Our vote is our only real power. Let us not abdicate or waste it

We have some very important elections this year. Elections have consequences, and a lot is riding on how we vote, or worse, if we choose not to vote at all.

There are concerted efforts at the national level and across many states to make it more difficult to exercise that power.

We cannot afford to sit silently by and allow such efforts to win.

First, follow any proposed changes in voting requirements and make sure you are still able to vote.

Then, determine where you stand on the candidates, and the issues.  

What is the profile of the man or woman who potentially could represent you in Jefferson City and Washington? Do you really know the candidates and their positions on the issues that will impact your life, your family, your neighborhood, your city, for the next two, four, or six years — even beyond?

In Missouri, there are very important ballot issues seeking your vote in August and November. Take the time to find out and understand what you are truly being asked to vote for.

All across the country there are legislative offices — at the municipal, county, state and federal level — with candidates vying for our vote. Our involvement and vote, or failure to vote will determine the outcome for those critical offices. 

In Missouri, the list of the issues, offices and the candidates vying for them gives you an idea of how much is at stake and up for grabs. 

To understand what the candidates really stand for, once in office who they will really represent, the details of public policies, or impending legislation can be daunting, if not indeed overwhelming. Most of us are preoccupied with daily issues of making ends meet, raising a family, keeping a job, and other demands.  

There are ways we can achieve a “comfort zone” around who can best represent us, and how we should vote on ballot issues before us.

You might find this approach helpful. 

1) Take some time to examine and reflect on the issues that are important to you — whether they are your personal quality of life, economic development, community revitalization, jobs for youth, quality health care or some other concern. What has been the overall political and policy direction and decisions taken by those whom you have entrusted to lead?

2) Develop a score card on paper or in your mind and see how you, and your community, city, county, state or our nation has fared. Ask yourself a few critical questions: Are things better off than they were two, three or four years ago? If not, why not? Who and what actions or inactions are responsible?

3) Consult creditable local and national organizations and other trusted sources for factual information. 

Many of the issues and conditions impacting your community, city or state are the same across the country. Some are different. But the important thing is how they are dealt with, and what are the attendant results short-term and long-term by the people you vote to put in office.

We only have to look at a few critical indicators to reach some rather poignant conclusions:

• Our ability to keep up with the cost of living.
• The availability and affordability of housing in our communities.
• Access to quality health care services at affordable prices.
• Access to services such as a good grocery store, pharmacy, auto services, etc.
• The state and quality of education our children are receiving.

We cannot afford to just look at our personal situation, or just one area, in a vacuum when so much of where we find ourselves is interconnected. 

Your vote for a particular candidate can be the change. Find out what actions the incumbents have taken or failed to take on issues that are most important to you. Ask the challengers for their specific plans to address them should they be elected. 

When you tally your scorecard, what are your conclusions about the incumbent and the challenger?

Our current political environment is flooded with divisiveness, disinformation, misinformation, no information, downright lies, personal agendas, finger pointing and the blame game dominating the news and public square. It is very difficult to shut out the noise and give serious thought about the conditions all around us.

This unproductive morass should compel us to ask what moral values are being adhered to. History has proved that no civilization or nation survives without them.

The representatives we elect to represent us will respond when we insist they do with the power of our vote and vigilance once they are in office. If you want elected officials who are honest, ethical, and responsive, vote and hold the elected officials accountable throughout his/her term.

Good government, like a good family, a good church, or a good school, takes having the right people at the top making good decisions. But it also takes the rest of us to play our part.

We have time to research, discuss, and mobilize the vote.

Tell a neighbor, a family member, or a colleague who you think will be best to work and fight for the issues you care about — for your family, your neighborhood, your city, your state, and our country. 

Our vote has the power to make the difference and the changes we need.

We can’t afford to not use that power, or waste it.

This article was originally published by Missouri Independent and is republished by MetroSTL under a Creative Commons license. The reporting is the outlet’s; please support them.