About voting...

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I did not want to tack this on @ the end of one of those long conversations about this election & have it get overlooked. It is from a speech by Granny D (a.k.a. Doris Haddock). If you've never heard of her, she is easily researched on the web.

This has resonated w/ me over many years now & I find myself going back to it again & again:

"...I am not exaggerating when I say that a heroic life is called for, and that you must rise to that call if you are to live in a good world.

And this heroism begins with simple acts of faith like voting.

Yes, I hear so many people say that it doesn't matter, that whoever is elected will do as they please, that life doesn't get better when we elect different people.

Americans are spoiled into expecting instant gratification. An election is not a deliverance, it is a small ratcheting up of the system, bringing it closer to our values if we are lucky. It is imperfect and almost invisible in its effect. We vote, we build on that success, we vote again, we build on that, we vote again. Democracy is hard work, and the work of a lifetime.

The powerful elite would have you believe that voting doesn't matter: they don't mind you leaving it all for them to decide.

But it is your world, not theirs. It is your life, and you mustn't let them steal it. ..."

(Bold emphasis added)

Featured Answer

runninginplace

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

We all grow up with something our parents did, or said, or didn't do or say, that profoundly influences us for life. Hopefully for the better!

For me, it was that my mother *always* voted. Always. Regardless of how inconsequential or inconvenient it was, she did not miss her opportunity to cast a vote in every election from local reps to the President. And she taught me that voting is not only a privilege, it is a sacred responsibility that each of us carries within ourselves as citizens. So I vote in each and every election; every primary, every boring no-competition race, every time. I think of my mom and I do it in part to honor her ideals and her integrity. And I do it because it is so important.

I'm very proud and pleased that both our children also vote consistently. And it's one of my longest and deepest disappointments that my husband does not--he literally owns the button that reads 'I don't vote, it only encourages them' and I tell him with regularity that if he doesn't vote, I'm not going to listen or discuss politics or problems with those elected officials because he has no right to an opinion!

So this is my own line in the sand-everybody is responsible for voting. No excuses and no reasons are sufficient in my mind to excuse any one.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

girlnamedgalez8a
10 years ago
Very well said. Thanks for sharing.
monicakm_gw
10 years ago
Thank you for sharing. I hope everyone reads it! I vote for the conservative platform. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred (sigh).
Related Professionals
Richmond Furniture & Accessories · Chambersburg Furniture & Accessories · Fredericksburg Furniture & Accessories · Waterloo Interior Designers & Decorators · Glenwood Springs Interior Designers & Decorators · Saint George Interior Designers & Decorators · Medford Interior Designers & Decorators · London Interior Designers & Decorators · Columbia Architects & Building Designers · Victoria Architects & Building Designers · Richmond Architects & Building Designers · Bangor Architects & Building Designers · Watertown Architects & Building Designers · Salinas Architects & Building Designers · Seattle Architects & Building Designers
dedtired
10 years ago
In this election, I think people are overlooking that there are important local elections going on as well. If you can't bring yourself to vote for Trump or Clinton, at least go and vote for local candidates. We have had elections that were decided by only a few votes, so every vote does count.
blfenton
10 years ago
I always have an opinion on our Federal and Provincial politics so voting in those elections is never a problem.

When it comes to civic elections, if I don't have an opinion on the mayors ( i live in a small suburb, mayors can't do much damage) but know and like one of the people running for councillor I will go and vote for them..
cawaps
9 years ago
California has 18 state initiatives on the ballot this year. I'm dreading voting; it's going to take forever to go through everything. But I'm a permanent vote-by-mail voter, thank goodness, so I can sit in my comfy living room chair and take as long as I want with my ballot. But I'm definitely going to vote.
User
9 years ago
This is so true but you don't realize it until you've lived a few decades, and can compare where we are now with where we were before. Our young Americans need to be encouraged to vote.
gsciencechick
9 years ago
We went to early voting today. Surprisingly not much of a wait at this particular location which is why we chose it, but they said when they opened up at 1 p.m. the line was out the door. They had a lot of voting machines and things moved smoothly. Our ballot was also pretty long. Lots of state, local, and judicial races, plus 3 bonds initiatives.
User
9 years ago
Early voting begins here today through Nov. 4. I'l probably hold off until Election Day. my regular location is much more convenient than the early voting place.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
Original Author
9 years ago
Hubby & I already voted early w/ mail-in ballots. I love the convenience of being able to sit down w/ my ballot & take my time researching the candidates, referendums, etc.
User
9 years ago
We got samples of our ballots so we can make our decisions ahead of time. We only have 5-6 other things besides POTUS.