*steps on a soapbox*
Next week, on November 6th, I will join so many other American citizens and exercise my right (and privilege) to vote. The decision of whether I cast a Presidential vote for a man whose grandfather stormed the beaches of France during World War II to defend democracy; or vote for a man who went to France to avoid serving in Vietnam and actively believes in Joseph Smith’s teaching of a “Theodemocracy,” is not difficult – but it is not taken lightly either. Yet, perhaps the easiest choice I will make on that day will be whether or not to give the county coroner another term. (I will.)
It was Thomas Phillip O’Neill, Jr., (‘Tip’ to his friends) who once said, “All politics is local,” and the late Speaker of the House of Representatives was absolutely right. My home resides in the following Districts:
– A Congressional District
– A State Senatorial District
– A Public Service Commission District
– A State Representative District
– A County Judicial District
– A Superior Court of Georgia District
– And finally a City Council District.
Every single one of these Districts will be asking for my vote, my concurrence, on some candidate or issue that will fiscally impact me and mine for years to come. That is a simple fact. And if I haven’t taken the time to know the positions of the candidates and the issues in these 7 Districts – well, I’ll get what I deserve: expensive, but poor Government service.
The most precious thing in the world is a knowledgeable and informed electorate. An electorate that knows what it is voting for and against; that knows the consequences of that vote and knows that they (and they alone) will have to live with the final outcome long after all the outsiders that tout the social merits of any candidate (pro or con) have left.
I encourage you to vote on Tuesday, but know what you’re voting for (or against). My name is Bill and I approved this message.
*steps off soapbox and prepares to go to the polls*
Agreed.