Election Time is Near Again

I'll admit it, I love my DVR! I love it because it lets me skip over commercials and get back to important stuff like Army Wives and Big Bang Theory (don't judge). I love it even more come election time. I realized this earlier this evening as I watched "regular TV" while waiting for dinner to finish cooking. I was assaulted by three political ads in one 2 minute commercial break. One was advocating for a state proposal, the next against another proposal, and lastly a congress member vying for re-election.

Now, I love politics and have some pretty strong feelings about the subject, but I keep that information private, just like I keep my vote.

I don't want to try to sway you for or against any candidate or proposal, lord knows there is enough of that going around. However, in this season of über propaganda I want to challenge you to do some leg work, research of you will.

I challenge you to first, make sure you are registered to vote and know where your polling location is.

Second, I dare you to check out your local ballot, most are available online See who is running for what office and what proposals or millages are there.

Third, google the candidates, see where they stand on issues important to you. If the are the incumbent, check out their voting record, do they vote for the issues you care about? Or do they vote for their own personal agenda? What about their attendance; are they even there to cast their vote? These people are representing YOU! You need to know where they stand.

Next, I challenge you to research those ballot proposals and millages. I know, they are full of legal mumbo-jumbo, but look for plain, layman's terms extracts. Ballot proposals can be small changes, like a local watering ordinance, or can be huge game changers, like an amendment to the state constitution. And those millages, what is it going to fund, or who. You don't know if you don't read.

My final challenge is to go out on November 6th, stand in line at the poll (with your photo ID), and cast your ballot knowing that you are making an informed decision about the future of your community, your state, your nation.

Good night and God bless!
MLO