By Kami Klein
Today, in the few hours of a single day, the United States will know the outcome of one of the most pivotal and historical Presidential votes in our 240 year history.
This has been an election year where the polls are in a frantic debate over who is really ahead and mud slinging is at an all time high. Even the most uninformed voter knows that the stakes are high for deciding what direction the American people are wishing for this country to go. We have been torn apart, friendships threatened, and voices raised for a very long time.
Electing a President is not all about the character of the person, or who you want to listen to for four years. What we must remember is we are voting on a platform of ideas and beliefs for what is best for U.S., the American people! We will have a say on what we personally, in our own hearts and from our own experiences, feel is best to answer the the current problems and challenges.
Maybe you don’t know the platforms. Unfortunately, in all of the rhetoric and the passion from both sides, the ideas and policies each candidate wishes to lead for a new America has been shrouded in a fog. What is the Democratic Platform? Do their beliefs match yours? What ideas will the Republican Platform put forth in answer to the many problems facing this nation? Your faith and your lifetime of experience matters.
I have heard a few people say that they don’t like either of the candidates. They don’t like them at all so they just won’t vote. They think their inaction will make a statement to the nation that ‘hey, we just don’t like those candidates, what do you think about that?’. Unfortunately, history has shown that not voting will mean nothing to your leaders. You have decided not to count. And you won’t.
No matter where you live or what your circumstances are, you MUST realize that deep down you know what you believe. You have those gut feelings telling you what you believe. You know when something doesn’t sit right with you, and you know when it feels right. What I am telling you is that how you feel will be counted in the vote unless you wish to remain silent.
Not voting is akin to surrender. We do not have the luxury of surrender with all that is going on in this country and in this world. Be brave, be informed, and get to know what it is that these candidates are representing. Vote! Please vote!
Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “ Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”
DO NOT SURRENDER!! Please study the platforms and VOTE!
Download the Republican Party Platform
Download the Democratic Party Platform