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June 2009 
Our Responsibility: Be An Informed Voter!
Posted on Jun 8th, 2008
by 
~PrincessTwilite~
~PrincessTwilite~
After doing a term project with a senator whom I love (and I don't often say that), and having the opportunity to follow an entire senate session, I have come to a better understanding of how our political system works. In a nutshell: it stinks right now! So many bills are passed without us ever really knowing (unless that is, if u actually go and intentionally look them up and follow each session). So many I found were done from the dreaded underlying agenda if one looks closely, and under a guise of bettering a situation. Before we sign those petitions on the streets, before we mark "yes" on our ballots, we really need to be researching these bills and analyzing them for hidden potential consequences. Will they raise taxes or take money from a vital program like our local police dept. or from seniors and people with disabilities etc? Will they restrict our liberties even more? Will we have less power over our own property and what we can do with it? Will it give some group of politicians/committee/organization the ability to just make some decision for us? Will teachers still be able to teach from the heart? No child left behind was a farce. The schools and more importantly the children have suffered (as have the teachers). I personally know many kids who were STILL LEFT BEHIND! And now have no skills to go out into the world and make a life. I don't like the idea of having ALL of our phone calls being potentially monitored because of the governments scare tactics, and some terrorists they can't seem to track down. If terrorism is really such a threat, then why don't they secure our borders first before stripping away our freedom? Not that I have any problem w/people coming here, as I know many who have done it the right way. After-all, all of our families immigrated here at one time. But that's not my point, and the least of my concerns. When we turned the other cheek because we were so mad about 9/11, and all of our friends and family who died as a result, we gladly gave away our rights as people in the name of safety to the very folks in charge who couldn't even handle making proper decisions about what to do about it all, and hastily took us to war. What's up with that? Not that we had a vote on that one, but no one really made a fuss. Poeple on the streets when interviewed thought it was fine and no bother to them. But this nags at me. Something doesn't feel right here. (enter movie Zeitgeist, for those who need more info on this topic *not for the faint-hearted, and does have video footage of actual events: www.ZeitgeistMovie.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_E4N5...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JRQbUTIZeQ follow links on left for the whole story)
I just want to encourage folks to become informed voters, since that's something we CAN do something about. Know what you are REALLY voting for. Sometimes the incentive, although alluring, is just a ploy to get us to pass the darned thing. This is underhanded and manipulative, but it works. We need to start knowing how to recognize this. If they don't succeed the 1st time, they'll just wait and make a new bill with the same agenda but with a different guise and incentives. Can we really be bought that easily? They certainly think so. Lets at least make it tougher for them, by doing our part and simply being informed. This election, let's do it differently and see if we can get ourselves out of this wretched mess. Let's all take some time out of our busy lives and look these bill up. Ask yourself: Why was it created? What are ALL the potential future consequences (That's the hard part, we don't always know, but just let your concience and your connection with your higher power guide you and it will always show you where the end result could lead. Utilize your connection to source)? What are they pay-offs? Are you willing to make that sacrifice, and is it realistic that the bill would accomplish the proposed improvements? WHO WROTE IT? And what do they personally stand for (or their org or company etc.)? Will that group or person prosper as a result of this bill, at your expense? Does this bill involve taking away ANY of our rights as citizens, even if it may not be you? Sometimes we think this is a good thing, like with gun control, and maybe we don't mind the restrictions a bit for the safety of us all. Other times, ask yourself, is it even really a big enough issue to have our rights a citizens restricted for? Does the problem it address effect you directly? Does it effect anyone you know, even if it's something you don't give a hoot about, like little disabled Joey across the street, so his family can finally afford his medicine? (When was the last time we saw a bill of that nature?) How much will it cost? Can I endure this cost to see a better change in the community...even if it doesn't effect me directly? Oh, and how do the people getting the money use it? Do they budget wisely and use it to better things, or do they give themselves big fat raises while the school roof is still leaking and there's no a/c or adaptive equipment for the special needs kids? Look up how the group spent their money if you aren't sure. And don't just take their word for it. One thing I learned with my own comminity's BOD, was that they ALWAYS want you to think they are spending it wisely, so ask to see their books if you must.
Go down to your capitol and sit in on a senate session. Watch them bicker back and forth. It becomes apparent real quick who's just trying to cause trouble, and who really doesn't want to be there, and who is there for the right reason: US! Or who is using their power for their own agenda. If they have someone they don't particularly like, they just do everything they can to ruin someone's efforts to do the right thing. It's really very sad. Many of us could do better! Simply put: OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE VOTING ON BEHALF OF US!!! We need to know what issues will be brought up and when (and watch the session on TV. Follow it closely), then we need to call our elected officials and TELL THEM HOW U WANT'EM TO VOTE!!! They are supposed to be voting on our behalf. These are our tax dollars paying them, so we need to make them do their job and not just sit back and collect from our pockets and their private desires for their own company. My grams spends almost every waking moment writing to our local city/state officials, governors, senators etc telling them what she thinks of bills and important issues, and sometimes even. . .them. They often write back. She is amazing. She writes to the paper and gives her opinion. And sometimes, they print it too! If an official doesn't return your calls? THEN DON"T RE-ELECT!!! Make it known. GET THEM OUT OF THERE! If you have an issue you feel passionate about, go through the process yourself, and get your own bill on that ballot. We can't just continue to sit and wait for someone else to do our job as citizens for us. As "We the people", we have our rights. Let's uphold them at all costs. But we also have our responsibility. We need to be responsible for doing our part, even if that is only to really know what you are voting for. If you are still unsure after you've done all the checking? It's okay to vote "no" or leave it blank. Maybe it sounds fairly good, except for one little part that keeps nagging at you. That would be your concience telling you something isn't right, despite the possible pay-offs! Sleep on it. We do not have to pass a bill that is not up to standards! It is ok to vote "no" and make them try again. Let them know what you had the problem with, why you couldn't vote for it, and how it might be addressed next time. Hey I know you are busy. WE ARE ALL BUSY, but that excuse is not gonna make things any better in the long run. We can't keep using that one forever. Soon there may be nothing left to keep us busy!
Back when our political system was first established, people took great pride in being able to have their vote count. They took the time. When women gained the right to vote, they used it. They initially understood why it was so important for them to have a voice as well. Why even bother to vote if you don't know what you are voting on? It shouldn't be a five minute "check a few boxes and stick it back in the mail" like we do with our bills. Take some time to educate yourself. Discuss it with family, and chat/blog about it if you must. How will it effect the schools? The disabled population, inflation, taxes, medicare (You may not care now, but when you retire you will! Make sure it's still there for you) etc. Plus we now have the added luxury to vote from home, where we have more time and access to the www for info on both sides of the issues. And DO SEE BOTH SIDES. So in my opinion, THERE IS NO EXCUSE. If you don't want to use your voice to be the change you want to see, just make a little box at the bottom of your ballot that says next to it: "I don't really care enough to want a voice, so I'll just let you decide my fate for me...and the fate of my children, my community, my health-care, my property, my elderly parents, my social security, my. . .everything", and mark that box.
~the princess~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JRQbUTIZeQ follow links on left for the whole story)
I just want to encourage folks to become informed voters, since that's something we CAN do something about. Know what you are REALLY voting for. Sometimes the incentive, although alluring, is just a ploy to get us to pass the darned thing. This is underhanded and manipulative, but it works. We need to start knowing how to recognize this. If they don't succeed the 1st time, they'll just wait and make a new bill with the same agenda but with a different guise and incentives. Can we really be bought that easily? They certainly think so. Lets at least make it tougher for them, by doing our part and simply being informed. This election, let's do it differently and see if we can get ourselves out of this wretched mess. Let's all take some time out of our busy lives and look these bill up. Ask yourself: Why was it created? What are ALL the potential future consequences (That's the hard part, we don't always know, but just let your concience and your connection with your higher power guide you and it will always show you where the end result could lead. Utilize your connection to source)? What are they pay-offs? Are you willing to make that sacrifice, and is it realistic that the bill would accomplish the proposed improvements? WHO WROTE IT? And what do they personally stand for (or their org or company etc.)? Will that group or person prosper as a result of this bill, at your expense? Does this bill involve taking away ANY of our rights as citizens, even if it may not be you? Sometimes we think this is a good thing, like with gun control, and maybe we don't mind the restrictions a bit for the safety of us all. Other times, ask yourself, is it even really a big enough issue to have our rights a citizens restricted for? Does the problem it address effect you directly? Does it effect anyone you know, even if it's something you don't give a hoot about, like little disabled Joey across the street, so his family can finally afford his medicine? (When was the last time we saw a bill of that nature?) How much will it cost? Can I endure this cost to see a better change in the community...even if it doesn't effect me directly? Oh, and how do the people getting the money use it? Do they budget wisely and use it to better things, or do they give themselves big fat raises while the school roof is still leaking and there's no a/c or adaptive equipment for the special needs kids? Look up how the group spent their money if you aren't sure. And don't just take their word for it. One thing I learned with my own comminity's BOD, was that they ALWAYS want you to think they are spending it wisely, so ask to see their books if you must.
Go down to your capitol and sit in on a senate session. Watch them bicker back and forth. It becomes apparent real quick who's just trying to cause trouble, and who really doesn't want to be there, and who is there for the right reason: US! Or who is using their power for their own agenda. If they have someone they don't particularly like, they just do everything they can to ruin someone's efforts to do the right thing. It's really very sad. Many of us could do better! Simply put: OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE VOTING ON BEHALF OF US!!! We need to know what issues will be brought up and when (and watch the session on TV. Follow it closely), then we need to call our elected officials and TELL THEM HOW U WANT'EM TO VOTE!!! They are supposed to be voting on our behalf. These are our tax dollars paying them, so we need to make them do their job and not just sit back and collect from our pockets and their private desires for their own company. My grams spends almost every waking moment writing to our local city/state officials, governors, senators etc telling them what she thinks of bills and important issues, and sometimes even. . .them. They often write back. She is amazing. She writes to the paper and gives her opinion. And sometimes, they print it too! If an official doesn't return your calls? THEN DON"T RE-ELECT!!! Make it known. GET THEM OUT OF THERE! If you have an issue you feel passionate about, go through the process yourself, and get your own bill on that ballot. We can't just continue to sit and wait for someone else to do our job as citizens for us. As "We the people", we have our rights. Let's uphold them at all costs. But we also have our responsibility. We need to be responsible for doing our part, even if that is only to really know what you are voting for. If you are still unsure after you've done all the checking? It's okay to vote "no" or leave it blank. Maybe it sounds fairly good, except for one little part that keeps nagging at you. That would be your concience telling you something isn't right, despite the possible pay-offs! Sleep on it. We do not have to pass a bill that is not up to standards! It is ok to vote "no" and make them try again. Let them know what you had the problem with, why you couldn't vote for it, and how it might be addressed next time. Hey I know you are busy. WE ARE ALL BUSY, but that excuse is not gonna make things any better in the long run. We can't keep using that one forever. Soon there may be nothing left to keep us busy!
Back when our political system was first established, people took great pride in being able to have their vote count. They took the time. When women gained the right to vote, they used it. They initially understood why it was so important for them to have a voice as well. Why even bother to vote if you don't know what you are voting on? It shouldn't be a five minute "check a few boxes and stick it back in the mail" like we do with our bills. Take some time to educate yourself. Discuss it with family, and chat/blog about it if you must. How will it effect the schools? The disabled population, inflation, taxes, medicare (You may not care now, but when you retire you will! Make sure it's still there for you) etc. Plus we now have the added luxury to vote from home, where we have more time and access to the www for info on both sides of the issues. And DO SEE BOTH SIDES. So in my opinion, THERE IS NO EXCUSE. If you don't want to use your voice to be the change you want to see, just make a little box at the bottom of your ballot that says next to it: "I don't really care enough to want a voice, so I'll just let you decide my fate for me...and the fate of my children, my community, my health-care, my property, my elderly parents, my social security, my. . .everything", and mark that box.
~the princess~
Access: Public
