Chattanooga Voters - It's time to VOTE!

By David Israel, Business Manager

Everywhere you go and everyone you talk to lately seem to be discussing and thinking about next week's election.  I must say that this is a welcome focus because I believe that the most important issue today, besides the economy, is voting.  Political views aside, everyone needs to vote because voting is a fundamental right given to us by the founders of our country and we all need to make sure that our vote counts. 

Early voting in Chattanooga (Hamilton County) broke the record with over 67,500 people voting early; early voting records were shattered in every state that allows early voting.  In Florida (where my folks live) people waited two hours or more just to early vote.  I think it is great that citizens are so committed to making sure their vote gets counted.  (My mother actually picked up an absentee ballot, filled it out and returned it rather than waiting in line; but she voted.)  By all accounts, Tuesday will produce a record turnout across the United States unmatched in our lifetime.

This right should not be taken lightly, after all before 1920, Women didn't have the right to vote, they had to fight for that right.  The passing of the 19th Amendmentto the Constitution finally gave women the right to vote.  There was also a time that blacks couldn't vote and, if I recall correctly, the desire for freedom and representation led to the Declaration of Independence which started the Revolutionary War.  Throughout our history people have fought and die to protect many things, among them the right to vote.

Some may try to convince you that your vote doesn't matter.  They'll say something like, ". . . this is a red state or this is a blue state so your vote won't count."  Shame on anyone that tells your anything other than, your vote matters, your vote counts and you need to vote this year on November 4th.

So, my moral of the story (okay it's a blog) is just get out and vote.  Whether you are Democrat or Republican (by the way, the parties were listed in  alphabetical order to be completely fair), whether you live in a "blue state" or a "red state" (also alphabetical), female or male, religious or non-religious, and no matter the color your skin - we are all Americans that have been given the right to VOTE.  Make sure that you are counted!

 Okay . . . I'm getting off my soap box now.  Have a great weekend and a wonderful election.