Archive for October 22nd, 2012
Voter
Today is the last day to register to vote. There was a period in my life when I abstained from voting because I believed my vote just did not matter. As I matured, as I observed people around the world willing to die for the right to become voters; active participants in their governing, my attitude changed.
Although I remain skeptical about the influence of my ballot in the major races, I staunchly believe I can and do affect the local political arena, especially in California where the ‘Referendum’ remains an active part of the political pasture.
My re-entry into the voting quagmire was ignited by a dear friend who was a naturalized citizen from a third-world country who held a PhD in History from Stanford. With his encouragement, we hosted ‘vote-debates’ in my home; inviting friends and family to an evening of pro and con discussions of the California ballot. A truly amazing and profound experience. To participate, one had to go beyond the 50-second commercial interest ads to the heart of the issues. These gatherings never became shouting matches, and at times persuaded me to alter my position.
I miss those meetings. My friend has long since passed over. Life marches on, and I find it more and more challenging and time consuming to pour over the ballot ‘legalese’ in an effort to be as responsible as I can to the honor and privilege of voting.
Perhaps it is time to bring back vote-debate night.