New Hampshire's primary is now behind us. You may have had some conversations about politics with friends and family. You may have heard complaints about the outcome, or had some thoughts on some of the views of the candidates. Everyone has their own opinions and views, and is rightfully entitled to them.
I personally like talking politics. Now not at the office of course, or to the point where I'm in an argument, but I find it interesting to hear people's thoughts and to get my own thoughts out, of course. Unfortunately, the day after the primary, I found it hard to find anyone to have a conversation with. Reason being, I found very few people I knew that voted! WOW! I was surprised! I feel what was even worse than them not voting was that they didn't feel bad about it, and even defended their position! Some of the excuses I heard were: " I didn't have time.", "I didn't know where to go.", "What's the big deal?", "What's the primary?", " I didn't know what any of the candidates stood for.", " That was yesterday?", and " I don't like any of the candidates running."
As an American Citizen it is my right and, I feel, my responsibility to vote. If you are reading this and you didn't vote, Shame On You! I hope when the time comes in November, you make it right. I don't feel with the way we can obtain information in today's society, that there is any excuse to not vote. I am not writing this to endorse a particular candidate, that's not what this is about. How can one complain about the way things are going in the economy, the laws being passed, or the views on foreign policy? The truth is, if you don't vote, you can't complain. Well, of course you can complain, you just shouldn't. In other words, if you saw a problem and didn't do anything to fix it, you have messed up. We are fortunate to be Americans, and live in the greatest country in the world. We have a say!
Maybe someone who didn't vote, doesn't know what to look for in a candidate? This is simple to solve. I have told friends of mine that it is not a beauty pageant. The best looking one doesn't win a trip to run the country. You have to do your research. Candidates will use the mud slinging tactic, which has been going on since the beginning, to try to win your vote. An example of this would be a commercial with one of the candidate's faces on the T.V. and really scary music playing in the background with an X over his/her face. Then the voice over will make something he/she voted for or against sound really bad. My advice, don't listen so much to these commercials. Do your own research. Go on to each candidate's website. Watch the speeches and the debates. Read the paper. Figure out where each candidate stands on the important issues. Controversial Issues like Abortion, same sex marriage, stem cell research, immigration. Find out where each candidate stands with Economic Issues like the national debt, health care, gas prices, the increase of foreclosed homes. Find out what each candidate's Foreign Policy is. Do they feel there is a threat in the Middle East, Russia, or North Korea? Do they feel that there is a threat at all? Who should we be, and should not be, trading with? I personally even look into the family life of some of the candidates, their history. Work and personal. Are they divorced, how many times, and why? If that individual can't hold a marriage together, how am I to believe he/she can keep a country together? If the individual was unfaithful, that means he/she has lied in the past, not to some stranger, but lied to their spouse. If they can't be honest with the one they have pledged a life long commitment to, how am I to believe they won't lie to some strangers in a camera(us)?
Now that's just me. I know all that stuff is boring and it takes up time, but we are talking about the future of Our country. A country Great Individuals have fought for and died to preserve.
Well I hope this piece has helped some realize they need to vote. My purpose is not to start any arguments or tell anyone who to vote for, but to encourage everyone to get involved. Vote!
