I Voted!

I voted.  I wonder if we take those words for granted sometimes.  This was only a primary election, though there were several important state and county measures on the ballot today.  But regardless of whether it's a primary or general election, or just some other county issue, I wonder if we appreciate the great blessing it is to be able to say "I voted."

Do we appreciate the great sacrifice so many in our nation's history have made to give us this freedom? Do we realize how many millions around the world still don't have that freedom?  Do we know how blessed we are to be given the opportunity to elect our own leaders, help shape our own laws, direct our own nation?  And do we know what a great responsibility it is?

President James Garfield once said, "Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.  If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.  If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation...it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."  

Wow. And that was in 1881!  How much more true is that today?  And it's not just the "national legislature" that this applies to.  It's every election, every amendment, every tax increase, every judge and county official.  We can sit and complain about this or that, but if we aren't out at the polls, exercising this blessed freedom we have, then not only do we not have room to complain, but there may even come a day when that blessed freedom is lost.  

I thank God I was born in this great nation.  The freedoms we enjoy are like nowhere else in the world in so many ways.  And I'm very proud to say that today I took full advantage of those freedoms.  I voted.