Voting Decisions

The other day we were having a family discussion on voting, which I've written about before, and my 7 year old daughter asked me if there was ever a time it that I wouldn't vote. I explained to her that no, I would always vote. Not only is it my right, but it's my obligation as a citizen. Sitting home and letting any voting day go by without going to my polling place just doesn't make sense to me.

Then she asked what if I didn't have anyone I wanted to vote for? You see, I've already explained to her that I need to find the candidate that's most closely aligned with my world view. I don't care what the letter is after their name, if they align with me then that's who I'm voting for. That being said, I've already told her that I'm not voting for either of the two presumptive nominees for the Big Two, since I don't think either of them will do a good job.*

So, to answer the question, if I don't find anyone who I feel that I can vote for in a given position, then I'll write in my own name. At least then I know that I've cast a vote for someone that I can agree with. The conversation then got into the mechanics of the voting booth, so I won't bore you with that, but I'm very happy that a girl of 7 is asking about this stuff.

* And don't give me any of that "throwing your vote away" crap. People blindly voting for a party rather than a person is what's got us into this mess. At least I'll be able to sleep at night.

Preventing Tragedy

As some you may know, a 2 year-old girl drowned last week after falling into a septic tank.  Every time I hear the story I feel sick, not only because of what the family is going through, but for the future that little girl will never have.  This has cause many, including the radio station that I listen to during the work week, to ask how this could have been prevented.  Unfortunately, they are asking about septic tank regulations, which is a great idea, but it isn’t the cause for the death of this little girl.  I know many of those that might read this blog will want to roast me for saying this, but it is the mother’s fault that this girl is dead.

Let’s lay it on the line here.  This girl, remember she was only 2, was left outside, along with her four siblings, while the mother was inside the house.  The girl wandered off the property to a neighboring property, which was not inhabited, and fell into the septic tank.  I do not know how old the siblings are, but they were obviously not old enough to be responsible for their sister.  I’m sorry, but the mother should have been out there.  This was a horrible accident and it is possible that it could have been prevented if the septic tank was maintained, inspected, whatever.  It could have DEFINITELY been prevented if the mother had been outside making sure her toddler didn’t wander off of her own property.