Exercising Freedom

by Sentinel 10 Replies latest social current

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  Sentinel

  Today is a big day here in the state of Virginia. Many positions are up for election. I have been a voter since around 1984, when I was 39. It was a strange thing for me, when I pulled that curtain shut. Being raised a JW meant I never voted....never became involved with the process. I have to admit, there was a lot of conflicting stuff going about in my head that first time. Now, I proudly take part and highly recommend it. Democracy should never be taken for granted.

  How do you feel about voting, especially those of you who are now free from all the restrictive dogma
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  maxwell

  I feel grateful to be in a democracy where I can have a small voice. I just got my first voter registration card in the mail a few days ago. Not particularly a strange feeling just getting the card, but it was kind of cool to know that now I can participate in the process. There's no elections here this year. I registered as an independent and I don't anticipate changing that before the primaries next year so my first time at the polls will probably be this time next year.
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  stillajwexelder

  Democracy and freedom are wonderful things- - I have not yet had the courage to vote -- but I am going to this time around
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  JeffT

  I now regard voting as a civic duty, like paying taxes. I also think that being well-informed is part of the process. Registering to vote was one of the first things Debbie and I did when we were leaving. We have a number of things on our ballot today. We use absentee ballots because it is a lot more convenient, but I turn them in at the County building because it is only a few blocks from where I work.
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  Sentinel

  Yes, indeed it was a good feeling to freely make my choices at the voting booth yesterday. I'm pleased at what happened in our locality for the most part. At least, I took part in the democratic process.
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  Phantom Stranger

  I agree with the statement that if you didn't take part in the process, then you don't have the right to bitch about the results.

  I am all for voting, and I am all for being involved in campaigns and such. "Not capable of directing my own step" my ass.
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  Piph

  I don't feel informed enough to vote, yet. I know next to nothing about politics, government, economics, etc. Euphemism teaches me a lot, but I don't want to vote just based on his opinion. But in the meantime I'm trying to gather as much information as I can, because I believe in doing what I can to make life better.
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  Phantom Stranger

  You know, piph, the author Robert Heinlein had a simple method for voting. He said, "You may not be able to decide who to vote for... but you can always decide who to vote against."
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  Sentinel

  Phantom, what you just said is so true. Actually, this has happened to me on a couple occasions. When it really got down to the wire, I wasn't certain about supporting a certain individual and even thought that I would skip voting; however, I absolutely knew for certain that I didn't want the other person to get in office. I figured my vote might help that process a bit. You gotta do what ya gotta do.

  I am recalling how it used to be when I was a JW. I heard so much complaining about government politics, local, state and federal, yet none of the witnesses voted. It seemed like such an oxy-moron. It really was. They had no right at all to complain about something they did not even take a part in.

  Piph, it sounds like you are getting on the right path and have the right motivation. It takes awhile to make those changes in our lives. JeffT, sounds like you are taking an active part in the process. I do vote, but I don't really "get on the band wagon" of a candidate and get involved any deeper.
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  rocketman

  Just saw this thread.

  I voted for the first time on Nove 4. It felt good, knowing that I was contributing to a free society instead of just leeching off it, which was how I felt when I was a jw.