Election Stuff

Honestly, when I talk about election stuff, I try to keep it to a minimum. Why? Because there is so much election stuff, it gets lost in the noise.

Here is my opinion. We have a right to vote. It is an amazing right. We have the right to vote because our forefathers bought that right with their blood on the battle ground of the Revolutionary War. Our forefathers recognized it as a huge right and privilege. I remember tearing up a few years ago when Iraq held it's first election, and seeing the huge pride well up in people as they proudly showed off their purple index finger from dunking it in ink to vote. It was a badge of honor.

Another right that was bought and paid for with the blood of our forefathers, is the right to free speech. There are women, right now, around the world, who don't even have the right to show their face, let alone what their opinions are. The soldiers of the Revolutionary War thought it was worth shedding blood over.

Every time we have a presidential election, it gets nasty. I have learned my lesson, I keep my opinions to myself, and let my voice be my vote. Why? I have lost friends because we differ on political views. Not because I wanted to end it, but because they did.

Can we all agree to one thing? Can we please embrace the fact that we have the right to agree and disagree? That we can each have and own our opinions without persecution from the powers that govern our land? I have opinions that would get me killed in other countries, especially as a woman. I may disagree with my neighbor about their views, but goodness, I revel in the fact that we all get to vote, and it matters. I want my neighbor to go cast his or her dissenting vote!

Before anyone goes and severs a friendship because they disagree politically, can we stop for a moment and enjoy the fact that we have that right? Can we please separate the two? We can still be friends, we can still disagree, and we can enjoy such wonderful rights! How cool is that?