Oh Lord let the air waves be silent today and tonight! Let
there be peace on our little bit of earth. Please!
I am an election judge today in my old neighborhood. It will
be like old home week as many people I have known over the past 22 years do
their duty and cast their ballots. Because of this renewing of acquaintances
this duty is fun, interesting and absorbing. I’ve been assigned as a judge in
other polling locations in the past and the time moves as slow as ants moving a
one ton bison carcass. You cannot believe how slow the time drains by.
Besides seeing old friends the task of election judges is a
good one. We keep the machinery of the polling place working. Most of the time
it is smooth. Sometimes it is a little arduous. Most problems are understanding
people with foreign accents and poor English as a Second Language (ESL) skills.
Our area is one of growing diversity. That is good. Cultural life is growing
richer by the month! And the people are delightful. Still, communicating can be
a little difficult. Thankfully really tough cases bring family members with
them to translate.
Some polling places experience few voters. Ours is a site of
high voter turnout, usually 35% to 55%. The latter is the norm and that
outstrips national averages by a large number. We are proud of that record.
Still, why are most voters not registering their preferences for candidates? This
is part of the democratic process. Voting is not work to do unless you count
preparation beforehand. That should include researching candidates and their
positions on a host of issues you think matter the most. Then you choose who
you think would make the best public servant for the community.
That is not an easy task. It takes time to read and become
familiar with which candidates share their views articulately and persuasively
as well. How are we to know they will be a good public servant? We don’t,
actually. We have to use our judgment on that. Discernment is a skill needing
practice and application. All of us have been disappointed by candidates in the
past. Just look upon the Illinois
state legislature and the do-nothing reps and senators. It is a national shame
brought on our state. They still do not have a budget for the current fiscal
year and the deadline was last July. Say what?
Also, congressional personnel are not any better. They
calculate what is republican and what is democrat and then vote along party
lines. Give no party a victory. Give no man or woman a victory. Disregard what
is good for the nation and our fellow countrymen. Just do the bidding of the
party. What nonsense. You say you believe in an issue or two? Then live it and
vote it. Forget the party borders and exercise your mind and work for your
constituents.
Election Day is the day we voters exercise our power. We
select who will govern us. They don’t select us. We select them. If we don’t
like what they are doing – or not doing in the present circumstances – then we
need to vote accordingly.
One hopes each and every one of us has done the homework to
make good decisions. Republican or Democrat, each of us deserves one another’s
effort in voting with intelligence.
The results will be broadcast soon. Then we will see how
things progress from their to the conventions and finally the November Election
Day.
Onward!
March 15, 2015
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