Posted by
Steve on Sunday, October 22, 2006 9:14:41 AM
Voting is important to the functioning of the American experiment. We need people to voice their opinion about issues and candidates to chart our future. But, we also expect that those opinions be opinions based on reason.
A vote that is cast without doing homework is a vote that is wasted. Was that really the best person for the job? If we vote just by reaction and not by reason, that is the question we have to ask ourselves. Too often in society people get elected by people voting in the election that are told who to vote for. That demeans the person who voted and the person voted for.
We hear stories of Democrats taking a bus into poor neighborhoods, picking up poor people and delivering them to the polls with the instruction to vote for a particular person. We are also told of people unable to figure out how to use the voting equipment at every election. Is it any wonder that we sometimes get people elected who should not be elected?
Every person who takes the time to register to vote should also take the time to learn about the issues and the candidates. Then compare their position on the issues with what the person believes. The vote should be cast to reflect the wishes of the voter. But, the wishes of the voter also have to consider what is best for their town, county, state and for the USA. All these issues have to come together to form the best candidate to vote for.
In recent years, the Republican party has had almost a lock on the best candidate. It is the rare Democrat that can be better than the Republican. Part of that is the poor stance on the issues that the Democrat party takes.