Thursday, October 13, 2016

Voters ‘get it over with’

Voters ‘get it over with.’  That was the sub-headline of our local newspaper this morning.  The story is about yesterday being the first day to vote in the 2016 election:  People voting early to just get it over with.

The MAIN, BIGGER HEADLINE (in a font/typeface once reserved for presidential assassinations, starting and ending of World Wars, and man walking on the moon)?  GIVING A SHOW (The NBA's Indiana Pacers played an exhibition basketball game last night at the Ford Center). 

Hmmm?

Yesterday I introduced you to a slim but powerful book by Joseph R. Simonetta.  Simonetta  describes himself as a student of life. I like that description. Through his travels, experiences, and studies, he was able to see and understand the cause and effect relationship of life — everything in our world is related and that the proper relationships must be understood and practiced if we are to survive as a species.  From that knowledge, he wrote Seven Words That Can Change the World.

Before presenting his solutions, Simonetta lays out the problems:

Means without Goals
Profit, Power, and Progress
Democracy
Education
Religion
Primitive Beliefs

Carpe Diem Life is a personal tool I’ve created to help me achieve goals — a map to getting from “your are here” to “X marks the treasure.”  Hopefully, someone out there will benefit form it.  Please know that my intent is not to get political.  However, having been sucked into watching several debates and countless hours of evening news, I feel compelled to mention a few highlights from the Simonetta’s chapter on Democracy. 

“Democracy is more than a form of government,” Simonetta writes. “It is a way of life, a formula for just relationships.  The word ‘democracy’ means rule by the people.  Abraham Lincoln described this form of self-government as ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people,’ not government of some people, by some people, for some people.  Democracy supports individual freedom and the fundamental dignity and equality of all persons.”

 Here are a few things Democracy says to us:

Democracy says do not look only to yourself and like-minded people for answers; avail yourself of that which others have to offer, for life is diverse.
Democracy says do not be rigid or inflexible; be open and adaptable, for life is dynamic and ever changing.
Democracy says to make participation inclusive, for life is all encompassing.
Democracy says do not gravitate to extremes; seek moderation, for life requires balance.
Democracy says do not represent only those who have influence; represent all, for life demands justice.
Democracy says do not tamper with they process, for it is your only hope of survival.

“The democratic process represents an appreciation for life, a celebration of diversity, and an acknowledgment of our oneness.” This book was written in 2001, by the way.

It’s been said that the right to vote is the most important right granted to a U.S. citizen, as it is preservative of all other rights. As hard as it sometimes, whether you’re eager to take part or just want to “get it over with,” Democracy says that we all have responsibility in this process. 

Carpe Diem Life,
David Kuhn

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