In a bit over 24 hours (if you are from the United States) you will have your last chance to affect the various local, regional and national elections of this year. As the USA attempts to claw it's way out of economic distress and re-evaluate it's purpose on the international stage we all face tough decisions. Decisions we should not take lightly for our ability to make these decisions were hard fought for and rigorously defended. As a citizen of the USA I take election day extremely personally. I find it my honor and duty to research the candidates and issues being brought forth to the best of my ability, culling data from multiple sources, to form what I consider the best opinion that I can reasonably make. With those decisions in hand I find my way to the polling station and make what little mark I can on the direction I believe we need to go in, together.
I am not going to endorse an idea or candidate here. Instead I am just reminding you that even if you don't believe it matters, even if you don't think you make a difference, you have a responsibility to make yourself heard. You may not think you are informed enough, or savvy enough, or even important enough to make decisions for others, but that isn't what the elections are about. They are about giving everyone in our society, those who work or benefit from or both, the ability to take ownership in our nation by directing the policies we all will abide by.
So, this November 6th, if you haven't already, go vote. I look forward in waiting in line with you. We can talk about how disappointing the Cleveland Browns are (no biggie, I'm used to it) or how Hurricane Sandy kicked our butts or even what your favorite doughnut place is. What I will not talk to you about however, is how little voting matters, or how rigged the system is, etc. Talking does very little, action accomplishes things.
Take action. Go vote. It is a little bit of your duty as a citizen.
ps. I love this story from a big rig trucker who volunteers at the polls every election. - via
storycorps
