Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Tenth Tradition


Today, of all days, I wish I could spill my guts here.  But I am bound by the 10th tradition to not do that.  It is election day, and I can say "go out and vote!"  I would like to go further and tell you who to vote for.  But I won't.

But I would like to say that as sober people, we have the responsibility to take our civic duty seriously.  So, I would like to say, counter to most folks, that if you don't know what you are doing, if you haven't paid attention to this election, and if you are voting for nebulous ideas that don't make a lot of sense after investigation - stay home.  Really.  Just stay home.

When the founding fathers (yes, they were fathers, not mothers) of the United States died to protect our freedom of speech and our right to a voice, they were not talking about uninformed people talking a bunch of nonsense.  They were talking about people who took responsibility for themselves and took the time to be informed and form an opinion based on facts.  People who took the time, and did the work, and whether you agreed with them or not, you had to respect their opinions and their right to voice them.  

We have a beautiful country.  My son, and hundreds of thousands like him, have fought for our freedoms in the middle east.  Our brothers, cousins, and friends fought in Vietnam.  Our fathers, uncles, and grandfathers shed their blood, sweat, and tears in Europe in the first and second world wars.  This is serious stuff.  It doesn't always feel good.  It isn't always pretty.  Many have died for this country and all it stands for.  

Please take the time for an informed decision about our future.  

And stay sober, OK?


9 comments:

Lou said...

MC, I wish you would tell us how you really feel.

Tell your son thank you from me today.

dAAve said...

Here, here!
If anything, I think I'm over-informed. I'm also unimpressed with all the lies put forth by both presidential candidates. It smacks of little change for the future.

Anonymous said...

I'm gonna trust that HP has this one in His hands and knows what's best for us...

Scott W said...

Casting my ballot today while wearing my ear buds and reading "Man Enough to be a Woman"--the autobiography of Wayne (Jane) County!

Pammie said...

As I stood in line this morning to vote to I was thinking of some of these same things you write about. I will never understand the drive to round up folks and register them to vote. Why do they need rounding up? If they don't know they have a duty and right to vote then they don't know enough to do so.
I wish some people that I really love would wake up and realize the harm they are spewing.
AND I give you my word, I will stay sober today.

Syd said...

I voted in an informed manner and am glad that I did. I would say that it's also to vote in an unselfish manner with the good of all people in mind. That's my hope for this day.

steveroni said...

Couple weeks ago I voted--Was more informed then, than now...because I stopped thinking about it.

But I DID stand on the sidewalk one day for several hours, shouting, "VOTE FOR ********". I did not think, though.

From,
another-who-won't-tell-you-how-I-really-feel-a-roni...so there!

One Prayer Girl said...

I hope for the best, but allow some preparation in my heart for the worse.

In the final analysis, I am praying God will be in the center of this election and will be in the center of all that comes in our country's future.

J-Online said...

hey mc...stop by my blog to pick up your award!