You Better Believe I Will Vote

I will vote. I have voted locally, statewide, and nationally since I was eighteen. It has been a privilege just like going to church, making choices if I want to buy a gun or not, take a job or pass one up, use a credit card or pay cash, take a plane or ride on the greyhound. I get choices. I have freedom. I love living in a free country where I am not afraid of the government. I love America. I love the Constitution. I love justice and I love law and order. Yes, of course, I'm voting!!!

Voting can no longer be casual and I've come out of the closet where speaking up to save these freedoms by voting used to be a very private matter and wasn't socially discussed. Now I must speak, even shout, if need be. And here's why:

I've discovered that in our country there are so many misconceptions/jaded perceptions about our Constitution, which has taken the brunt and blame for all the ills and injustice that many people feel has happened to them for one reason or another. That makes me incredulously sad and angry that somehow, basic respect and honor for our country has been thrown out the window.

Now I've heard talk that the Constitution "wasn't written for everybody and that it is outdated." Outrageous and dangerous thinking. We won't have a country with true freedom much longer if this isn't set straight.

I chalk this disrespect up to lack of knowledge about what our country is based on and what the founding fathers wisely set forth for generations to come. Let's take a look at the Preamble (or introduction) of the United States Constitution:

A more perfect union...don't we all want that? Establish justice...that's a tough one, but I think Americans have it within ourselves. Insure domestic tranquility...peace would be very nice. Provide for common defense...that is really what the government's main job is, both foreign and domestic. Promote the general welfare...yes, in unison we can figure out how to care for the widowed and orphaned. Secure the blessings of liberty...we all like to make our own choices, don't we???

Government starts at a local level. I'm going to say this again: government starts at a local level! If you don't like how things are going in your hometown, make sure you know your city council, mayor, etc. Educate yourself, vote in local elections, and if you haven't voted, then don't blame the president or state governor or any federal agency if you are less than satisfied with the results.

Take responsibility on a local level!!! This is where your vote counts the most.

Now, back to the Constitution. This beautiful document is set up to be fair with systems of checks and balances at every level. Powers are defined and allocated. The founding fathers were actually genius in establishing our republic. So, now let's look at why our country is actually a republic and not a democracy:

And in the Constitution, there is the BILL OF RIGHTS:

And yes, there was a time when not everyone could share in these rights and the privileges were for white men only. But, we Americans, stood up and voted some amendments into our Constitution, changing that! Black men got the vote first and then later, women of every color. We didn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, we just changed the water. And that is what responsible Americans do.

While I'm on this topic about amendments, there are right ways to get things done and there are wrong ways. Let me show you:

Dr. Martin Luther King & Women's Suffrage peacefully protested. They did not riot or loot or burn property!

If you believe there is injustice, then by all means, protest peacefully! It is your right as an American! And vote locally, statewide, and federally.

The problem with justice is that no matter how good and righteous and beautiful its concept, unfortunately, love and kindness and mercy cannot be mandated. We can however, make sure laws are in place to protect the innocent and give everyone a fighting chance to be the best they can be. We must have law and order to maintain a semblance of civility to one another.

First, let's get educated! Then, let's sit down and listen to one another. And, hand in hand, let's peacefully make things right in our country. Let's start by respecting the Constitution and acknowledging that it works for all of us. If we can make it better, let's get those amendments going.

Let's also know the dangers of losing our freedoms to socialism:

And know the dangers of socialism. Don't take my word for it, educate yourself on these topics. Do the research.

America, our melting pot, is a country where everyone gets a chance because of our basic freedoms. Nobody said it was going to be an easy feat to have success. It takes hard work, no matter what age, gender, color, or religion. Life is hard. But we have choices. Live your American dream, work hard, get educated about government, and vote!!! And when you get the chance to be just, have mercy, love others, and do good, do it!!!