Why Vote?

The following excerpt is attributed to League of Women Voters of Mississippi. I bolded the phrases to indicate some of the reasons why all registered American voters should vote.

The privilege of an American Citizen to vote is the right that defines our democracy. By exercising this fundamental right, we protect all the other rights of our constitution. The vote is an expression of equality; neither wealth nor fame or power can make one person’s vote count more than another person’s vote.

There are many . . . reasons . . . for not voting, yet every vote counts. Voting is the way to tell politicians and government officials what is important to us. . . .

The officials that we elect affect every aspect of our lives. Every voter has the opportunity to make personal decisions and influence the future. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference between winning and losing. Some notable decisions resulting from a single vote include:

* In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German
* In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
* In 1868, one vote saved Andrew Johnson’s presidency.
* In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes thepresidency of the United States of America
* In 1921, one vote in the Tennessee legislature ratified the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution and gave women the right to vote.
* In 1941, one vote saved selective service—just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Votes matter. As illustrated about a single vote can make a big difference in an election. The following is a list of specific reason why every Value Voter should cast a ballot on November 7, 2006. If enough Values Voters turn out than we could have a great impact on electing more U.S. Senators, and U.S. Representative and other state and local officials who will”

1. Insure that only judges will be confirmed who interpret the law and not legislate from the bench. This applies to state and local judges. Know where the judges, for whom you directly elect, stand on vital issues of morality.

2. Insure that the sanctity of life is recognized and persevered. Steps should be taken to abolish all abortion, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, cloning and euthanasia.

3. To protect and promote traditional one-man, one-woman marriage and family exclusivity. To eliminate the marriage tax penalty as long as we have the Federal Income Tax laws in effect.

4. To strengthen our national defense and national security. Consider defunding and eliminating the United Nations.

5. Completely stop the illegal alien invasion and securing our border. Make English the official language of the nation, as well as a requirement for citizenship. Implement a plan systematically purge the Illegal Aliens already in the United States and heavily fine and imprison and/or close down any businesses that hire or harbor illegal aliens. Void the North American Union idea between the U.S., Mexico and Canada and any trade or relationships that jeopardizes American sovereignty.

6. To de-emphasize the public education system controlled at present by the elite and their secular humanist philosophy To permit and encourage many other alternatives to public education. To close schools that are not meeting standards and give parents of those schools vouchers to go to the school or educational program of their choice. Curtail the monopolistic influence of teacher unions.

7. To encourage and expand faith-based initiatives to deal with our prisons, homeless, poor, etc.

8. To initiate a plan for the United States to eliminate the deficit and to work toward becoming debt-free. Institute ceilings for damage awards for malpractice and other business related liabilities to curtail frivolous lawsuits.

9. Eliminate the Federal Income Tax. Implement a consumption tax, which taxes items when they are purchased instead of taxation of income. This would encourage saving.

10. To initiate a plan and a policy to reverse the trade deficit and work toward deliberate creation of a trade surplus.

Know your candidates and issues and make A Good Choice on Election Day, November 7th, vote!