Civic Duty

We the People either speak or serve. The choice is ours.

"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. – Samuel Adams

Whenever I find myself conflicted during election time, the quote above is one I use to guide my thoughts. Powerful, isn't it? The concept of liberty and the contest for freedom which surrounds it are incredibly fundamental to this country. So often we get caught up in the hot-button topics of the day, the spin, the circus act being put on for our benefit - and distraction - and we fail to consider what truly matters. I will almost never discuss politics in my blogs. And this one is no exception. I have no interest in telling you who or what to vote for, that's your job to figure out.

But I will be early voting today, as will many Texans. In fact, this election has already broken early voting records by a wide margin - pretty much everyone has already decided on a candidate, and most are just plain done with the nonsense and rhetoric. More than anything, what is on my mind is the need for people to be involved - and by "be involved" I don't just mean VOTE. Pay attention. Do some research. Don't just take in the drivel that the media feeds you, they've ALL got their own agenda to push. Figure out what your own agenda is... REALLY figure it out. I see too many people who simply adopt the popular or superficial causes and rallying points in a mindless, brain-washed manner. Spend FIVE hours doing actual research on the positions of the candidate and political parties, and you will be a thousand times more informed that the average citizen. Is that too much to ask?

Just voting party lines, or following your friends vote is NOT taking part in the political process. If you don't vote, or you vote without being informed, then YOU are to blame for what's wrong with this country, because you ARE in control of it... Pretending that you're not? Using the lame excuse that your vote doesn't count? Then please refer to Mr. Samuel Adams at the beginning of this blog for instructions... Skip ahead to the part that begins "Crouch down..." the first part does not apply to you... VOTE, BITCHES... 6:38 am...