Voting

Yesterday, I voted in an election.  That was the first election I voted in that was official (not for school or something similar).  Being 18 years old brings some new responsibilities to me.  One of those responsibilities in my opinion is voting.  Everyone who is of the voting eligibility age has a civic duty or responsibility to vote.  Since we are supposed to be responsible and vote, we are also supposed to be informed.

There are ways for all of us to be informed.  Everyone, if not a very large majority of everyone, has access to internet, newspapers, magazines, or other places with political information.  People may say, "I don't have time." Well, I honestly believe you can always find time for it, even if it is just ten or twenty minutes for a couple nights. If you say you don't have time because of things in your life, like your kids for example, that is a problem in my eyes.  If you don't take the time to get informed, or don't vote at all, your kids will be the ones paying for it in the end.  The voting now will affect the next generation as well as ourselves.  I don't want my future children growing up in a world worse than it is now.  I believe that the way the world is now is pretty bad, and I can't imagine having to grow up a world worse than it is.

The actual act of voting is a very important responsibility.  Like I said, voting will affect us now and later on.  If something will affect you, why wouldn't you want a say in it?  After I voted, a lady working at the election came over and talked to me.  She thanked me for coming to vote and said it's good that I am voting.  She also said she hopes I continue to vote, be politically active, and fulfill my civic duty.  I found what she said next very interesting.  It was something I had talked about in my government class and am a firm believer of.  She said that so many people complain about what is going on the nation right now, and the first thing she says back to them is, "Did you vote?"  She told me that if they say no, she tells them don't complain at all.  You have absolutely no right to complain if you didn't vote.  You didn't try to make a difference if you didn't vote.  Then she told me that if they say yes, she tells them to complain all they want because they tried to make a difference and didn't get what they wanted.  I agreed with her 100%!  That was perfect.

With this, I hope that everyone votes and continues to vote every time they get a chance.  And I challenge you to be informed and make wise decisions.  I know that God will help you find the information you need to make the correct decision.  He will lead if you allow Him to.  So let's find out what God says the best thing is and go vote on that basis!