Like I Was Saying...
I was reminded today of something I heard a long while ago while listening on conservative talk radio.
“Freedom is people often people doing something you don’t like.” -Mark Davis
I remember hearing it and it gave me a moment of pause.
It use to be I’d get all riled up about things some people did and said. Hearing this quote gave me permission to accept the idea that people were different and I should just learn to accept it.
I voted in the mid-terms today. I stopped by a local supermarket, stood in line, got my ballot, made my choices, cast my ballot, and moved on with my day.
While standing in line, I couldn’t help but wonder how the other people in line would vote.
It’s kinda of like that game where you look at people and try to make up their life story. Most times when I play that game while people watching, everyone is a highly skilled Jason Borne like hitman. Hey, I like the Borne movies.
Thing is, since I’ve embraced that quote, I’m just happy people in line are voting.
One of the most moving images I’ve seen in my lifetime was when the People of the Liberated Iraq cast ballots in their first American backed election. I remember seeing Iraqis wave their ink stained purple thumbs at the camera, happy as clams since they voted.
Since the age of eighteen, I’ve almost never had a problem voting. There was one primary my provisional ballot got rejected because I hadn’t updated my living address, but other than that, it’s been smooth sailing for me.
I missed the vast majority of the battles (both literal and legal) for me to have the right to vote.
I’ve grown up in a relatively peaceful time where voting hasn’t been a problem for me.
That’s why I was so moved by the Iraqi people voting. I saw what it took for the people of Iraq to vote. Not that I was there, but I kept up with our War in Iraq. My brother served overseas during the War with Iraq in Kuwait and helped rebuild that country shortly thereafter.
I’m very grateful for the men and women who serve and died so I can have the right to vote.
There are other unnamed souls who’ve marched against the forces that didn’t want “other” people to vote. In fact, there’s factions still at work that try other means to nullify my vote. It’s a fight I’m very aware of and try to point out everyday.
My right to vote or that my vote is counted with equal weight isn’t assured.
Now, I used to believe that I didn’t care who you voted for, so long as you vote.
That’s one belief that’s changed over the last couple of years with the COVID lockdown and the decisions of the current administration these last two years.
Who you vote for matters more than not. I respect the choice, but not like the choice that’s made.
So if you do vote, make sure you’re voting for something instead of against something. And be prepared to own your vote, good or bad.
I think defending your vote is important as well.