Make a difference, vote

I normally avoid politics, other than to encourage people to vote.

Voting is one way to make our views known. Your opinion matters and in a small town, one vote truly can make a difference.

I would prefer to vote for someone rather than to vote against  someone. Our system doesn’t seem to give me that option.

Few of the political ads tell me why I should vote for a particular person. They only tell me why the other person is a scoundrel and not fit for office. 

Many of the handouts we have received feature information that I consider to be irrelevant.

You have children? So what does that have to do with anything? Your children are not going to research the issues before you, nor will their opinions affect your decisions. Yet, so many political ads list every child the candidate has produced.

Spouses also belong in this category. Again, as much as you value your spouse’s views, they are not the ones making the decisions.

You belong to a particular church? Again, so what? Church might provide a basis for your faith and as such can provide the moral ground for your opinions and actions. It has been my experience that each and every church believes that it is the only pathway to heaven and that all the others don’t. Your religious affiliation does not factor into my choice to vote for candidate A or candidate B. 

Then there is the political affiliation to be dealt with. A lifelong Republican may not even consider voting for a Democrat, and a lifelong Democrat might never vote for a Republican. Choices outside the two main ones are seen as not being viable. Getting elected as a member of any party that is not Republican or Democrat is highly improbable. 

Me, I vote for the person rather than the party. In a small town, such as ours, we know most of the people on the ballot. We know if they have a history of competence, of truthfulness, and of trying to make our community better. 

Speaking of making the community better, it is my opinion that the last thing this community needs is yet another study on how to prevent future flooding. I think we have had enough studies. Either try some of the solutions that have been suggested or admit defeat and accept what let Mother Nature deals out.  

That also goes for studies on how to improve downtown. I don’t see the point of doing multiple studies then not implementing any of the suggestions. Yes, we need places to shop other than Walmart. A grocery store, a good restaurant, and assorted small shops would be welcome. I realize that the amount of risk involved for entrepreneurs is prohibitive and until it isn’t, we will still shop at Walmart or go out of town to buy what Walmart doesn’t carry.  

Improving the facades, planting trees in spaces that are too small to sustain them and changing the traffic patterns are all interesting options. I don’t have any answers. It seems to me that neither does anyone else. 

It only takes a few minutes to fill out a ballot. Until we completely revamp our electoral process, taking the time to vote is the only way we have a voice in our government. After they take office we can meet with them and try to persuade them to see things our way but it is usually more beneficial to elect someone who shares your view in the first place.

If you want to see positive changes in our city, then take the time to cast your vote on issues that are important to you.