Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

I am a frustrated voter. I am frustrated with the system and I am frustrated with what we have become. Whatever happened to the time when we agreed, for the most part, on what was best for our country and our only disagreement was on how to accomplish it? Why is it that we have deteriorated to the point of yelling at our elected officials and candidates at town hall meetings? What has happened to our civility?

I am frustrated that there is a large group of people that feel it acceptable to doing nothing in response to proposed action. Why are we no longer exchanging good ideas and finding a middle ground in an effort to move our country forward? Why are we allowing our opinions to be shaped by television personalities, negative campaign ads, and polls?

I am a stressed-out voter. I am tired of my expenses rising while my income remains the same. It stresses me that there are so many of us who are still without jobs with no possibilities on the horizon. It angers me that there are still people who have to choose to pay the electricity bill OR buy necessary prescriptions.

Our country has always had a serious racial rift, and while things have gotten better in some respects, a lot has not changed. But even within the races, there was a time that we treated each other the way we would want to be treated. That has vanished. We seem to have no regard for the well being of others, whether they are the same race as us or not. It takes a catastrophic event to bring out the good in us, but that feeling of brotherhood lasts only as long as the event stays in the news.

I would argue that we are living in catastrophic times. Unemployment is ridiculously high. Healthcare costs are obscene. Food and gas prices are crazy. Energy costs are astronomical. The rate of foreclosures is on a constant rise. We have lost our ability to communicate with each other. It seems that our elected officials are more concerned with losing power than acting in the best interests of their constituents. If things continue in this vein, the future is not bright for any of us.

I am a frustrated and stressed-out voter, but that does not make me apathetic. We cannot sit idly by and stew in our anger and frustration. Voting is the best way to voice our collective frustration. No matter which candidate you believe can best represent your opinions, you have to support their efforts by casting your vote.

Early voting ends today, October 28th, at 8:00 p.m in Maryland, Illinois, and Tennessee. If you don’t take advantage of early voting, then please show up to vote on Tuesday, November 2nd at your designated polling place between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Every vote counts. Show up. Exercise your right. Make your opinion count.