Your Right To Vote

Tomorrow is officially election day in the states. For the past 244 years brave men and women have shed their blood to support and defend their democracy. Given the importance of the upcoming election, I would hope that everyone who is eligible to vote will do so.

Did you know? 57% of countries around the world are democracies, whereas only 13% have an autocratic government, where one person has all the power. There are two types of autocratic governments: a monarchy and a dictatorship. In a Monarchy a Queen or King rules the country and is known as a monarch. 28% of countries have a blend of democracy and autocracy. When you live in a democracy that allows you the right to choose your leaders, it’s sometimes easy to take that freedom and that right to vote for granted.

Covid-19 has certainly created some challenges for this year’s election, but in many ways voting this year is easier than ever. Some say it’s the most important election in modern times. The right to vote is actually mentioned five times in the US constitution which shows the importance that was placed on voting by founding fathers.

Do not take your right to vote for granted. Too many have fought too hard and too long for this valuable right to be wasted. The best way to thank those who have fought to preserve your rights for the last 244 years is to stand up and make sure your vote is counted.

Something to Think About
The US averages about 57% voter turnout, while Canada averages about 77% turnout. Who are the top three countries with voter turnout? Belgium is #1 with 87% turnout, Sweden is #2 with 82%, and #2 is South Korea with 78%.

Weekly Challenge
Don’t forget to vote and encourage others to vote as well.

Words of Wisdom
The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear. – Aung San Suu Kyi

May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to do what is right. – Peter Marshall

We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. – William Faulkner

Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity. – Herbert Hoover

Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else. – Epictetus