Fighting for Your Right to Vote

The election is almost upon us.  Soon, early voting will begin.  Georgia is not a major media market for the campaign, although there was some fleeting talk coming off the Democratic convention that Georgia might be competitive.  That has died down somewhat, and for us in South Georgia, we'll see most of our ads from the Florida TV stations.

I don't early vote, unless I feel there is a significant reason I can't make it to the polls.  Although who I vote for is not a big mystery, I still like to keep it open until the last minute, just in case some horrible fact or scandal emerges. Of course, the difficulty becomes sorting out truth and fiction when those things come up.  Sometimes you have to be very skeptical about the last minute noise.

I am proud that my son is participating in a group called Student Ambassadors.  They are working hard to increase the interest and registration of our young voters.  They are encouraging them to participate, to both inform themselves and vote.  It is not for or against any particular party.  It is a pro-democracy group, understanding that the most important function of our public schools is to create an informed and involved citizenry.

The Student Ambassadors encourage other acts of community involvement, including assisting the local Humane Society and helped at the opening of the Satilla Water Trail. They have volunteered at the local election office, spoken at a Historical Society meeting, and participated in registrations at their school.  They have conducted polling on national, state and local issues.

They recorded a promotional video on Facebook that won the statewide video competition.  Check it out if you get a chance - it's under the name Fight For Your Right (please ignore the Beastie Boys results).  It is one of the best student produced videos I've ever seen.

The Student Ambassador groups earn points for their various activities. Currently, the Pierce County Student Ambassadors are very near the top of the state rankings of Student Ambassador organizations. I am so proud of what Benjamin and his fellow Student Ambassadors are doing I could burst.

It's true.  Our state, like many other states dominated by one party rule, are making it more and more difficult to vote.  Constant road blocks and conditions are set up, and more are being contemplated.  Making registration simpler would be a blessing, as would Election Day being a holiday where people could easily get off work.

It's also true that many of our candidates we find unpleasant and down right difficult to choose from.  The current Presidential candidates from our two main parties carry the highest unfavorable ratings in the history of our Presidential politics.  And in many areas, because of one party dominance, you will look at a lot of the offices and find only one candidate running, leaving your input meaningless.

But rather than giving up and surrendering to these obstacles, the Student Ambassadors stand up to it, and help people work through the maze to defy the odds and become good, participating citizens.  If our democracy is going to be saved (and make no mistake - it is under severe siege and threat right now), it will be because of fine, upstanding young people like the Student Ambassadors.

When I salute the flag of the United States of America I don't do so because I deny all our flaws and imperfections.  Those do exist.  I salute it because I believe in the dream, I believe in the democratic republic for which it stands, for it's vision of equality and justice for all.   And that only happens when we all register to vote, inform ourselves and participate.

Bravo, Student Ambassadors!  Bravo!