Let me say first that I believe it is every person's
right and
responsibility to vote. That does mean, however, that you should make some effort to know the stand of the candidates on issues (which may or may not line up exactly with their party) and what your
educated opinion is on the same. It also requires prioritizing these issues based on
both their importance to you and any real potential for changing them if they need changed or keeping them status quo if that is your desire.
My Pet Peeve, therefore, is about stupid/silly/unbelievable reasons I've heard people say they are casting their vote in a particular way for various offices - starting at the top:
For or against because "he's black".
For or against because there is "a woman on the ticket".
He was born in ______________.
(FYI FACTS: Obama was born in Hawaii, McCain on a U.S. base in the Panama Canal Zone)
He/she's a republican.
He/she's a democrat.
He "looks" more presidential.
He wants to make changes.
(Um, that's why they are running for office.)He's made too many changes.
(And that would be why he ran for office.)
I don't like the way he or she looks/gestures/stands/talks/smiles/etc.
REALLY PEOPLE! This is an important election on both the national and state levels. Look into the candidates, their records, their personalities before the campaigning started, where they came from and where they want to take us. Do their current words and their previous actions match up? Are they sincerely looking to do things to help the American people and the American economy or looking to serve their own desire for personal power and/or wealth? Are they proactive about problems/issues or reactive?
So read, listen critically, and learn all you can about the candidates and the issues so you can make an informed decision. Then vote!
