Voting is a patriotic duty in America

Elections are coming up fairly soon; are there are any “patriotic” answers for those who don’t plan to vote?

I will if I don’t forget.

I will if I have time.

I will if I get back from my business trip.

And that list goes on doesn’t it?

That list goes on even in a nation that calls itself a democracy. Some folks of the world have been willing to die trying to gain that privilege. It is one day in our democracy where each and every one of us is equal. Our votes are counted equally.

Those of us that do vote do it because we understand where our tax money goes:

It provides education for our children and grandchildren. That is most certainly consequential.

It pays all the government staff folks (police, fire protection, and more that work for us).

It pays for an extremely large military; all of our past wars, which have been and are still very costly. Some say that is imperative for our defense and cite the need. Military forces will protect us from terrorists that might come near us, threatening our borders.

For those who say they don’t have the necessary information to vote, remind them the Internet and media provide plenty of information.

Are you satisfied to have others, those that don’t vote, make your democratic decisions for you?

Could you politically, conscientiously celebrate July 4 if you did not vote?

Could you easily explain to a good, patriotic American friend why you did not vote?

Could you, with a straight face, complain about any facet of government if you did not vote?

Felons can’t vote, except in Oregon. It is a distinct privilege and one that I believe patriotic Americans should exhaust each and every opportunity to fulfill.

I would say it is a blooming disgrace for a healthy patriotic American individual not to vote in our democracy. Maybe Bud Brand, local poet and friend, said it best in very few words. He titled it “Disgrace.”

“Whether you’re right

Or, whether you’re wrong,

It’s a big disgrace

To put your face

In a place where it doesn’t belong.

Or not to put your face and your voting hand, in a place, it most

patriotically and democratically does belong.”

Please vote.

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D, is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@gmail.com .