As a story in today’s Free Press reminds us, Monday is the last day to register if you want to vote in the August 5th primary election. And who (especially in Farmington) doesn’t want to do that?
You can find a form to register on-line by going to http://www.michigan.gov/sos and selecting “Registering to vote” from the Forms drop-down menu. Or stop by City Hall in Farmington or Farmington Hills, as well as any Secretary of State’s office. But please do register and cast your ballot.
There are plenty of reasons to vote in any election, but I am especially reminded today that the right to vote is precious. Today, a dark hearse drove through Downtown Farmington with an escort of law enforcement officers on motorcycles and in squad cars. The procession ended at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, where the body of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton will lie in state until his funeral on Tuesday. Sgt. Hilton died in combat in Afghanistan and also devoted his life to public service as a Lathrup Village police officer.
In light of the sacrifices men and women make every day on front lines here and around the world on our behalf, not to mention what their families go through, voting seems like the very least we can do.
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Michigan Woman Blogger
1 Comment
July 7, 2008 at 10:54 am
Joni, you are absolutely correct when you say voting is a precious right. This right has been secured by the blood of many brave Americans.
Much ado is made about low voter turnout but that focuses attention on the wrong problem. If you don’t have the motivation to spend a few minutes casting a vote on Election Day, you certainly don’t have the motivation to educate yourself on the candidates. If everything you know about a candidate comes from a handful of television ads, stay home. In addition, your responsibility doesn’t end with knowing a candidate’s positions on the issues. Understanding the Constitution and the proper, limited role of government in society should be prerequisites. Of course it that was the case, McCain and Obama would never have made it past the primaries.
Voting, like all rights, comes with responsibilities. If you wish to exercise your right, take the responsibility to educate yourself.
Leave a Reply