Voting, Lyndon Johnson said, is the “first duty of democracy.”
I’d go one step beyond LBJ and say that voting is the first duty to one’s self, and an absolute imperative in duty toward family and community.
And for those among you who, perhaps as discontented as I with the current state of intellect and integrity among so many of the candidates, are thinking of not voting – all I ask is that you think again.
Think of what you are saying about our country when you consider your vote meaningless. Think of what it says about you personally when you say “One vote won’t make a difference,” “They’re all a bunch of bozos,” or “The system is so corrupt, what’s the use?”
The only meaningless vote is the one not cast.
Think about the people who have worked, fought and even died so that you would have the right to cast a ballot. Think about how you dishonor their sacrifices if you take a pass on going to the voting station simply because you’re too busy, running late, it’s raining, or you’re kids are screaming for dinner.
We should all be outraged, really, by those among us who can vote and choose not to.
Voting is not just a right, it’s a gift. No other gift gives so much — little things, you know, like freedom, choice, democracy, opinion, influence, power, action.
Hope.
How ungrateful to let such a gift of mastery over our own lives and those who govern us fall by the wayside because we can’t be bothered.
As voters, let’s demand more of ourselves. Let’s stand up and be counted, and in doing so, let us count for something.
Let our voices, our votes, speak not just for ourselves, but for those who cannot speak. Let us show others who we are and what we believe.
Employers: let your employees come in late, take long lunches or leave early so they can vote. If you want proof that they voted in order to grant the time off, many elections offices says that poll workers can provide a photocopy of a voting form as proof.
Voters: organize a carpool; offer a ride to neighbor who doesn’t drive; throw an “I went to the polls and all I got was a democracy” party. Remember, too, that you can vote early, but you can’t vote late.
Let this be the year that voter turnout in Florida breaks all records.
Let this be the year that Florida’s vox populi speaks – and is heard.