{"id":987,"date":"2012-11-02T01:22:57","date_gmt":"2012-11-02T01:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dsavannah.com\/blog\/?p=987"},"modified":"2012-11-02T01:22:57","modified_gmt":"2012-11-02T01:22:57","slug":"i-voted-today2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dsavannah.com\/blog\/index.php\/i-voted-today2012\/","title":{"rendered":"I voted today…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"II generally do not<\/strong> <\/strong>talk about politics. I hate the ads, I hate the mudslinging, I hate the way the actual issues are obscured. I also can’t stand the way people can’t seem to have an honest debate about the issues. I can’t stand the intolerance, the “if you don’t agree with me, you’re an idiot” mentality.<\/p>\n

But, I do have a few (general) opinions on the subject, so here they are:<\/p>\n

My foremothers didn’t fight for the right to vote for me to sit on my duff and not exercise that right.<\/span><\/strong> So, even though in some ways, voting seems like a pointless gesture because it seems like the guy with the most money wins, I did it anyway.<\/p>\n

Prepare.<\/span><\/strong> A few weeks ago, I went to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s site voter view<\/a> to find my ballot (yup, the one I’m holding in this pic). (FYI, smartvoter.org<\/a> is a good resource as well.) That way I could review the candidates on the ballot, as well as the issues specific to my county. I did a little research on the candidates and issues, circled the ones I planned to vote for… then carried those papers with me to the polls. Saved me tons of time, and kept the line of other early voters from getting too long.<\/p>\n

Educate yourself.<\/span><\/strong> This of course is in line with “prepare”… but I urge everyone to learn as much as you can about the candidates and issues on your ballot. Don’t just rely on Facebook, or the candidate’s website, or MSN or CBS or Fox. Visit them all, and draw your own conclusions. Don’t just vote a straight party ticket, because that’s what you’ve always done. Know what each candidate stands for and represents. If they’re in congress, look at their past voting record. Know ~ to the best of your ability ~ who you’re actually voting for.<\/p>\n

The two-party system has got to go.<\/span> <\/strong>Did you know there are actually FIVE<\/strong> candidates for president, not just two? Well, if you watch the news or debates, all you hear about are the Republican and Democratic candidates. Why aren’t the other candidates invited to the debates? Is it a money thing? Do they have to PAY to be included in the debates? If so, that is hardly the best way for the American public to make an informed decision. The {supposedly unbiased} editorial side needs to cover ALL of the candidates, not just the ones placing ads. Those other three candidates ~ Peta Lindsay<\/a>, Gary Johnson<\/a>, and Jill Stein<\/a> ~ might actually have some good ideas on “fixing” our country, but we’ll never know!<\/p>\n

Ban political ads.<\/span> <\/strong>Let’s face it – the guy with the most money gets the most attention and the most votes. It’s more like a popularity contest than anything. Plus, can you imagine how much good would be done if that money got spent on education or homelessness or other problems in our society? Not to mention, they’re annoying as heck. You know it’s bad when your Facebook friends around the world are asking when your election will be over ~ because they’re just as sick of it as you are.<\/p>\n

And finally, change starts at home.<\/span> <\/strong>(Yes, I know that’s a clich\u00e9.) If you think we’re too dependent on foreign oil, make fewer trips. If you think the education system needs help, volunteer. And if you don’t like where this country is going, then vote<\/strong>. You have three more days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I generally do not talk about politics. I hate the ads, I hate the mudslinging, I hate the way the actual issues are obscured. 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