It Feels Great to Vote
by Motte Brown on 11/04/2008 at 11:28 AM
I love voting. I love casting my ballot for the candidates I believe have the best experience and vision to lead this country, both locally and nationally. And I actually enjoyed taking my time, reading the ballot initiatives here in Colorado on a variety of issues ranging from taxes to human life.
I feel great not because I think my candidates will win. Polls aren't oracles. But because I appreciate the gift God has given all Americans to participate in our representative government (mostly) without fear of intimidation.
And most of all, I'm joyful because I find rest in the sovereignty and goodness of our great God.
You see, this battle is almost over. And my conscience is clear that I have exercised my rights in this great city of man responsibly. I have studied the issues and carefully weighed the candidates. I've prayed for them and for the citizens of this country. I've put forth arguments in this forum on the issues for which I believe government is responsible, "to restrain evil, uphold righteousness, and provide for civil order."
The rest, I will leave to God, by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And by his power, I will not make an idol of politics by responding with anger or anxiety. Because my hope is that whomever is president over the next four years, I will be joyfully dissatisfied in this life, longing for the next.
The only question yet to be answered at this moment is the level of dissatisfaction. ;-)
1. Shannon K said the following at 11:46 AM on Nov 4:
Great reminder, Motte! It is an incredible privilege to be able to choose our leaders, not merely live under the thumb of the strongest person or whoever has the largest army. I often take for granted that those who are voted out of office leave peaceably and often even aid in the transition to whoever will take their place. Even if I end up mourning the election results, there is much for which I am grateful!
2. mindlab said the following at 12:51 PM on Nov 4:
The voting machine was broken. . . there wasn't a button for "None of the above."
3. Rebekah said the following at 12:59 PM on Nov 4:
Motte-
I definately agree. It was fun to read the different propositions and vote Yes or No and to wiegh the candidates and choose!
I also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that I have been faithful to do my part and now have only to trust in God's sovereignty and his ability to carry out his purposes.
The only dissatisfaction I feel (until the polls close ;-) is in seeing the rampant opportunities for voter fraud. I just try not to look b/c I can't do anything about it at present.
4. Susie said the following at 1:47 PM on Nov 4:
A hearty amen, Motte! I just voted about an hour ago, and it was good to be able to put in my small say on who I think might best govern us, and on issues. But also being grateful for God's ultimate control. I have friends from countries where the governments are corrupt and elections are rigged, and they give a good reminder of how good we have it here in America.
(incidentally, Starbucks is giving out free coffee to people who have voted. A nice bonus to the satisfaction I already feel about exercising my civic rights and responsibilities. ;)
5. DannieA said the following at 3:46 PM on Nov 4:
to add to Susie and starbucks...I heard Ben & Jerry's Ice cream and Coldstone is giving out a free small scoop as well...although I'm not sure on the coldstone one.
Thanks Motte....I love election day...not because this is a good one, but I just love the process and that we still can do this! And I was patriotic about it to. I wore red/blue/white and had my dual flag pin of America and CAlifornia on my suit jacket. Go USA and Go Cali.
6. Ashley Harris said the following at 3:56 PM on Nov 4:
I have spent the past two weeks trying to straighten out my voter's registration. When I completed my ballot today and put my "I voted" sticker on my shirt, it was all worth it. It does, indeed, feel great.
7. BDB said the following at 4:43 PM on Nov 4:
Well, my mail-in-ballot never made it to my PO Box. I ended up filling out a provisional ballot. That really confused the poll workers. Hopefully the ballot was lost, and the person didn't send it in to cancel my ballot. I did write on my provisional ballot explanation that it never arrived. Hopefully that will prompt them to check the signature.
As a final count, I had 9 "Yes-on-8" signs knocked down or stolen. Someone apparently swept through early this morning. But after that, someone else put up a forest of "Yes on 8" signs. They were everywhere this morning.
Polls show the traditionall marriage amendment running about 5% behind. I know lots of Christians got motivated, particularly after their signs got stolen. They are basically the only signs on display in my neighborhood. I hope people are equally motivated to go vote on this issue, regardless of how they voted on the others. We shall see.
I might have to move to Alaska...
8. DannieA said the following at 5:56 PM on Nov 4:
BDB....I was thinking maybe Texas...lol. I know my city was optimistic about yes on 8. We'll see
9. Nate said the following at 6:50 PM on Nov 4:
Exactly. Amen!
10. Tigger said the following at 3:28 AM on Nov 5:
Someone remarked to me that the older a democracy (or representative government) is, the less likely people are to vote, versus people in countries where democracy has been introduced recently.
I don't know the statistics in Spain, where I live, but here Spaniards take voting seriously. You rarely if ever encounter apathy here, because they remember or their parents remember those who died under an oppressive dictatorship not long ago at all. One only has to look at the Guernica painting to understand why voting matters not just for Spain, but for everyone.