AMFTony Payne, a lifetime political and civic activist, is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Maine's Future. He has over 30 years experience in Maine's business community including service as Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing for Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company as well as the New England Region Vice President for Communications at OneBeacon Insurance. In addition, he was President of Maine Media, Inc. and has been honored with the Edward L. Bernays Award for lifetime achievements by the Maine Public Relations Council. He currently serves on the Town Council in Falmouth where he and his wife are raising three sons.
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"I forgot to vote" is inexcusable
Nov 2, 2009 04:55 PM
Categories: Advice, Economy, Government at Work
No matter how you feel about the seven ballot questions and municipal candidate elections that will be decided by tomorrow night, we all need to vote. Simply by casting our ballots, we ensure that the foundation of our nation remains in good condition.
Inattention or indifference is inexcusable. Remember, millions have gone into harm's way for our right of self-determination and many have laid down their lives when that right has been threatened just so that we can exercise our civic responsibility on each election day. By contrast, that same right appears to have been compromised in Afghanistan just this morning. No run-off election will occur. Imagine having that happen in the United States.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
With that declaration of independence in mind, we also have ventured beyond our shores to enable or protect the great experiment called democracy on other continents and in a myriad of cultures. Sometimes we have intruded and other times we have lost sight of our purpose - and sometimes we have supported the lesser of two evils. But, on the whole, we have moved the dial in the right direction and in so doing have helped weave the fabric of a more civil and just world community.
Now some may ask, "Do you really want everybody to vote?" implying that those who don't fully understand the issues or have no knowledge of the candidates will somehow make the wrong decision.
The answer should be "yes" because just as America doesn't always get it right, the voters will nevertheless move the dial in essentially the right direction simply by casting their vote in a free and fair election affirming our belief in self-determination. That in itself is a victory in which we all should participate.
Please, get and stay informed. And, if you want your view to prevail, do as Edmund Muskie used to say, "Explain, justify and persuade." Encourage others to do the same. And then, cast your ballot.
Inattention or indifference is inexcusable. Remember, millions have gone into harm's way for our right of self-determination and many have laid down their lives when that right has been threatened just so that we can exercise our civic responsibility on each election day. By contrast, that same right appears to have been compromised in Afghanistan just this morning. No run-off election will occur. Imagine having that happen in the United States.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
With that declaration of independence in mind, we also have ventured beyond our shores to enable or protect the great experiment called democracy on other continents and in a myriad of cultures. Sometimes we have intruded and other times we have lost sight of our purpose - and sometimes we have supported the lesser of two evils. But, on the whole, we have moved the dial in the right direction and in so doing have helped weave the fabric of a more civil and just world community.
Now some may ask, "Do you really want everybody to vote?" implying that those who don't fully understand the issues or have no knowledge of the candidates will somehow make the wrong decision.
The answer should be "yes" because just as America doesn't always get it right, the voters will nevertheless move the dial in essentially the right direction simply by casting their vote in a free and fair election affirming our belief in self-determination. That in itself is a victory in which we all should participate.
Please, get and stay informed. And, if you want your view to prevail, do as Edmund Muskie used to say, "Explain, justify and persuade." Encourage others to do the same. And then, cast your ballot.
JimB says,
Tony...now that the election is over I have a message for those who didn't vote. If you didn't bother and things didn't go your way; shut up! I don't want to hear your whining and complaining. Next time, do something about it! Best thoughts, Jim.
Nov 7, 2009 09:44 AM
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