Election Day

November 2, 2010 is a very special day if you live in the United States of America.  It is election day.  Besides white landowners, the ancestors everyone in this country has had to fight to gain the right to vote.  We all now have the right to vote.  Use that right responsibly.  Understand how important this election is.  So many people I know are going to the polls to vote against the Democrats (I live in a staunchly conservative area of the South).  It makes me almost want to cry.  We have finally after decades of Republican Congressmen finally elected a Democrat to Congress in out District, now his job is in jeopardy.  Even very conservative Blue Dog Democrats (much of which I agree with) are going to be replaced with right-wing conservative nut cases who care nothing about the people and only want to remove Pelosi as Speaker of the House and replace her with someone in the Republican party who is even more decisive.  I honestly don’t think Pelosi is the best person to be leading the House of Representatives because of her divisive politics.  Too much of politics is divisive.  Politicians and special interest groups campaign about what they are against.  I would much rather hear what you are for.  Why can’t we have one positive campaign?

This election is also much more than just about who controls Congress.  Control of Congress can be a two year deal and who knows what can happen in the next two years.  It is unlikely that the Republicans will gain a supermajority in Congress and thus any legislation they push through can be vetoed by the President and cannot be overridden.  Thus we will be at a standstill.  We need more moderates in Congress who can work across party lines and get things done.  We don’t need one party who will ram legislation down our throats, even when America is very vocal against it.

As I said, this election is much more than just about who controls Congress. In many of the states we are electing new governors.  It is these governors who will be given the chance to redraw Congressional districts, most of whom will redraw lines to favor their own party politics.  These governors will not only affect the next four years but also the next ten years.

I don’t have the answers about politics.  I know there are several of my readers who are much more informed than I am.  I am only a government teacher who tries to teach my students to be responsible citizens.  I am not trying to influence your vote, but I do ask that you vote responsibly.  I hope that you have researched the candidates that you truly know what your candidate is about and what they stand for, not just what they stand against.  Vote smart, vote responsibly, and do what you truly believe is best for your country.