I’d like to say the ever noble thing and tell everyone to exercise their right to vote, a right that is fundamental to what our nation is all about. I’d like to say that, but I’m not sure this time. What I really want is for you to vote for the people I’m voting for. And some of you won’t.
Normally, I’m pretty good about the majority ruling, but lately I’m not so sure. I know that the alternative is not so great either, but I’ve been voting for almost 48 years now and I’m not real happy with what is going on in our country. That’s an understatement. By the time we actually have an election, we have been listening to candidates speak, throwing away an incredible amount of campaign material left in our mailboxes (hopefully recycling them), been annoyed by the phone calls that come at all hours, and been subjected to the horrendous 24 hour news cycle where so-called journalists have dropped any pretense of objective reporting for voicing their, or their network’s, opinion in the ever present sarcastic news tone used by all these days. You know what I mean.
I’ve been a good voter through the years, showing up for the most minor of elections, studying the candidates and issues, coming prepared. I don’t know anymore. I watch the people in office at every level playing the political games, surrendering their pre-office idealism for wheeling and dealing in votes. They all begin to look jaded.
This qualifies as a rant. I’m going to vote my conscience because I can’t trust any of the party platforms. I’ll do the best I can and hope that some of my candidates win and that they do what they promised. This is a year when I can truthfully say that I’m doing a lot of voting against incumbents, hoping they’ll be voted out before they do more damage. I’m a negative voter this time around.
We have a great country, made greater by its people. I’m a forever optimist who hopes we’ll get leaders who inspire us with their dedication to these wonderful people they are supposed to represent. I’ll always vote because I know how important it is, no matter whether I like the outcome or not. I vote…
Confetti Thoughts 