I posted this on Facebook earlier today. I guess I was a bit miffed at a few things over the last couple days. So here is my opinionated post.
(Warning. Political rant ahead)
I try to avoid political posts. I do. However, tonight, I am asking you to be sure to get out and vote tomorrow, and I have some random thoughts to share.
I live from paycheck to paycheck. I work 40 hours a week. If I have to miss a day, I have to use PTO hours to fill the check. One big unexpected expense can throw us into a financial tailspin.
This is not just me. It is a majority of Americans! I do not need celebrities who have million dollar bank accounts telling me who I should vote for! This irks me so much. Shut up, you have no idea what is best for me or anyone else for that matter. You vote for who is best for you and let me decide for myself who is best for me, ok?
It makes me sick to think of the good that could be done and the people who could be helped by the billions of dollars used for campaigning. Instead, it is used to buy time for candidates spewing empty promises and trash talking each other. It is disgusting.
I have seen tons of posts today about how “Tomorrow” it will be all over. Speaking of the ads, texts and phone calls I am guessing. The truth is it isn’t over.
No matter what the outcome, one side will accuse the other side of something. There will be all kinds of legal mumbo jumbo being tossed around, people protesting outcomes, and probably violence. Throughout the “winner’s” term, the others will continue to make accusations of tampering, fraud, and God knows what else.
Lincoln said, “A house divided cannot stand.” That phrase is actually located in three of the four gospel accounts (Matt, Mark, Luke). It is a huge truth. Look at us, people! We are destroying ourselves from the inside. Division, hatred, violence….it’s insane. Other countries have got to be looking at us waiting for the country to implode.
I digress. Listen, my friend, you have every right to vote for who YOU want to. Do your research, know who your candidate is. Don’t be influenced by rich celebrities who are living in a home ten times the size of yours with no financial worry.
Vote for what is best for you. Vote for what’s best for your family. Vote because you enjoy the freedom to do so. Don’t be bullied into voting against your values or your beliefs. Vote because if you don’t – you have no right to complain about the outcome. You have a say – make it known. Vote!
And remember, who you vote for is no one’s business but yours! If you don’t vote for my candidate, that’s ok. You have volition. You have the right to make your own decisions. I don’t have to agree with you or vice versa. That’s one of those things the country was founded on, and one of the things that makes it so great – everyone has their own thoughts, beliefs, and choice of candidate.
Take pride and cast your vote tomorrow! Whatever the outcome, you did your part.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 
yes, do your part, think for yourself, and live with what and who you vote for
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While I agree with you about the majority of your post, I’d like to share my perspective on one thing. For the longest time I did not vote, not because I’m lazy, or because I don’t care, but for the opposite reason. I do care. I do not agree with our government the way it is run, and I do not want any part in it. I have been literally yelled at when I’ve disclosed in the past that I didn’t vote.
Forcing people to participate in something they don’t believe in isn’t the answer. Stripping people of their rights for not participating isn’t the answer. (The “you don’t have the right to complain” argument.)
A woman’s “right to choose” is on the ballot. While I don’t particularly agree with abortion, I don’t condemn it. Ultimately, I believe it is each of our right, as individuals, to govern our own body, our own life.
I don’t agree with taxes, there isn’t much of the law that I do agree with. What is paramount for me, is my right, and my family’s right, to be responsible and accountable for our own lives.
That being said, I have voted these last two elections, maybe going against what I value. Did it help? Who knows? Will I continue to vote? I don’t know. It is worth noting also, that in Pennsylvania if you are registered as Independent, which I am, you are NOT ALLOWED to vote, except for in the presidential election. I found that out this year. One more thing I have no say in. How ironic is that.🙏🏻❤️
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Melissa, thank you for commenting. I think you are correct and make a good point that is in line with what I said. I mentioned volition, the ability to choose. A person has every right to choose not to vote, too.
I also agree with you on not liking the way the government is run. I think they hide a lot from us, lie to us, trick us into things, etc. I have had a very difficult time trusting them for some time….
I respect your thoughts, your feelings and your position. I appreciate you commenting. Thank you!
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From my vantage point north of your border, this is spot on! As is the rest of your post. I hope you get a much better turnout than your previous elections. 🤞
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Indeed, get out and vote if you haven’t already and feel lucky you have a chance to and some choice, even if it isn’t always between two great choices. A lot of countries sure don’t get that chance. As for the celebs, I like it when they speak up – they try to influence us on everything else from fashion to food, so why not who could run the country best? – but hope people are smart enough to think for themselves and not just follow their favorite singer or actor without questioning.
As for Melissa’s post, I say if you don’t like the way the government is run, get involved and try to change it for the better. But I certainly, absolutely agree that forcing people to vote would be dumb… if you don’t care enough to vote on your own volition, you probably don’t care enough to be well-informed and should stay out of it.
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While I’m a political person, I deliberately do not post about politics. I feel it’s become such a toxic environment with so much negativity, and I don’t want to contribute to it. Admittedly, sometimes, it’s very hard for me to contain myself.
That said, I feel your call to vote to those who are eligible should be something everyone should agree with, regardless of where they stand politically. It’s a fundamental right in a democracy, and it’s important.
I also get your general contempt when it comes to celebrities. I would say the credibility of their involvement in a cause also depends on the context. If it’s a topic that impacts them or their family directly, I don’t mind if they speak out. To me it gets problematic when they are merely a paid spokesperson with no direct skin in the game.
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I share your… frustration?…I, both my parents, very political. I have to rein myself in because I am not yet a citizen & besides, dwelling on the negativity gets to eat you from the inside I think.
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