November 4th, 2008 | by KateDouglas |
Why, you ask? Well, for those of you who are American citizens, at least, it’s election day, and in my entire life, I’ve never known a time in our country when exercising the right to vote was more important. (And since I’m getting closer to sixty every day, there have been a lot of election days in my past!) If you’re at all like me, you’ve watched enough political stuff to be sick and tired of the rhetoric, but please don’t be so sick of it that you decide not to take the time to vote. I live in a rural area where we don’t rate a polling place, so I voted by mail last week, but I will admit that I still break out in chills when I finally finish marking my ballot and stick it in the envelope. We are so privileged to have the opportunity to express our personal choices in open and free elections. Men and women have died for our right to cast our vote–in other countries, where voting isn’t a right, people are still dying for the chance to one day democratically select their own elected officials. Don’t let anyone cheat you out of your right to vote–there are a lot of scams going around right now–mailers to people saying that because the polls are so busy, Democrats should vote on November 5, (WRONG!) or that it’s okay to vote by phone. (IT ISN’T)! If you haven’t already voted early, Tuesday, NOVEMBER 4 is your last chance. It’s pretty important stuff, when you come down to it. Elections have been won and lost by just one vote–don’t let it be yours, the one you didn’t cast. No matter who you support or whether you lean left or right or plant yourself firmly in the middle, please remember to go to the polls November 4. This is too important to leave to someone else…do it for your friends, for your kids, for your grandkids, for your significant other…but most of all, do it for yourself.
Well said, Kate! I’m going to vote tomorrow morning! YAY!
by Shelli Stevens · November 4th, 2008 at 1:50 amI agree with Shelli.. well said..I will be voting early this afternoon, after work..not too concerned with long lines, i live in the country and our polling site is actually 10 miles off the highway on a windy gravel road at a small country church.. its a pain to get to but thats the way it is and i will do it and excercise my right, that my husband fights so hard to give other people..it is slowly killing me lately that he is away again fighting another war.. but he is proud of what he does and does what he is ordered to do..dont get me wrong, its not all selfish reasons that it kills me.. yes i miss him dearly in alot of ways.. but he misses so many things.. last time he missed our oldests.. first date.. first prom.. driving..the kids school functions.. and our youngests first day of kindergarten..this time .. well hard to say what he will miss..
by Jolene · November 4th, 2008 at 9:33 amwell enough of my rambling..i catch myeslf doing alot of that…lol..
i agree wholeheartedly with Kate.. VOTE!
Thanks, Shelli, and Jolene, what your husband is doing is why each and every vote is so important. When a man is willing to be away from the ones he loves and risk his life as a representative of this country fighting on foreign soil, it’s absolutely criminal that someone living here where they are safe and warm would NOT take the time to vote. I think about you and your spouse every day and wish him safe keeping–and that the days just fly by for you!
by Kate Douglas · November 4th, 2008 at 10:37 amI voted early this year. No lines, no hassle, and my voice is heard. Woohoo!
VOTE, everyone!
by Crystal Jordan · November 4th, 2008 at 3:33 pmThe last few years my absentee gets sent back saying they can’t read my signature. So today I went down to the poll and did it in person to make sure there’s no b.s. this time. It’s too important. And I took my kid so she could see how special it is.
by Shelli Stevens · November 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pmGlad to hear you guys cast your votes! I’m sitting here right now watching the election results, and it is so EXCITING!
by Kate Douglas · November 4th, 2008 at 11:28 pmI’m thrilled at the outcome!!
by Shelli Stevens · November 6th, 2008 at 2:02 amMe too, Shelli, except for Proposition 8 in California which outlaws same sex marriages and takes away a lot of basic rights from gay couples. It’s just wrong–I can’t imagine that it’s legal to legislate discrimination and I hope that the attorneys working on it can find a way to overturn the vote…especially since it was funded by a lot of churches from outside California and the ads they broadcast were filled with lies. It was really ugly, and the fact it passed makes me physically ill.
by Kate Douglas · November 6th, 2008 at 2:29 am