Politics and Your Mom

What do politics and your mom have in common?


None. I just wanted you to think I was about to make a brilliantly offensive joke. But alas, I have no punchline or a desire to make one up.

Today is voting day and just about everyone and their mom has asked me who I'm going to vote for. In truth, I don't vote. Nor am I registered. I've never felt compelled to vote. Now don't take me for some sort of unpatriotic hipster. In truth, I actually care about politics. I read the news every day, I subscribe to several news magazines that I read every week, all of which have different political views. I feel that I get a pretty well-rounded view from all sides of the arena. I think it's important to keep informed on world, national and local events. It's important to know what our leaders and other leaders are doing and/or not doing. I think it's important to pay attention because in some way it affects us directly and indirectly. Overall, I feel like that I'm pretty well informed.

Despite my interest in this type of news, I can never bring myself to vote. I don't take for granted the struggle of my fellow countrymen in the past. I'm grateful that I live in a country where I am able to vote and have that voice should I choose to use it. Conversely, I'm just as grateful that I live in a country that I don't have to vote either. That ultimately, my decision to vote or not vote, is my choice and free of penalty. It is my right to have that freedom. Whether you disagree with that or not is not the issue. We live in a nation that was built on this type of freedom of choice. While I certainly have my own political views, I don't feel compelled to share them or be that involved with them. I also certainly do not discourage voting either. I believe that it is essential and empowering. I believe people should vote. In no way, do I discourage involvement in exercising the right to vote and to be involved in your political beliefs. I just choose to not participate.

Maybe one day, I will vote. Maybe one day, I will feel compelled.

But today is not that day.


In any case, go out and vote! Or not vote! It's your choice!

Or encourage your mom to vote. That's cool too.