Voting is a must-do privilege

This is an unprecedented year for most of us. We are fighting a pandemic, and to make things even more challenging, we have a presidential election looming on the horizon. Presidential elections are challenging enough during normal years, but add to that the complications caused by a deadly virus (that no one fully understands how to handle), and then witness the widespread protesting and violence that is ensuing, due to racial tensions in our country. Wow.

Also, the two major parties in our democratic system are much different from the parties of yesteryear. Both parties could be defined as “radical,” one for conservative issues and one for liberal issues. “Middle of the road” seems like an oxymoron. Also, I am not sure either party fully understands their own platforms, and the two candidates for the highest job in the land are farther apart than day and night. What to do? Some folks have even told me they will just “not vote,” since they didn’t like either candidate or what they seem to stand for.

I am going to refute that attitude as forcefully as I can. Voting is a privilege that many people in countries around the globe don’t enjoy. I remember when we protected men and women in Afghanistan and they voted for the first time in their lives, braving the Taliban’s threat of death, should they exercise this incredible privilege. This year, you may not like either candidate, and you may be disgusted at the platform and promises you have heard ad nauseam from the various news agencies. Still, I urge you to vote.

I am not going to push one side or the other. That is something you need to do on your own. I recommend you make a list of two things: first, the traits of the candidates, and second, the details of the platforms (promises, achievements and plans) for the two sides. Remember that your choice may mean the difference in a close election, and also remember that the winner of the contest may affect your life (and your children or grandchildren) greatly for at least four years — even longer, depending on the choice for a running mate (the vice president).

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