Counting Down
“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” ~President Thomas Jefferson
Ladies and gentlemen, we are a week away from the midterm elections and todays post is to remind you of the importance of exercising your right and privilege to vote. I know I touch on this topic every election, but it is so important to be an active participant in our democratic process. I get so tired of people who complain about our government but when asked if they voted, give some excuse as to why they didn’t participate. I’m just going to lay it out there for you my friends…if you don’t vote, I don’t want to hear you complain about the results.
This fall, elections will have a significant impact for all of us at the local, state, and national levels. No, this is not a year for a presidential election, this is what is known as a midterm election, there are 35 seats in the Senate up for election and all 435 seats in the House are up for election. As things currently stand, the Republican party controls both the Senate and the House though the House of Representative leader, Paul Ryan is retiring at the end of his term, so the leadership of the House is also up for grabs. I’m not writing to tell you how to vote…there are enough slimy commercials out there to try and sway your opinion…I’m just telling you to do your civic duty and vote. I will advocate for one thing however, give the elections your due diligence and read up on the issues and individuals you will be voting for. Let me say that again…educate yourself on the issues and candidates before you vote. There are unbiased outlets that will allow you to read up on the people and the issues at stake at all levels of government…it doesn’t take long to read things over. See who or what lines up with your personal belief system…see what seems right and just…see if the person you are voting for truly represents your interest in a just and fair manner.
Many people are tired of politics and politicians as a whole. It seems that the system is less bipartisan and more tribal than ever. The ability to sit and discuss what is best for the people versus what is best for the party seems to be an antiquated idea whose time has run out. Media platforms such as television and radio along with our obsession with social media provides outlets for a continual bombardment of information to our brain…and the news we get is not all fake but it is bias…in some cases, to an extreme. The days of just reporting the facts of the daily news is long gone…everything comes with a spin, and it is the responsibility of the viewer…you…to use your critical thinking and follow up with fact-based information to determine the true nature of a news story. My point is this, we, as voters, have a responsibility to be educated on the issues and candidates. Like Thomas Jefferson said in his quote above, only by being aware, educated, and informed can we the voters ensure the liberties we wish to have.
Vote red, vote blue, vote green or whatever color you identify with, but just get out and vote. This election carries a huge impact on the political landscape of our country. Don’t be passive, if you are a registered voter, get out and vote. If you are not a registered voter, get ready to let others do your thinking for you…if that idea of letting other make choices for you galls you, then make sure you get registered for the next election…its really easy. Whatever the outcome, we all need to work together for to take care of each other…remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com