Finding the Balance

This time next week thanks to an election process too many of us take for granted while the rest of the world envies our nonchalance, our lives as we know them may be changed. Whether the election results bring good or bad news not only depends on your perspective as the beholder but also on the prism you employ to view the results.
I promised some time ago to not offer opinions on any of those seeking our votes and I will not renege on that promise though in a couple of races, I'm feeling pretty provoked. I'm grateful, despite appearances otherwise, to everyone who has offered to serve no matter the office; quite frankly more grateful for some rather than others, but it takes all kinds to make a world.

After we have assured one another that we have registered to vote, know what documentation to bring with us to the polling place and know where we need to go to cast our ballots, we should make sure we are informed on the issues and the candidates' positions and then vote based on your best judgment.
More than that can no one ask, and less than that should no one expect.

Opinion, goes the old saw, are like noses; everybody has one and they all smell. No matter what decisions we make next Tuesday in matters of leadership at the highest through more humble strata of our government, it's highly unlikely that either the dawning of the Age of Aquarius or the end of the world will follow as an outcome.

Our decisions and subsequent actions and the consequences of both will make us or break us. How well supporters and proponents of candidates and/or bonding questions have explained themselves to us, the people with the power at the voting booth, should be a critical factor.

Open and honest communications can help build bridges between the different segments of our communities just as deceitful and duplicitous efforts inevitably erect walls and create distrust both of those elected to govern and of one another who chose them.    

Your informed vote is critical to the success of who we are as a city, state and nation. Just as there are no insignificant votes there are unimportant offices in elected government. And here in Norwich, as in thousands of cities and towns across the country there are ballot initiatives for bonding requiring a decision that we'll make but perhaps only in the lives of our children, or theirs, will we learn if the investment was worth the risk.

That's why you can't have enough information before you cast your vote-though please don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by your responsibility. Don’t choose to NOT choose. When the polls close next Tuesday evening, whether you see yourself as a victor or a victim is entirely up to you. The decision to be better or bitter is yours alone. Your vote is your voice so be as loud as you can.
-bill kenny