A few words now on something everyone should take seriously where it applies.....
VOTING!
And for clarification, voting as in politics. (sorry for the foul word!)
While I could harp on my own political views I'll try and leave them aside as much as possible, for what concerns me more is the apathy and downright negative thoughts most folks have towards this incredible responsibility.
You see, part of being a good citizen regardless of the country/state/locality your from is using the right fought for by your peers and ancestors (related or not!). That fight could have been physical or simply in the legal arena, but it was fought for nonetheless and by folks who knew that those responsible for determining how a country/nation/state/locality will run should and must be answerable to it's people. After all, it is for those people that the representatives work towards improving things for them as that is why they were elected into the position to begin with.
Just as important, however, is how you go about determining your vote. Too many times I see and hear folks voting for someone simply due to the political party they are affiliated with, or of folks going in and simply marking a name because it's the one they heard the most.
ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!
Folks, when it comes right down to it simply casting a vote for no better reason than above is like playing roulette with a 6 shot revolver and three rounds in the thing. 50/50 chance you'll help make things better but most likely your going to make things worse since lots of others do the same thing.
Having the right to cast a vote is not the only part of doing so. People should also be checking into who they are voting for. Don't just take the media and flyers and ad campaigns words (we all know they NEVER give the whole truth!). Do some research, check their records of service for the true way they lean on the issues.
And speaking of the issues, don't let the mud-slinging and half truth/lies sway your vote. So what if a candidate smoked pot in college or dated more than one person and such. What REALLY matters is where do they stand on the ISSUES and what plans do they have for fixing problem areas. Are they capable of standing their ground yet being flexible enough to work with opposing folks when it counts? Do they have some common sense? Are they just another "Yes" man/woman for the majority/minority?
I know....it takes some effort on a persons part to check things. Most are too lazy to do so. But ask yourself this....People in the past worked hard for me to have the right to vote. They sacrificed much, some may have even shed blood and/or died for me to have this right. If I feel passionate or strongly about something and will fight for it, don't I owe them the same respect for their efforts I want for mine?
Lastly, I'll leave off with this thought.....
Be a part of the solution, not the problem.
If you don't vote and do so as an informed citizen, you have absolutely no right to complain.
VOTING!
And for clarification, voting as in politics. (sorry for the foul word!)
While I could harp on my own political views I'll try and leave them aside as much as possible, for what concerns me more is the apathy and downright negative thoughts most folks have towards this incredible responsibility.
You see, part of being a good citizen regardless of the country/state/locality your from is using the right fought for by your peers and ancestors (related or not!). That fight could have been physical or simply in the legal arena, but it was fought for nonetheless and by folks who knew that those responsible for determining how a country/nation/state/locality will run should and must be answerable to it's people. After all, it is for those people that the representatives work towards improving things for them as that is why they were elected into the position to begin with.
Just as important, however, is how you go about determining your vote. Too many times I see and hear folks voting for someone simply due to the political party they are affiliated with, or of folks going in and simply marking a name because it's the one they heard the most.
ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!
Folks, when it comes right down to it simply casting a vote for no better reason than above is like playing roulette with a 6 shot revolver and three rounds in the thing. 50/50 chance you'll help make things better but most likely your going to make things worse since lots of others do the same thing.
Having the right to cast a vote is not the only part of doing so. People should also be checking into who they are voting for. Don't just take the media and flyers and ad campaigns words (we all know they NEVER give the whole truth!). Do some research, check their records of service for the true way they lean on the issues.
And speaking of the issues, don't let the mud-slinging and half truth/lies sway your vote. So what if a candidate smoked pot in college or dated more than one person and such. What REALLY matters is where do they stand on the ISSUES and what plans do they have for fixing problem areas. Are they capable of standing their ground yet being flexible enough to work with opposing folks when it counts? Do they have some common sense? Are they just another "Yes" man/woman for the majority/minority?
I know....it takes some effort on a persons part to check things. Most are too lazy to do so. But ask yourself this....People in the past worked hard for me to have the right to vote. They sacrificed much, some may have even shed blood and/or died for me to have this right. If I feel passionate or strongly about something and will fight for it, don't I owe them the same respect for their efforts I want for mine?
Lastly, I'll leave off with this thought.....
Be a part of the solution, not the problem.
If you don't vote and do so as an informed citizen, you have absolutely no right to complain.