On Voting

Probably the most important and consequential act we perform in this country is casting our votes in our elections. Americans seem to agree as over 155 million, a new record, voted in 2020. Voting is our right, our obligation and a privilege that must be seriously contemplated and responsibly exercised. It is not something we do casually on a Tuesday afternoon if we have time, nor is it something we sell to the highest bidder, and it should not be something that can be easily manipulated for the benefit of one party or the other. Our votes determine the state of the country, the laws under which we labor and the future direction of the nation. It is a right and a duty and access to voting should be possible for all eligible U.S. citizens, but not to residents who have not yet declared their loyalty to the state and not to those whose presence here is in contravention of our immigration laws. It is incumbent on our authorities to ensure that all who can legitimately vote are indeed able to do so – – – and all others are not. 

I don’t know if voting policy changes contemplated by several states are unfair or politically motivated. Of course, one would hope not. Clearly there is room for improvement in many electoral areas and such improvements should be carefully studied, clearly communicated and quickly adopted. Absentee ballots seem most vulnerable to abuse and require close attention and careful, and selective, dissemination. Personally, I prefer to err on the side legitimacy rather than convenience. Millions who patiently line up for hours to vote seem to agree that an accurate and legitimate vote is worth some inconvenience. 

– – – Just the view of a common man