It was election day November of 1981 while I was visiting my Grandmother when I learned something about my Grandfather I never knew. Of course Grandma had dinner waiting for me that night that included enough for our entire family, so like always, I brought my appetite.
When I got there my Grandfather was gone, and before I could ask where he was, he came grumbling in. I didn’t really have a chance to ask any questions or even say a word until Grandmother was satisfied I had finished everything she was feeding me, which was like trying to each off a conveyor belt of food without missing a beat.
When I finally came up for air I had a chance to ask Grandpa where he was. “Voting,” he said. And after a mild discussion of issues and candidates, I learned something that has resonated with me ever since.
My Grandfather was passionate about voting … passionate. You see, my Grandfather had never missed a chance to vote, ever! EVER. As a member of our greatest generation, he told me how important it meant to him to “do his patriotic duty” and prepared to school me about why I should take this time of the year very seriously.
Since then, I have voted every opportunity I can. And since then, I have encouraged everyone around me to please take the time to do the same.
We (as voters) struggle with who and what to vote for, issues that might help us, people who promise to help us, tax or no tax, either local, state, or national and everything in between.
What we shouldn’t struggle with is getting out and voting. From the moment early voting is open we have too many opportunities to cast those ballots, either via absentee or at our local polling places.
Now is a very important time in our Country, and the decisions we make “this” political season will affect millions of retiring Baby Boomers and set the stage for the generation that includes our grandchildren to either pay for or pay forward the debts and commitments we have promised to so many.
My grandfather reminded me that too many people have paid the ultimate price and made the ultimate sacrifice to provide a better world for us and for our children. His comments to me about the lack of opportunity to do the same in other countries of the world was another reminder of the tyranny, dictatorships, and evil that billions of people endure, crying for the democracy some in Our Country take for granted.
Most people who know me know that I am a Conservative. Yet through my communication business, whether its radio,our TV show, or even these weekly articles I have tried to be fair and balanced. Our TV show, “In Ohio Country Today” has been recognized by both the Ohio Farmers Union (Liberal) and the Ohio Farm Bureau (Conservative) for our balanced reporting, which I am very proud. So I am not going to say who, or what to vote for, just simply vote!
God Bless You and God Bless America.
Here’s seeing you, in Ohio Country!
