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Community Corner

VOTE

The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men. ~ Lyndon B. Johnson

In lieu of my regular column which is usually filled with wit and wisdom, I am going to beg shamelessly for about 400 words. I may also cajole and harp as well. You’ve been warned!

I have voted in all but one election since I turned eighteen. The only one I missed was a town election a few years ago when my daughter was hospitalized with a serious illness and I was not in town. Voting, to me, is the single most important thing we do as citizens.

It’s not hard. Seriously. It’s not. All you need to do is pay attention to what’s going on and then, on Election Day, go to the polls and vote. That’s it. It’s not rocket science; it’s not even brain surgery. You’ll do well to remember: no voting, no complaining. At least that’s what I tell people and everyone knows: I’m the Queen of the World (please do not chime in telling me I’m not, for I will mock you cruelly then have the Jester mock you as well.)

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BREAKING NEWS: We (well really me) interrupt this column to remind you to VOTE on November 6, 2012!

We really need to get our national vote percentage above 60 percent. And that’s high. In fact, the highest percentage of turnout was for the 1960 election with a whopping 63.1% (source: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html) Voter turn-out in non-Presidential election years is even more dismal.

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Voting is serious business. It determines our representation in OUR government. I don’t want to hear any nonsense about Electoral College this and term limits that. VOTE. Every chance you get (but only once in each election!). If you vote and engage, you control congress not the other way around. Don’t like what’s happening? Vote for the other guy! Term limits are baked in to our system!

Not sure if I mentioned this yet: VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6, 2012!

Please people, please. Vote. Think of the children!

I’ve taken a light-hearted approach here but voting is serious and should be taken seriously.

People have died so we can vote. People are dying all over the world to secure the right to vote.

It’s more than our civic duty; it’s our responsibility.

Seriously. Vote.

I’m not kidding you.

Vote. Even if you have to vote Republican.

Barbara Mulvey-Welsh is a mother, writer and blogger raising kids and a husband in Plymouth. Check out her blog at "Did I Say That Out Loud?"  Use caution when reading around the family, there is some strong language.

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