I know, I know.  You’re fed up with hearing how important it is to vote today.

Too F-in bad. Because it is VERY important that you ensure your voice is included in the vote tomorrow.

And, that’s true for every election, not just this one. Yes, we are not deciding on a replacement for TheDonald- or his re-election. but, this is an important vote we make today.

Every single Congressional district will be determined by our vote. Are we voting for folks who want to get things done? Or folks who want to gum things up? Are the choices we make willing to work with folks on both sides of the fence, so that something positive results? After all, our infrastructure needs close attention. Unless, of course, you like driving on interstates that are being sold to foreign countries and reverting to the tolled travel that obtained when I was a child. Or, willing to consider that crossing our bridges is a lottery- not one where we may win the jackpot- but simply survive the trip, with the bridge not falling down. (The federal government has finally anted up $ 250 million to repair the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Overloaded by 68,000 vehicles every day, it’s been falling apart (chunk by chunk) for more than a decade. But, don’t get too excited- the repairs won’t be finished until 2022.)

36 states (and 3 territories) will be choosing a new governor. With 46 of our states choosing new legislatures- a total of 88 chambers (only 11 are not changing hands). And, those folks may be the ones charged with rearranging our Congressional boundaries, as well as those for our state legislators and state senators.

And, then, we have local elections. Here in Alexandria, we vote a new council, a new mayor (well, he’s unopposed, so he already won), as well as a new school board. (Our high school is very overcrowded, and most of the elementary schools are as well. And, if that isn’t enough to get you involved, the performance of many a school is not up to where it should be.)

The map below, as published by the Washington Post, in their “Outlook” section on 28 October (page 2) says it all.  The lower the turnout, the more a single vote can make the difference between and winner and the loser.

That means you, Hawaiian.  Where only 43% of those eligible marked a ballot.  (Don’t be so smug in Tennessee or West Virginia.  Only half (50% and 51%, respectively) of you turned in a vote.)

What it really comes down to is that every vote for every office counts. Your state legislature will decide your state taxes, your roads, your highways, your schools. Some of them will try to bar even more folks from voting in the future. Others will disallow abortion (let’s not BS one another and say they are making things safer). If you don’t vote, then you are saying you don’t care.

It’s likely that a tremendous turnover will roil the US House of Representatives. Both because many of our existing Congressfolks have chosen to retire. (Or as is true in several districts, the Representative is under indictment.)

It is also possible that the Democrats can eke out a plurality in the Senate- or that the GOP will add to their slender majority. That alone should entice you to vote!

If you decide to stay home and not vote, then you really lose all standing in how things will be for the next two- or more years. Remember, the President is only one leg of the Federal government- and both the legislative and the executive will select our next judges (the judicial leg, the third one).

So, things are up for grabs. Ergo, make sure you vote today. It is your duty as a citizen. And, we (the United States) need all the help we can get.

And, don’t tell me the lines are long. I’ve seen you queue up to buy that lottery ticket, that sporting event admission, or that new iPhone.

So, suck it up. Wait the hour. Bring your iPad or Kindle to while the time away.

Just Vote.

 

Along that line, the Congress you voted for last time (or didn’t) changed the tax code.  Lots of changes.  Go buy my book to find out how you are affected.   And, you can avail yourself of my offer (outlined here) if you buy the paperback edition.