Yes. To join the throng of everyone bragging that they’ve done what their constitutional right allows… I voted. Why? Votes Matter! But here’s my thought… I vote every day! What I believe, think, and speak does not change with the temperature of some modern viewpoint. Think about it like this, “Vote” is a noun and a verb at the same time. We mostly think of it as an action item, but you must also think about it in a role as a “person, place or thing”.
vote/vōt/noun “a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action,
expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands or by voice.”
The verb “give or register a vote.”
In Washington, we’ve voted by mail only for seemingly a decade or longer. No lines. No booths. Voter pamphlets and mailed ballots. Read and mark your slots early, or at the last moment. It doesn’t matter. Just vote!
Also, Washington is different than any other state on who makes it to the ballot. Who? The two top vote getters in the primaries, even if they are of the same party. That makes it easy to vote for no one, or tough to remember all the write-in candidates that represent your perfect choice for an office.
This year I waited until the day of voting just so I can make sure I know who I want in office… Right? Nope! I knew as soon as the names were announced. It just felt right to wait until the last day. In fact, I filled out my ballot while getting the oil changed in my bride’s car. Then, I drove to my normal ballot box, dropped it in the slot, and went to Starbucks for some writing time – waiting on the bank to open.
Why Take My Time?
This year has been a struggle of apathy on one front. Strong opinionated feelings on the other front. And, an “I don’t care what’s right I’m just voting against an opinionated personality” on the third front. Opinions do not matter. Yours, mine, or theirs. What’s right is all that matters. Right? Well. Who’s right? Good question. If I vote on personality, then it’s opinion. But if I choose my values and vote regardless of the personalities, then I’m hanging on my right of saying my voice matters.
It’s been weird, this year. The corporate news offices are showing their perspective and not promoting the news from a non-biased perspective! We are dealing with law-breakers, governmental missteps from the local to the national, anger, violence, hatred, isolation, fear… It’s also strange how the voices of one side creep into even the games you play. Last night, Angry Birds, and suddenly the ad you have to put up with so you can play for free…political… With the name and video of a local Washingtonian. I guess. I’m taking a screen print for my records, but if the ads are one-sided then I quit playing the game. Watch out Rovio. Your secret is out!
It seems the cancel culture is at work to simply shut you up! Stay home! Your viewpoint does not count. They’re right. You’re wrong. You’ve always been wrong. If you don’t agree then they’ll cancel you!
Everyone wants your money, so give it up and let some heavy taxes roll through your pocketbook taking your hard-earned money to pay for those who are incapable or lazy. Yes. That includes politicians. Stand up to them and they will work hard to cancel your right to a position.
Maybe it’s simply the weirdness of the year, but we are also fighting within the ranks. Struggling to have decent conversations is tiring. No one seems to understand conversation. They read into it and come out swinging because you are on the flip side of their choice.
When Something Comes Out Wrong
Sometimes we say something that comes out wrong. If it hasnt happened to you, wait… Its coming. When it happens you either try to make it right, internalize it and change your voice, or simply do nothing. For the time being, I guess I’ll just cancel my voice and keep my opinions and thoughts to myself. That’s hard to do because I enjoy conversations. On the flip side, I try to take what others say that sounds wrong and keep my attitude about me. I think.
Regardless, we’ve proved all the time how we misspeak, jumble our words like Scrabble tiles, and say something without considering the other person. One candidate uses simple words, and the other makes up new phrases no one understands!
Does it matter?
Sure. Even when we say something right, it’s how we sound that sets the tone. I keep learning this, and tempering my speech. Why? I can be blunt and right, and still be wrong.
This is true with voting. No matter how good a candidate make their argument sound, I know the truth of the party line. I cannot, in good conscious, let their side win. So, I get forced to vote down a different path just to keep them at bay. My voice (vote) gears around my view of life which is founded in Judeo-Christian values. When one side lands on one side of the argument that is against my stance, then I know I have to stand up against them, no matter what other good they may do.
Jesus
The ministry of Jesus started with him calling out certain ones to follow him and become a disciple. A follower, a student, someone who will carry the message on after the teacher has gone.
In the early days of his ministry, Jesus had some “hard sayings” that confused many. In fact, it went against the grain so much, some quit following him. They were disciples that became followers, but not the disciples that were chosen. Think about it. They made their own decisions to follow, and they make their own decisions to not follow. Regardless, they were not the ones who would build the new church.
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.”
John 6:66-71 (KJV)
Even with the chosen voices, he knew one of them would betray him. If we were to vote on this person, with foreknowledge, why keep him around? It’s simply part of the plan.
Think about it, in the way of our vote today. Someone is going to win, and it may not be who you chose. Can you live with it? Is there a larger plan that you cannot foresee? Sure… But it will hurt. Someone. Just Not Me.