The “right to vote” is a fundamental reason for America’s past
success and its bright future. When we
vote, we light a candle that burns brightly.
Its light spreads in all directions.
Indeed voting shines a light into the dark corners, and makes them
visible for all to see. When necessary,
it is our tool to help us get the American ship back on course, and steer it
out of the fog that occasionally descends.
The right to vote is also the “real” America Dream. It’s not a house, or a job and a certain
wage. All of those things exist in other
countries where there are no rights and dreams.
It is a basic act of self determination, and reflects on who we are as a
nation. Voting breaths life into our
Constitution. As a result, our
Constitution is also extraordinary.
In his remarks to the delegates of the United States Senate
Youth Program on February 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan said,
“I had a copy of the Soviet
Constitution and I read it with great interest.
And I saw all kinds of terms in there that sounded just exactly like our
own: “Freedom of assembly” and freedom
of speech” and so forth. Of course, they
don’t allow them to have those things, but they’re in there in the constitution. But I began to wonder about the other
constitutions --- everyone has one --- and our own, and why so much emphasis on
ours. And then I found out, and the
answer was very simple. That’s why you
don’t notice it at first, but it is so great that it tells the entire
difference. All those other
constitutions are documents that say that “We, the government, allow the people
the following rights,” and our Constitution says “We, the people, allow the
government the following privileges and rights.”
We give our permission to government to
do the things that it does. And that’s
the whole story of the difference --- why we’re unique in the world and why no
matter what our troubles may be, we’re going to overcome all those troubles ---
and with your help and support because it’s an ongoing process.”
It seems that the current crop of public servants in
Washington DC, and some in the various states have forgotten who they
serve. In fact, many seem to think that it
is their job to “rule” instead of “serve.”
In the name of public service, many serve a favorite issue, a financial
contributor or a political party and ideology.
As a result, they are driving the country on the left and right
shoulders of the road. The shoulders are
bumpy and often extreme. Either side
insists that they are on the correct side of every issue. In fact, neither side, left or right, is on
the correct side.
So, it’s time to find new drivers who will drive us down the
smooth middle of the road. That time of
decision is coming soon. Hopefully,
after the election in November 2014, the ride will start to even out. For us as voters, the only important thing to
do is for ALL of us to vote. It won’t
matter how each of us votes if we ALL vote.
The genius of America and the American Dream will shine once more.
. . . remember that America’s best days aren’t
behind her. America’s best days are ahead of her. They always
have been and always will be.
Dave
Copyright © 2013 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.
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