Primary Voting - May 4, 2015

Tomorrow is a primary election day here in Ohio. Many local offices are up for grabs, including Columbus Mayor and 4 seats on the City Council. I cannot understand why people, many of whom valiantly protect their other rights (real or perceived), ignore their one real chance to affect change. You can post opinions on social media until your fingers turn blue; carry signs and protest government action or inaction; write editorials or blogs; or just stand and yell on a street corner on just about any issue you can imagine. Yet nothing the average person can do will impact government more than simply exercising your right AND RESPONSIBILITY to vote.

Speaking as a former mayoral and council adviser, while serving as a city or town engineer, consider the impact your local government has on your everyday life. The U.S. Congress and President may set national policy, but when you think about it, how much does national policy affect your everyday life on a personal level? Tax rates, trade policies, and similar policies do have impact, but no more impact than local policing policies, sales tax and sewer rates, street cleaning and pothole repair schedules, traffic control, fire protection, public parks, libraries, and public schools!

I have had my frequent rants on social media, and I do doubt whether I provide any positive influence at all. But if I ever do have influence, I hope it is through encouraging each and every person reading this post (both of you) to do a little research beyond sound bites and attack ads, and VOTE in every election. I have often heard that American deserve a better government. I disagree. Voter turnout in the last election was around 20% nationwide. If 80% of eligible voters cannot be bothered to vote, then Americans have the government they so richly deserve. Our founding fathers fought for the right of the people to have a say in the operation of their Federal, state, and local governments. Is their legacy a country of people too lazy and ignorant to exercise that right?