Time to Vote

Two power-packed writing conferences this month have kept my brain so full that I forgot to write my monthly blog. My apologies. I just wanted to take a minute to say how thankful I am for the opportunity to get further training on my craft. I love learning! A big thank you to those experienced writers who gave their time and wisdom to those of us who are still learning.

I’m looking forward to voting in this election because I believe in the democratic process. I am extremely thankful for the right to vote. The United States has experienced over 200 years of freedom because of the democratic process. After numerous years of internal conflict, other nations of the world are slowly turning to the United States, deciding they can no longer rule their country with communist or socialist beliefs. Why? The democratic process, with it’s flaws, really works.

Americans have been given the right to vote, yet many choose not to. I don’t understand. I would have voted in the 1976 election had I not been 6 years old at the time. At that age, I didn’t understand the difference between Democrats and Republicans. I didn’t understand the platform each candidate stood on. What mattered to me was Jimmy Carter was from Georgia, my home state. Any time he came on TV, I’d stop what I was doing and listen to him share his vision for the future of America. He was the greatest in my eyes. My parents took me with them them when they voted. I was invited to experience the process. To my delight, the presidential candidate I liked, won. This experience laid the foundation of my strong belief in the responsibility each American has to vote.

My parents never forced the responsibility to vote down my throat; instead they modeled it by explaining the process and by taking me to vote with them. I am very thankful they took the time to answer all of my silly questions.  I truly wanted to understand the process of electing people to office because they placed value on it. Kids cannot follow what they don’t see modeled.

My husband and I have talked about this election with our boys. They don’t really understand the difference between Democrats and Republicans because we are focusing more on what each candidate believes. We explain the importance of taking the time to stand in the lines and vote, allowing our voices to be heard. And I will follow the modeling I received by taking them with me when I vote. While we stand in line, I’ll explain how voting is important to the success of our nation. I’ll share the wisdom my Dad shared with me: If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain when political things don’t go they way you’d like them to go. I pray these experiences will carry with my boys throughout their lives and the lives of their children.

I believe in the democratic process. How about you? Will you take the time to vote in this election? If not, why not?