voting-pin

Wow…what a couple of weeks it’s been. Politics.

 

Let’s be honest, it’s been a crazy year.

 

Whatever way you lean politically one thing I hope you do is vote. Participate.

 

My husband and I, and sometimes our kids, watched the majority of the prime time coverage of both conventions.  No matter what you think about either candidate, you have to appreciate the history of a convention.  For almost 200 years our country has gone through this process. Politics are fascinating.

 

My take away from either convention, the thing that I was thinking about last night, was the gold star mom who introduced Obama to the convention on Wednesday night. She was so inspired by meeting the president that she decided it was time to contribute to her community. She was 73 and she ran for school board in her town in Ohio. This retired nurse, mom, grandma, great grandma, decided that she needed to participate in her community. She won the seat and serves today on the school board. She is the one that is making America great. By making a contribution, by stepping up, by volunteering. I loved it.

 

I love hearing stories about regular people stepping up. Volunteering. Something as small as coaching your kids in ball, volunteering at the concession stand, making a quilt for a church donation, being an election judge. All of these things are contributing to your community.

 

Now how about your vote?

 

Sure the President is important, but the people who really effect change and make the laws and rules that you live by in your community are important too.

 

Congressmen and senators are up for election. You know the ones we hear about causing “gridlock” in Washington. Yep, those are important. Google them.

 

State Representatives are also up for election. Who is your representative? Google it.

 

Supreme Court judges, Appeals judges, Circuit Court judges. You may have a chance to vote for all of these in your state and county. Figure out who they are. What they stand for. It might take a bit of google searching. These candidates aren’t spoon fed to us on CNN or Fox News. These are important votes. They craft our justice system.

 

A women running for District Attorney in my county did some door knocking a few days ago. I met her and thanked her for introducing herself. I like when politicians knock on doors. I’m not bugged or bothered. I am awed that people want to put themselves out there. That they want to open themselves up for criticism and all that comes with public office.

 

I’m not sure I’ll vote for her. I haven’t Googled her yet:)