Let your voice count ~ go vote!

I'm not ashamed to admit I hate politics.  That being the case, I am so ready for this presidential election to be over.  On the flip side, I strongly believe in exercising our right (and responsibility) to vote.  I think it's a shame that so many people don't vote; many people don't think their vote will make a difference.  I understand that sentiment, but I do not agree. 

I think regardless of how we vote, we are still saying something.  And perhaps I'm too naive, but I can't help but think we can still get the attention of the candidates.  What if every person who was legally allowed to vote did, but none of them voted for the candidates presented to us? Would the candidates care? Would the two main parties care?

Of course, I can't expect people to agree with me.  There are plenty of people who without a doubt want Obama; there are people who without a doubt want Romney.  And there are still people cheering for the underdogs.  All that is fine.  Everyone has a right to choose a candidate, and the simple fact is not every candidate can be elected.

But personally I am tired of feeling like I have to vote for the candidate that isn't as bad as the other guy.  You know what that says to the candidates? They don't have to be good or preferred; they just have to win.  I think that's a shame.

I should probably point out I don't have a lot of voting experience.  This will only be my fourth presidential election.  However, I would like to point out something else: not once have I been in favor of either of the candidates presented to me.  The guy I root for never makes it far past the primaries.  Oh well.  Truthfully, that probably just means I'm in the minority.

Regardless, I will be voting tomorrow because I still have to believe that "we the people" have some control.  Hopefully, we can agree on that much.

American ~ Does that mean anything any more?

Years ago when I was working evenings, I would get up in the morning and watch The Early Show on CBS.  Now that I work days, I listen to the radio as I get ready to leave.  However, this morning I decided to turn the TV on and changed the channel to CBS.  And I'm glad I did.  Pat Buchanan was giving an interview to discuss his book Suicide Of A Superpower.  I have not read the book.  In fact, I hadn't heard of it until this morning.  I linked it only so you can obtain more information if you are interested in doing so.  The interview piqued my interest because Buchanan was expressing an idea that I have long been concerned about.  I even posted about it here. 

So what was Buchanan talking about? The idea that we are no longer living in a united country.  When the settlers first came to the United States, they were mostly seeking the same thing.  They wanted freedom from tyranny, freedom from persecution for their religious beliefs which were different than the Church of England's.  The people were united when the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written.  And the majority remained united by their beliefs, by their goals and ambitions even as more people came to our shores looking for something greater than what they had.  Now where is that unity? I don't see it.  The citizens of our country are so different, so independent, so focused on themselves that there is no unity.  And I fear the freedom this country was founded upon has been so abused that it will one day tear us apart.

American.  That used to mean something.