There’s a lot of bad advice floating around for election day.<\/p>\n
Last night, my wife’s school called with an automated message. (We live outside her school district, so I jokingly told her that her school is encouraging her to commit voter fraud.) The message was about a major bond initiative for the school that was on the ballot – money needed for some school improvements and expansions. The message ended with “We are not encouraging you to vote for or against the measure, but please vote!”<\/p>\n
Now, I understand why they had that last part in – the school, as a public operation, shouldn’t be taking sides in political issues – but it makes me wonder what kind of message we’re sending about our elections.<\/p>\n
It’s the same message Michelle Obama gave recently<\/a>, just wrapped up differently. (Hat tip to my brother, who provided the link.) In her case, it was, “If you’re black, vote Democrat.”<\/p>\n The common message here? Don’t think, just vote. Vote the way I tell you to, because of your skin color or where you live.<\/p>\n That’s a scary proposition.<\/p>\n You might be too late today, but\u00a0educate yourself<\/em>. Study the candidates, study the ballot measures. Learn what those candidates believe, what they’ve done in the past. Examine the ballot measures for consequences; don’t buy into the anti or pro hype at face value.<\/p>\n Consider carefully before party-line voting, too. Remember why places like Chicago are considered so corrupt – single-party rule for a long time means politicians no longer are worried about working for the voters, as they know they have immunity. Speaking personally, North Dakota is a great place to be right now…but will it continue to be so if the local Republicans hang onto power unchallenged?<\/p>\n Division in government is a\u00a0good<\/em> thing. Unity in government means a group can do whatever they want.<\/p>\n So go on, vote. But know what you’re voting for.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There’s a lot of bad advice floating around for election day. Last night, my wife’s school called with an automated message. (We live outside her school district, so I jokingly told her that her school is encouraging her to commit … Continue reading