Voting

We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands: we have a check upon two branches of the legislature, as each branch has upon the other two; the power I mean of electing at stated periods, one branch, which branch has the power of electing another. It becomes necessary to every subject then, to be in some degree a statesman: and to examine and judge for himself of the tendencies of political principles and measures. 

-John Adams

Often in politics it is much easier to complain than to step up and make a difference. Rarely can a day go by where some complaint isn't heard about what is going on in our great nation. However, before we complain we really need to stop and ask ourselves a couple of questions: Am I contributing to a solution or am I just complaining? Do I really want a solution to these problems or do I just like to complain?

If you find yourself on the solution end of things, awesome! Thank you for being a part of the process. I don't care what side of the process you are on but the fact that you are contributing is a big step forward from a lot of people. According to George Mason University statistics, just under 2/3 of eligible voters exercised that right to vote in the 2008 election. I don't have to remind you that this was a presidential election and attracted more voters (the most proportionally since 1908).  This, being a midterm election, won't attract as many voters.

For those that find yourself on the more complaining side of things, I get it. There is work. There are family commitments. You may feel uninformed. You may just not feel like your vote makes a difference. Whatever the reason you may feel you don't need or want to vote, I'd like you to think about the following quote: 

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. - George Jean Nathan

Every election cycle we hear that this is the most important election ever. This may seem like it is a bit of an overstatement to some but I would argue the contrary. The vote we make today is going to shape where our country heads tomorrow. The votes we make today are going to pick the people who are going to steer our ship of state. I don't know about you but I want a say in where we are headed. How about you? 

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it. - Alexander Woolcott