Call of Duty: Vote Ops

Hey gang, it’s Travis again. I know it has been a long time since I have actually blogged. It has been a rough couple of months for me. I had the cold straight from H-e-double hockey sticks, a case of pneumonia, a bad tooth that just had to be pulled, and am now dealing with a sinus infection! Loads of fun! Plus, I got lost in this place called Pandaria, but more on all of that on a later day.

Today, I’m not here to wax nostalgic or review a movie. I am here to talk about something much more important. Next Tuesday is election day. Most of us Americans (all our Canadian and other non-US visitors can tune out now if they wish… but HI!!! nonetheless) know this because of the massive amount of mudslinging we have seen on the airwaves. I’m using my own personal Internet soapbox to beg you one and all to get out and vote! But here is the most interesting thing about my agenda… I don’t have one… Much of one anyway… Just read on, please.

So many news websites and blogs have been skewed to tell you who you should vote for and why. In other words… they want to do your thinking for you. They think you, the average American, is either too stupid or too apathetic to do it yourself. The worst part of it is that they aren’t talking about stuff that matters most of the time! There is an ad running here for a candidate running for the House from the area around Augusta saying you should vote for this guy because he likes guns. Personally, I would vote for the guy if I needed a good hunting buddy, but gun loving is not a solid platform for one to earn my vote for political office.

So what should you do? What is my agenda? Educate yourself. We have the most powerful tool for the gathering of information in the history of mankind at our fingertips. In fact, if you are reading this I know you have access to it. Yes, I’m talking about the Internet. Here, you can find out the voting record, the public policy, foreign policy, religious views, education levels, and 40 Meter dash speed for every candidate running for office almost everywhere. This weekend, take the time to look up the candidates… Really look. Just take an hour or so if nothing else and look at where the candidates stand. Then go to the polls on Tuesday and vote what YOU want. Don’t vote for Obama because MSNBC told you that you are a racist if you don’t… Don’t vote for Romney just because Fox News told you that Obama is going to send the country a not-so-good place… Don’t refuse to vote third party because people tell you it is a “wasted vote.”

Hundreds of years ago, our ancestors fought, bled, and even died to give us the right to make our voice heard in our government. If you don’t vote, you are choosing to stay silent and are making all the sacrifices of the past worthless. Just as bad, however, is letting someone speak through you with your vote. Don’t be bullied by family, friends, media, celebrities, the Pope, Mickey Mouse, or your dog to vote a certain way. Take the time. Do the research. Go to the polls. Let your voice be heard. Let freedom ring once again.

*Steps off of soapbox*

P.S. While Travis wrote this and it is completely his thoughts and ideas, I support it 100%. That is why I used the signature that has both of our names.