Lesson #2989 - VOTE

There are some people effectively gagging others or cutting their tongues out, and you're going to go ahead and do the same to yourself voluntarily?

I know emotions are very strong with this election. But please consider that even if you personally will not be affected by the outcome, other people certainly will. When not enough people voted in the elections two years ago - not four years ago, but two years ago - a ton of laws were able to get through that restricted others' rights, legalized forms of discrimination, helped to cut figurative tongues out, and certainly made other people's lives worse. By not voting this time around, similar results are possible.

If you are not personally affected by any of the racism, the sexism, the bigotry, the hatred that has been pushed by one side, and thus don't feel that not voting will affect you, consider that other people certainly are and maybe you should consider them for a second. So if you do not vote, do not tell me that you are a straight ally. If you do not vote, do not tell me that you are supportive of women's rights. If you do not vote, do not tell me that you are supportive of racial equality. By not voting, you are openly accepting that whatever outcome happens will be something you are willing to live with and accept - you certainly didn't think it was worth speaking up about it - and thus, gay rights and women's rights and African American rights and Hispanic rights are so unimportant to you that you can accept whichever direction they head based on the electoral outcome.

There is no such thing as a perfect candidate. But there are ideals and ideas and principles and other people's lives, and if you are worth anything as a person, you have to be able and you have to be willing to speak up for them. So speak. VOTE.