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Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:00 |
| | Janese Johnson |
In this past month I have talked with hundreds of people about this upcoming election. It has been quite a surprise to hear so many complain about quite a few things that are going on not only locally but globally, and when asked if they are going to vote, many say they are not.
Their reasons range from not agreeing completely with the candidates to not feeling that their vote counts. I, too, may not agree with all the things that the candidates that I am voting for stand for, but I feel that it is so important for us to vote for change because it seems clear to me that our country seems to be losing the foundation of compassion and freedom on which this country was built.
It
seems that the voting rights that were fought for so long are now being
taken for granted and not seen as an important right as a citizen to
have by so many people. In a call to the Board of Elections, I found
out that Buncombe County has 160,000 registered voters. In the last
presidential election, 60 to 70 percent voted. In the recent May
primary election, only 10 percent voted. The Board of Elections is
expecting a 50 to 60 percent turnout for this coming election. If you
think about those numbers, it is pretty sad that only a little more
than half the registered voting population showed up. What has happened
to our dedication to our country and our dedication to those who fought
hard for these rights?
The freedoms
that have come about have been because a large group of people said
that they wanted to see change, and they were not willing to back down.
We can see this through different ways of expression that are not just
from legal voting. Protests can be seen as one form of voting. Gandhiës
passive resistance is another form of voting, as well as civil rights
and the American Revolution.
Many people are
speculating that the lack of enthusiasm for voting has to do with
comfort zone. There are so many that are living their life like
comfortable hobbits that as long as they get the luxury of food,
clothing, entertainment and ease, then there is no need to go out and
create change, after all, their life is pretty good. ... that is until
they become affected by the negative changes that have been taking
place.
If they have
children in the schools with "no child left behind" leaving lots of
children behind; or they have no health insurance; are a veteran or
currently in the military; care about the environment and using
alternative energy sources; think about Social Security and how that is
turning out; care about our relationship as a global family; have
someone needing mental health services; are a college student needing a
student loan; are a middle income person getting kicked by taxes; in a
same sex partnership; are poor; a minority; and all the other things
that I have left out, then you have probably been affected by our
current administration.
If you care
about or are affected by any of these then you probably are the 50
percent out trying to have your voice heard. But more importantly if
you are not, then it seems that you should feel a sense of duty to make
a difference and ease those who are affected by having your voice
heard, too.
Because we are
all unique individuals, we will never agree on all the issues, nor will
we agree with all the issues of the candidates, but if we do not do
what we can do to bring about more balance in the house and senate,
then basically have given a blank check to the executive branch. So
letës come together with the goal of caring for the whole of humanity
and vote for making a difference for the people of this nation and vote
on Nov. 7th or in the early voting that is available form Oct 19th
through Nov. 4th. If you do not know about the early voting, the Board
of Elections has more information for you.
No matter which way that you vote, your caring and trying to contribute makes a difference.
ï
Janese Johnson
has been doing intuitive counseling nationally for more than 20 years.
She may be contacted at janesej-at-buncombe.main.nc.us.
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