Ballots Over Everything Else

If you’re tired of reading articles and letters about our election choices and the consequences of those choices, you might want to skip past what follows today. Not that I’m taking sides because I’m not; at least not in a public forum. That’s why we have secret ballots. Anyway, here goes.

This time next week thanks to an election process too many of us take for granted far more than we ever should, the dawning day will mark the morning after of yet another election. Whether the results are good or bad will depend on your perspective as the beholder as well the prism through which you view the results.

Like you, I suspect, I have some strong personal opinions about the choices for voices we have this election cycle but I think I’ve kept them mostly to myself. I'm grateful, despite appearances otherwise, to everyone who has offered to serve no matter the office; quite frankly more grateful for some, perhaps than for others, but it takes all kinds to make a world.

After we have assured one another that we have registered to vote, have the documentation we need to bring 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 our best judgment. More than that can no one ask, but less than that should no one expect.

Opinions according to the old saw, are like noses; everybody has one and they all smell.

Regardless of any of the decisions we make Tuesday in matters of leadership at the Governor’s mansion through the seats in the legislature, it's highly unlikely either the dawning of the Age of Aquarius or the end of the world will follow as an outcome; though it may feel like it, for some.

Our decisions and actions, and the consequences of both will make or break us. How well we, as supporters and proponents of candidates have explained them to one another, the people with the power at the voting booth, will be a critical factor.

The lesson we should learn from last week's murder of two people of color in Kentucky, the  bombing threats, and the slaughter of Jewish worshippers in Pittsburgh is that open, honest communications can build bridges between the different segments of our communities just as deceitful, duplicitous efforts create distrust both of those elected to govern and of one another.   

Our informed votes are critical to the success of who we are as a state. Just as there are no insignificant votes there are unimportant offices in elected government. That's why you can't have enough information before you cast your vote-but please don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by your responsibility. Don’t choose to NOT choose.

When the polls close 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 our voice. so be as loud as you can.

-bill kenny