A

As it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is an appointed time for everything under the heavens, a time to live and a time to die; a time to love; a time to laugh; a time to listen to political ads; and a time to vote.  Our time to vote across all states is less than a week away.  Yes, it is finally time to vote—I know what you are thinking–it seems like yesterday when the various campaigns started.

I loved Thom Kuhn’s piece in the Forum a couple of weeks ago relative to voting–simple, to the point, non-political as a political piece could be, and non-controversial.  On top of that, it was informational on the history of Presidents—a gentle reminder of the great, and maybe not so great, leaders of the past.  Did everyone know that Harry Truman assumed the office after the death of Frankin Roosevelt and then went on to win on his own merits in 1948.  Thom is a man of great wisdom and insight and what a treasure the Millstone group of companies have been to our industry and to our marketplace for so many years.

Thom’s article made me think about my vote and my responsibility as a connected industry professional with many contacts to craft my own message and post my own thoughts. Like Thom, my message is simply for everyone of age and qualifications to take the time and make the effort to study the issues and the candidates and stand in line and cast your ballot on voting day and make your voice be heard across our lands.

When PEOPLE of all colors walk into my PEOPLE meetings, I have no idea of their political beliefs or religious affiliations, and they have no idea of which path I walk in life.  That is the way life should be–political and religious beliefs should be kept to oneself.  We are a nation of many cultures, many religions, many races, many beliefs—they are all right, they are all wrong—all in the eyes of the beholder.

It seems we have arrived at a point in history where the two major parties are so far apart, it has become almost impossible to cast a vote outside of party lines.  That is tough for me as I have never declared myself to be a democrat or a republican—I always studied the issues as best I could, sized up the candidate running and voted according to the feelings in my heart and my gut.  I grew up in a mixed family, at least as far as political parties are concerned.  I could never admit to my late father that I ever voted for a Republican and I sure could not tell my late father-in-law that I even considered voting for a Democrat ever.  I might have to give his daughter back.  The honest truth is that over the years I have voted for both sides.

In addition to Thom’s plea to vote, I want to add that you should vote for what you believe in, not what some political party tells you that you should believe in.  Personally, I am sick of all the hatred in the world today, all the racism, all the name calling, all the untruths that flood the air waves.  I will vote for the candidates that I feel represents the type of character I like to see in a person—love, care, respect for all people, honesty, truthfulness, ability to lead and inspire others.

I am also sickened over this inability of our leaders to put in effect the simplest of ideas to control the weapons that have no purpose other than to kill people and the hyped-up ammunition that we manufacture to shred the insides of our family, friends and enemies.  Weapons and such ammunition belong in the fields of war, not in our homes and the streets of our city.  I am not a gun control activist or a second amendment lover or hater, but I deplore weapons, most especially those that allow individuals of various degrees of sanity to fire multiple rounds, faster and faster, louder and louder, all for no explainable reason.  The poor rabbits, squirrels, and deer’s do not have a chance—neither do the unsuspecting victims caught in one of the many mass shootings in our land.  Without some very simple intervention by our leaders, the mass shootings will continue—does anyone out there really think otherwise?  I will study the position of each candidate, of every race, very closely to see where he or she stands on this issue.

There is no perfect person to hold the job of President of the United States.  I am not looking for perfection in my vote.  I am looking for character, I am looking for normalcy, someone that represents the basic values and principles that have guided our nation for so many years.  I am looking for someone who can listen to all points of view, who can react, negotiate, and compromise, who can act quickly and decisively, who can lead and who can select leaders of similar character to stand by their side, who can guide and care for those that need a little help, and who have the common sense to follow when appropriate.  I am looking for someone who represents me, my family, my friends, my neighbors up and down the street, the PEOPLE I try to help in my work.

I realize that we all look for different values or we measure values differently—and I respect that.  Vote your beliefs, but vote.

The issues that impact our way of living are complex, you tighten one screw and another screw loosens on the other side of the earth.  There are no easy answers.   No one person can possibly know the answers or even the questions.  I always laugh when candidates say what they will do on “Day One” if elected—it just is not that simple.  Personally, I would spend day one resting, relaxing, and partying with my family and searching like heck for good people to help me lead this nation.

Do not sit this election out—your vote is being requested by many, do not let your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow countrymen down.  For President, we are limited to two candidates that have any chance of collecting more votes than all others in the race.  Maybe you have issues with both of these candidates, that is understandable.  Neither one is perfect just as neither of us is perfect.  Walk in that booth in a few short days with a clear action plan and cast your vote for one of these candidates—as well as the many candidates vying for the other open offices–you will feel good about yourself.

I would like to think that all would agree this is not too much to ask of each of us in repayment for the sacrifices of so many that have died protecting our freedom and our right to vote.