Every November, on the first Tuesday, Americans are given
the chance to exercise their rights. They get to choose their leaders, things
their money gets spent on, etc. It’s really an amazing right.
Most people, who know me, know I take voting seriously. I
can’t imagine an easier thing to do as a citizen. It can only take 5 minutes of
your time. For me – it’s the thought that men and women died! They died so that people in the future (us) would be
free and have a future not under tyranny. And though our military may be
involved in places currently that don’t represent our freedom, they are
still putting their lives out there for all of us. (I’m a BIG patriot.. if you
couldn’t tell..) So really voting is no something that should be ignored – but it
is. The amount of people who actually vote is incredibly low. In 2008, there
was a record amount of voters for the presidential election. But that only
number around 57% of the population (who were old enough to vote). Were
you one of that 57%? It’s crazy. (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html)
Lets look at a few countries – In Brazil, you have to
vote, it’s called compulsory voting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting). There is really no excuse. You can be
fined for not voting. While that’s a little extreme, it still gets the people
out there to the polls. Iraq is another good case. Here was a country that had
had major political issues (and yes, still does), but I can remember watching
the TV and seeing people’s faces as they voted for the first time. They proudly
showed the camera their inked fingers. Where is that pride in the States?
So through all that – if you walk away with one thing – you should
vote. And heck, I’ll tell you to vote even if I don’t like the person you want
to vote for – I think it’s that important.
You don’t deserve the right to open your mouth and complain about your leader
if you couldn’t even get off your butt to vote. They also make these nifty
things called absentee ballots. You apply for one and then hey! You can vote in
the comfort of your own home!
But! Real reason for this post. I HATE presidential
elections. I HATE them. The way people attack each other is ridiculous. Why
would anyone want to vote for people who attack each other so viciously? It’s
just ugh.. It’s wrong and it’s gotten more and more intense as time has gone
on.
I applied for my overseas ballot and then two weeks later –
boom! – it appears in my email. I got excited and printed it out right around
the time of the first debate. Then it sat in my room. Collecting dust. Around
the time of the second debate, I finally picked up my black pen to fill in the
tiny circles. But I hesitated. Do I really care to pick one of those two men,
who verbally attacked each other? It was
embarrassing and difficult to watch. Here is our president and a man who wants
to be president, acting like 5 year-old's. And the media.. Really.. Binder full
of women? Let it go. We all know what he was saying.. and if the other person
had said it no one would have batted an eye. It’s dumb and childish to keep
picking on that. But, I had had it. I am sick of picking between the lesser of
two evils. I know some people feel strongly one way or the other but honestly?
They both have major issues. When will there come a time when we get someone
who is honest and normal? It’s incredibly hard for an average Joe, who actually
knows what’s going on, to get a good start in politics. It’s all about the $$$.
No one who is running for president really gets the average American. Is
it truly so hard to find someone who knows and is living it right alongside us?
That’s what I want. A person I can look up to. Who may have made mistakes, but
is honest, who doesn’t promise more change than he knows we can handle, who
comes from the heart not a teleprompter (may seem like I’m going after one
person, but I’m not).
Will it ever happen?
Who knows.. Hopefully in my lifetime we can leave behind the b.s. and
get to what matters. But for now, I picked my lesser of two evils. I sealed my
ballot with a heavy heart, knowing that my idea of change and progress won’t be
coming yet, regardless of who wins.
Will I be upset if the guy I voted for doesn’t win? Yeah, a
little. Will I accept whoever is president? Yes, because he is my president and because I am a
patriot and I am proud to be an American. I love my country. Shit happens. The
nice thing is 4 years down the road – we get to do it all over again!
SO! Go out and vote
if you haven’t yet! Be proud to be an American and stand up for your rights
which were won through blood, sweat and tears for without their sacrifices,
there’d be no us.
I voted. Have you?
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