Despite the numerous differences between candidates, virtually any person running for office will at least pay lip service to the notion that this a critically important election cycle. Beyond the normal myriad of social issues, we are engaged in 2 wars, facing a recession, struggling to define an energy policy and losing ground to the world on education, technology, medicine and environmental policy. Senator Obama, Senator McCain and the hosts of Congressmen and Congresswomen up for election have grasped the Mantle of Change and hold it skyward as they pine for your vote. Each of us must now decide whose version of change is the one most needed by the country.
As you contemplate the choices before you, I strongly encourage you to tune out the rhetoric, the attacks, and the fear-mongering. I am not writing to sway opinions or even to present my own about the candidates. This post is simply a request that each person take the time to figure out the most important issues facing the country and then vote for the candidate(s) they believe most likely to lead us in overcoming these hurdles.
At a minimum, take 5 minutes to complete a Candidate Comparison Survey to see which candidate is most aligned with your own views. Now is not the time to be voting based on the letters behind each name and now is most certainly not the time to be sitting on the sidelines. Voting is a right, but it is also a responsibility. Each of us owes it to ourselves and to our country to have a legitimate reason when we pull the lever on Nov 4th.
If you live in the Louisville Metro Area, the following list covers the major party candidates for federal office. Each link takes you to the candidate's website.
President of the United States
Sen. John McCain (R)
United States Senator
Mitch McConnell (R)
Bruce Lunsford (D)
United States Representative
2nd Congressional District (Bullitt / Spencer / Shelby County)
Brett Guthrie (R)
David Boswell (D)
3rd Congressional District (Louisville / Jefferson County)
Anne Northup (R)
John Yarmuth (D)
4th Congressional District (Oldham County)
Geoff Davis (R)
Michael Kelley (D)
It is our responsibility as citizens of this great Country to vote. This is a great and informative post for your region.
Hi Erik -- I don't live in Louisville but I know who I am voting for in my area. The closer it gets to the election the less I listen to the media. They seem to have their own agenda. The purpose of the media should be to tell the news, not create the news.
This is the first time I have heard of ProCon.org. Thank you for taking the time to share a link to this site. Very interesting... Enjoy your day. Regards, C.
I am seriously thinking of voting Libertarian. I think both Obama and McCain are extremely poor choices for the office of President of the United States.
There are only 545 people in washington making the choices and rules for us all. Time to vote them all out and start over.
Hi Erik. Great post. I took the Candidate survey and I'm actually in line with one of the independents! Actually a surprise to me not what I had expected. Hmm, I was confused before I took it on who I was voting for, now I'm REALLY confused :)
Have a great day.
Edna Ledoux Jamieson
Realtor/ABR
Lakeshore Rentals & Sales, Inc.
www.smithmtnlakeproperties.com
Thanks for the post...and the link! Cool thing to put out there for your regular blog readers....hope it drives some extra traffic and extra business for you!
Ellie - Thanks. I hope that everyone takes a few minutes to truly think about who they are voting for and why.
Shirley - I agree. Beyond that, talking heads seldom take the time to reveal the details of each candidates plans. To me, this is critical in determining how each one's policies will affect myself and my family.
C - I looked at several different comparison sites, but thought that ProCon was one of the simplest and more informative.
Rob - I think a strong 3rd party would drive more accountability and be a tremendous improvement (at least for a time). However, it is going to take a really strong personality to have a legitimate opportunity.
Heath - In theory, that would be remarkably simple. However, it requires that people educate themselves about the situation and issues.
Edna - If you really want to be confused, take this survey. It includes all of the candidates who ran during the election cycle.
Loren - Thanks. I hope that I have regular blog readers :)
I'm firmly convinced that if the majority of Americans truly vote for the candidate they think is best for the country then we will be OK. We will still be divided, but it doean't have to be a matter for fear and anger.
I couldn't agree more! This has been a very close and exciting election. I am looking forward to seeing the end results come November 5th!
Thanks for including the voting comparison website. It's funny how the ideas you have sometimes align perfectly with the other candidate!
It always baffles me that of the millions of voters, only a small percentage of them actually go out there and vote. How hard is it? Do they just not care? I certainly enjoy getting out there and putting in my two cents. This is what this country is about- we all need to take an active role in it!
Thanks for sharing, Nicole Weidauer
The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle
Is it that time again, didn't we just vote last year. I need to buy a TV so I can see who's running. I grateful for early voting. I pulled the lever for George Bush sure hope he wins.
Erik - the short answer is yes. And I also know why I will be voting for that person, can clearly explain it comparing policies and effects of those policies. But not on your post.
Another great post, my friend. Thanks for doing your part to get the word out and make people think.
I am ready. You know the only problem with voting for a 3rd party is that it just takes away from the other two. There are not enough people in the US that vote for the 3rd party (right now).
Leslie - I hope that you are correct. Sooner or later we are going to have to come together on the big issues though.
Nicole - Since the candidates share similar views on some topics it is impossible to disagree with either completely. The differences really lie in which issues each of us consider to be most important. I also am looking forward to Nov 4th and 5th.
Charles - Save yourself the money on the TV. Also, you may want to bring a pencil with you if you'd like to vote for Bush again.
Mike - It sounds like you are informed and comfortable with your decision. I respect that.
Aunt Mel - I seem to remember you writing something along the lines of, "Vote or shut up!" I thought this was perfect in both poignancy and brevity.
John - At this point, I agree. It will take a strong, motivating and filthy rich individual to launch a legitimate 3rd party campaign, but that someone could really make things interesting. In the meantime, I've made my choice and look forward to Nov 4th.
Erik-I will partake in the vote and I like how you posted about the people running in your town. Great idea!
Thanks for the reminder Erik! I have it all figured out here in Idaho!
Well that was interesting, I'm pretty sure the candidate that I should be supporting will not win. The candidate that I am voting was a close second so there it is. Thanks for the post. I agree that we all need to let our voice be heard. If you can't vote till late in the day, turn off the radio, and the TV and try to ignore the internet and vote before the pollster tell you who will win. Especially for those of us out here in the west.
I find it hard to believe that there is anyone alive right now that doesn't know who they are voting for, and why.
Katherine - Thanks. I think that many people have a good idea of where the presidential candidates stand, but information on other offices is often hard to find.
Pam - Glad to hear it.
Randy - You make a great point about avoiding media coverage until you cast a ballot. Everyone should vote regardless of how blue or red their particular state is. Besides, local elections can be just as important when it comes to taxes, education, and services.
Janna - Regardless of the polls claiming that undecided's exist, I tend to agree with you. My only concern is what the 'why' is based on.
What a gool non-partisan post...I like it..;-) As for nobody alive not knowing who they're voting for.......polls still show 4-7% undecided..:-)
Liz - Thanks. I'm impressed that the comments stayed non-partisan as well. I know what the polls say. (At this point, I think the only three functional websites on my computer are AR, Real Clear Politics, and my MLS.) I just find it hard to believe that people don't have some opinion on which candidate would better match their needs and ideals.
I'll be at the voting booth still confused!!!
I think this very smart move on your part. I am amazed at how many of my friends had no idea who they were voting for other than the party. I told them to talk this test and I say about 75% changed how they were voting.
They only heard the talking points, not what they really stood for.