The impetus of the "why" for this quote came in yesterday's Facebook post from longtime friend of 34 years, Yvonne Laning Oyler. She caught my attention about voting in the Mid-Term elections on November 2nd, and she was "spot on." Her main point was to become aware of the issues and not the smear campaigns, the vocal rants on the news outlets (both liberal and conservative), or the perceived comments from our elected officials (and how they always seem to be taken out of context by the opoosition party).
Here's what I know (from watching Politics since the days of the 1964 Election between Johnson and Goldwater):
- Everyone has an opinion, and everyone is entitled to his/her opinion as long as the First Amendment is still in the Constitution. Our opinion doesn't make it factual in any sense of the word, and we all have different ways of communicating our opinions. However, we should NOT belittle those we disagree with; rather, we should respect each others opinions, regardless of how right or left from center they seem to be (or we seem to be).
- We have earned the privilege to vote, and WE SHOULD VOTE! Voting is not always a right in a State, as some States prohibit convicted felons from ever voting again. Most don't these days, but that is why it is considered a privilege and not a right, for in some states - you can lose that privilege based on your actions. The States that prohibit convicted felons from voting (from incarcerated all the way to permanently losing the privilege) are; Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. The other 40 States and the District of Columbia have other varying degrees of privileges. If you are able to Vote, then VOTE!
- Be aware of the issues. Don't count on the "Mainstream Media," the Cable News Channels (and yes, FOXNews pulls in the same audience size as CBSNews, but is still considered Cable News), the "so-called Political Pundits," or the talking voices on AM Radio (or Satellite Radio) to form your opinion. Most of the Newspapers in this Country lean Left, while a few lean Right (Wall Street Journal and Washington Times are two examples of more Conservative newsprint outlets). Politico and others are more centrist, and follow the news on both sides of the aisle. CSPAN, although very boring at times, provides an insight in the Chamber unlike any other. The most important preparation that anyone can do is follow the talking points and important issues of each candidate, and that info can be found on their websites. The same thing is true with the State Amendments, Municipal Amendments, etc. There's enough spin to go around by listening to the news. The days of "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" and "The CBS Evening News with Walter Conkrite" are long-gone. With the age of the 24-7 news cycle and the internet, you can find any musing or diatribe on any subject. It used to be that we believed in things that we saw on TV; did we really believe that the Car on "My Mother The Car" actually could talk? It was Ann Southern who provided the voice to Jerry Van Dyke's character on that short-lived series; same thing with Mr. Ed (voiced by Allen Lane: "Willlllberrrrr"). Now, those examples need to be applied to the internet. You can't rely on Blogs and Articles on the 'net being 100% truthful and/or factual. As an Educated and Trained Journalist, the principles I learned years ago no longer exists, and Edward R. Murrow and Ernie Pyle (both famed WW2 Journalists) are revolving in their graves.
- Vote your conscience, whatever you believe in. Even though you may not vote for the winning candidate or the winning issue, you have the satisifaction in knowing that you gave it your best shot to help that candidate or cause. If you don't vote, it's hard to complain convincingly, for you had no say in the matter, and should have no one to blame.
- Continue to support our Country, no matter the outcome. If the Democrats continue to control both Houses, so be it. Be a Patriot and support our Country. If the Republicans gain control of one or both, we must live with those results as well. So what can we do? Get involved. Write your Congressman or Senator and let him/her know where you stand. Know who to talk with in their local office that is near your home, and communicate. They have many advocates and specialists employed for every important issue. So many people were upset with the Health Care overhaul, but how many really communicated with their elected officials? That's a rhetorical question and one we will never know. Now more than ever is the time for us to make a statement on what we believe should happen, for this Country is made up of "We the People." But if "We the People" don't communicate to our elected officials in the correct manner (and I'm not talking the Town Hall format - for that alone has become a "shouting match" between ideologies), then we get what they believe we want.
This debate transcends ALL political parties. As a Journalist that covered the 1978 Mid-Term Elections for KXCV-FM News (100,000 watt NPR Station at NWMSU) and the 1980 Presidential Election for KWON-AM Radio in Bartlesville, OK (and Mediating the debate between John Zink of Tulsa and Don Nickles of Ponca City for U.S. Senator for the State of Oklahoma in 1980 - Nickles won), I've seen (and covered) the tricks and shenanigans first-hand.
It's not the "Econony, Stupid" or the "War, Stupid," it's "The People." We are Americans. To an extent, I really wish the Political Party system would be completely revamped, but I don't know that we have the patience and trust in our Leaders to do it right. BOTH major parties are flawed.
That's why THIS of ALL ELECTIONS is so important.
Please Vote on November 2, 2010, and May God Bless America!
Think about it . . .
Yogi: 10/20/2010 4:21PM CDT
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