The value of voting

Vote! If you value your freedom. Vote! If you are young, old, medium age, whoever you are, if you care about today, and tomorrow. Vote! If you want safety for children, women, minorities and all others.

Vote! If you want to keep the right to vote (and for it to be counted).

Vote! If you want to live in a country that values respect and decency.

If someone were to hit you and give you a nasty look, you might take it seriously, at least enough to consider not messing around with that person. That’s how I am reacting to what I perceive as assault by various factions regarding my (our) freedom, rights, safety and needs. To name any persons or groups seems potentially inflammatory. Besides, it is my intention to keep good sense, kindness and compassion as operating principles for my life, and not categorize, blame or be trapped by prejudice, hate and fear. That’s my intention.

Democracy, which as I see it, stands for fair play and liberty for all, is being threatened, especially recently, by actions, words and attitudes of anarchists and those who seek power and riches for themselves only (usually at the expense of others). It is more important now than ever to stand up for democracy, stand up for the life we want for our children, for those we care for and for ourselves. Democracy itself is in trouble.

But care is needed. Confidence is a good thing. But overconfidence, which is usually built on delusions or hyperactive ego, can lead to complacency and even laziness. Complacency can lead to not voting, due to believing what we want to accomplish is “in the bag;” or, on the other hand, believing our vote won’t make any difference. Don’t go there. If our government is taken over by self-seeking factions and individuals, we’ll be in trouble. Democracy is already in trouble. The need to stand up is now, not in the faroff future.

I belong to the Democratic Party, if you haven’t guessed. The Democratic Party is not perfect by any means, but it is strong enough to stand up to the more destructive and self-seeking forces of anarchy and authoritarianism. Please pay attention to what is going on in our country and the world — and act. The time is now. This election (Nov. 8) is important. Vote early, if you can. And who knows? Perhaps believing in democracy and working for it will make a difference. We all need to “bite the bullet.” Vote! If you want the right to choose. Vote! If you want a sustainable environment for our children, and all other life.

Vote! If you want leaders who will listen and work for peace, fairness and the wellbeing of everyone.

Vote! If you want privacy in your life. Vote! Stand up! Speak out! If you want others to believe in the power and goodness of democracy.