Get out and vote!

This coming Tuesday, Nov. 7th, is an important day. This is the day that you get to participate in the democratic process by voting, so get out there and do it. If you vote absentee, and haven't sent in your vote, do it.

Vote your conscience, even if that means "crossing party lines". I don't care if you call yourself a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or "Other/Unaffiliated/Undecided", if a candidate on your ballot is speaking to those issues that are important to you, vote for him or her, even if they are in a different political party than you are.

Republicans! Do you want the House and Senate to remain in Republican hands? Then get out and cast your ballot. If you stay home, and the Republicans lose the majority in either House (or both), do not cry and bellyache about it! You won't have anything to say if you stay home.

Democrats! Tired of the policies of the current majority party? Want to see some changes? Then get out and vote! If you stay home, and the Republicans retain the majority in either House (or both), do not cry and bellyache about it! You won't have anything to say if you stay home.

Libertarians! Want your party to become a viable third choice to the Republican or Democrat parties? Then get out and vote! Show the American people that you're serious about having your voice heard, so your party isn't looked upon with condescending tolerance by the "big boys", as it is now.

The rest of you that fall in the category of "Other/Unaffiliated/Undecided"! Make up your mind, and get out and vote! Voting Green? Fine, as long as you get out and actually vote! Unaffiliated? Get affiliated with someone, and vote! Undecided? Quit straddling the fence, make a decision you can live with, and vote!

Anyone who sits at home this coming Tuesday (or fails to send in their absentee ballot on time), and defaults on their civic duty of participating in the American democratic process, automatically gives up their right to cry and bellyache about the results!

No one at the National level appeal to you? Then don't vote for any of them. But! There are still local issues that will have a direct impact on you, that you should vote for (or against, as the case may be). Don't let National candidates that you don't care for be the excuse for you not making the effort to get out and cast your ballot.

Oh, and one last thing. Don't let bad weather be your excuse to not get out and vote, whether it is at the polling place, or via the US Post Office. Bad weather is what they make coats and unbrella's for!

Get out and vote, people! You can be sure I am!