
I've been stressing out a little bit about voting, and how unfair our political system is to different views. I'm upset that our choices for political office typically boil down to either a Republican or Democrat. Sure, there are other parties, but I worry that by voting for a Party X candidate, I will effectively be swaying the results in a way that I really wouldn't like.
So, I get all caught up in worrying, I tend to get stuck, and making a decision feels impossible. I try to remember to: Stop, Relax and Refocus during these times. Then I just go ahead and vote my beliefs, and I feel better. I hope my daughters can take that lesson: Stick to your beliefs even when things get confusing, and you'll be glad you did.
No one has to vote, but I think it at the very least gets us thinking about who we are and what we believe in. That is something we "have to do" if we expect to grow, learn and move forward in a positive way.

2 comments:

  1. I always feel good after I vote. It's my right and I took it. Also, I did what i could to make my voice heard, put in my 2cents. I used to find it fun to go around with my little "I voted" sticker on. Like a little kid showing i did the right thing. Now, in our area, we vote by mail. It's better in some ways but I do miss the ritual part of it.

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  2. I think I will vote by mail next time.

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