Voting
Tuesday is the big day. After years of political ads, we will finally get to vote our choice for POTUS. This time around I have been pretty quiet about my political leanings. Occasionally I was compelled to crawl out of my self-prescribed political hole and tell people that they were wrong...I mean tell them my opinion. ;) I've noticed something different this time around though. Usually I have various friends posting various political memes, ads, or opinions. However, this time I've seen more people complaining about everyone else voicing their political views.
Really? It bothers you that people in our country are engaged in a peaceful form of discussion about a topic and decision that affects our entire nation? I don't agree with all of my friends, but I DO appreciate seeing people engaged in our peaceful political process. Seriously, people are dying in other parts of the world to do what we do. I'm happy to skim through people's political posts. Yes, certain friends might post more often than others and be less open to opposing views than others. Again, the worst they do is try to tell me I'm wrong. That's okay. I don't mind. I'm secure in my views. I listen, and then I simply don't post a response. Or I do. But mostly I don't.
Personally, I find the political process fascinating. I've backed off in the last couple of years because I've had more important things going on, but I still love it. It really is a privilege to vote, to be able to have a voice in choosing laws and leaders. However, even if I wasn't fascinated with the process, I would still participate. I don't vote in elections because it makes me feel good or because it's enjoyable. I vote because it's important. How can I not add my vote to the numbers when I'm asked to participate in the process that will elect the people with the power to run our town, county, state, or nation? It's important.
I remember my mom taking me with her to vote when I was growing up. Sometimes I went inside with her, sometimes I stayed in the car, sometimes she even went without me. But I knew every year that both of my parents had voted, and that knowledge ingrained the importance into my head and heart. Now for nearly every election since my first son was born, my kids have gone with me to the polls. I've brought them in baby carriers, strollers, whatever it took. This Tuesday it's supposed to be cold and rainy. When I saw the weather, even my first thought was "Ugh. I have to drag the kids out in that kind of weather?" But yes, I will drag them. They will wait in line with me and watch me cast my vote. It will be a field trip! What better way to teach them how important this process is in our country. Taking them with me to vote is one of the little ways I hope to ward off apathy and crippling cynicism in their little hearts.
So before you complain about people posting on facebook about the election or try to prove your superiority by posting how tired you are of the election and people's opinions on it, remember how amazing it is that we get to CHOOSE OUR LEADERS! We don't even have to worry about getting shot or blown up in the process or having someone force our vote. Bonus! Take part! If you have kids, take them with you. Yes, it's harder, but do it anyway.
And that's my political blog post for the year. This post is sponsored by WALAP- Women Against Leggings As Pants. ;)
Really? It bothers you that people in our country are engaged in a peaceful form of discussion about a topic and decision that affects our entire nation? I don't agree with all of my friends, but I DO appreciate seeing people engaged in our peaceful political process. Seriously, people are dying in other parts of the world to do what we do. I'm happy to skim through people's political posts. Yes, certain friends might post more often than others and be less open to opposing views than others. Again, the worst they do is try to tell me I'm wrong. That's okay. I don't mind. I'm secure in my views. I listen, and then I simply don't post a response. Or I do. But mostly I don't.
Personally, I find the political process fascinating. I've backed off in the last couple of years because I've had more important things going on, but I still love it. It really is a privilege to vote, to be able to have a voice in choosing laws and leaders. However, even if I wasn't fascinated with the process, I would still participate. I don't vote in elections because it makes me feel good or because it's enjoyable. I vote because it's important. How can I not add my vote to the numbers when I'm asked to participate in the process that will elect the people with the power to run our town, county, state, or nation? It's important.
I remember my mom taking me with her to vote when I was growing up. Sometimes I went inside with her, sometimes I stayed in the car, sometimes she even went without me. But I knew every year that both of my parents had voted, and that knowledge ingrained the importance into my head and heart. Now for nearly every election since my first son was born, my kids have gone with me to the polls. I've brought them in baby carriers, strollers, whatever it took. This Tuesday it's supposed to be cold and rainy. When I saw the weather, even my first thought was "Ugh. I have to drag the kids out in that kind of weather?" But yes, I will drag them. They will wait in line with me and watch me cast my vote. It will be a field trip! What better way to teach them how important this process is in our country. Taking them with me to vote is one of the little ways I hope to ward off apathy and crippling cynicism in their little hearts.
So before you complain about people posting on facebook about the election or try to prove your superiority by posting how tired you are of the election and people's opinions on it, remember how amazing it is that we get to CHOOSE OUR LEADERS! We don't even have to worry about getting shot or blown up in the process or having someone force our vote. Bonus! Take part! If you have kids, take them with you. Yes, it's harder, but do it anyway.
And that's my political blog post for the year. This post is sponsored by WALAP- Women Against Leggings As Pants. ;)
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