The Right to Vote

Let me start by saying this post will not tell you my political opinion or try to convince you to vote one way or another.  It is simply my thoughts about freedom and the right to vote.

This is the first election that I have actually paid attention to the issues and what the candidates had to say.  Before, I would just vote for whomever was in my chosen party or had the best commercials.  I will admit I was a careless and irresponsible voter in my past.  This year has been very different for me. I have found myself reading articles, blog posts, and watching every debate.  Granted I would get sick of the bickering and disrespect between both the presidential and vice presidential candidates and eventually turn it off and read a recap instead, but I did watch them and care!

As the election has gotten closer, I have seen posts like this

      

 and this

      

This

        

and this      

It has really bothered me how negative and horrible this election has become!  Awhile back, I read an article and posted this quote to Facebook:

"Whatever happened to 'I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.'"

This is exactly how I feel about this election.  When THIS article popped up, I began reading it and had to stop.  When did we become a nation of people thinking that because I don't agree with you or I don't find the same things as pressing or as important as you do, I must be prejudiced, wrong, or ignorant?  I understand that others find things more important than I do or believe in something different than I do, but I still feel as though I can love them and get along with them just the same.  Again, I'm not saying I agree or disagree with this article because that is not the point of this post.  I am simply saying I find this mindset discouraging!

So as you go out and vote today, please don't vote for the person your mom and dad are, or the person your neighbor wants, or the person the media has endorsed (and yes, there are media companies on both sides of this).  Vote for the person that will work on the issues YOU find most important and respect your fellow citizen's right to do the same.  We are meant to have different opinions, beliefs, and lifestyles.  I would hate to live in a society where we were forced to be the same and our leaders were chosen for us!  Celebrate and respect the diversity and our freedom to vote in the leader that we, as individuals, want.