Why vote?
On our trip to Colorado for Thanksgiving, the boarding announcements for each flight began with an invitation to active service people and veterans to board first, always followed with “thank you for your service.”
People join the military for many reasons. Some out of a sense of patriotism, others because that was the best-paying job they could find at the time. My dad went to OCS and served two years as an officer in the Naval Reserve to avoid the Korean War draft.
Many of the houses in my neighborhood have flagpoles in their front yards flying the American flag. Not the defaced versions like the black-and-white flag or the one with one of the white stripes colored blue, but the old fashioned flag we used to have to say the pledge to in elementary and secondary school. And of course, there are the tiny paper flags that proliferate around July 4th, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, both in the neighborhood and the local cemetery.
I never served in the military. But I’m a student of American history, and I respect the sacrifice many Americans made so that I can enjoy the freedoms of being an American. Among those freedoms that they suffered and died for was my right to vote.
I’ve seen people comment on the these threads and elsewhere on their contempt for both political parties and that they are considering not voting in the next election. Look, I’ve voted in every election since 1973. I can’t recall the last time I voted for a candidate who embodied metaphysical perfection. I’ve always had to choose between what I considered the lesser of two evils. But I continue to honor my forebears by exercising my right to vote. YMMV.
Trump declines to rule out abusing power or seeking retribution if he returns to the White House
Boston Globe – late last night
“Except for day one,” so that’s pretty good.
As Biden fund-raises in Boston, some young voters feel ‘meh’ about his reelection
Boston Globe – late last night
(If you will permit me.)
Norman Lear died yesterday, at the age of 101.
On My 100th Birthday, Reflections on Archie Bunker and Donald Trump
NY Times – Norman Lear – July 27, 2002
(I’ve been reading lately about the US Army Air Force in WW2 in Europe. Air crews were expected to fly a certain number of missions and could then return home. Initially 25, eventually 35 or more. About 1/3 of the crews returned. Norman Lear was a radio-operator and gunner on 52 bombing missions.)
Voting is a gift from our Founders: Norman Lear
USA Today – Nov 4, 2016
A few years ago I was walking from the parking garage of a large medical complex to a routine appointment.
An older man was going my way pushing a wheelchair. He was taking his wife home.
He was wearing a WW II AAF Veterans hat. I told him I was a AF veteran. We talked all the time to where our paths diverged.
He was a B-29 gunner, he had just finished training, when VJ Day stopped his deployment.
He said he was happy the war ended. A fine gentleman!
err… Make that ‘NY Times – Norman Lear – July 27, 2022’
TRIBUTE TO NORMAN LEAR
From the Congressional Record, placed there by VT Senator Patrick Leahy, recently retired, includes the full text of the NY Times op-ed above.
I have lately talked to someone who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. She was someone who had her eyes opened after Trump started his rule. I sometimes think that people who know they are not up on the issues should just let other decide – choose not to vote.
Of course, it does not take knowing anything other than letting Trump win would be bad for democracy to be up on enough issues to be prepared to vote. Such would also have one more informed than about half of the electorate.
Yes, always vote and vote the whole ballot. And if you have some money, give some to a candidate for office, national, state or local, someone you like.
Every year I find two or three candidates who are really excellent on my scale and I click them some money.
Why should the Adelsons, Mercers and Kochs have all the fun.