Vote early and often

If you are a United States citizen, this is an appeal to you to cast your vote for the next president come November. You have a civic duty that also happens to be a precious privilege bought with blood. Don’t piss on that just because you deem yourself better than any of the candidates. If you have the energy to complain about politics, you have the energy to do your homework and go vote. You’re in the game whether you want to be or not. So make a play.

You also hold the future in your hands. You may feel like just a little snowflake, but millions of snowflakes can make a mighty avalanche. On election day, you are the president. Your family, friends, and future generations are depending on you to make a wise decision. If you punt on that decision, you’re no better than the politicians you criticize. Go vote and be the kind of leader you want your leaders to be.

Vote early and often. I don’t mean by casting a ballot. I mean by your daily acts of citizenship. It is far too easy to complain about politics and criticize politicians while being lousy citizens ourselves.

Vote for your country–and by that I mean vote for your neighbors–each day by how you act like the best kind of neighbor.

Paying your taxes doesn’t count. You don’t have a choice.

I’ll give you a few examples.

Help your elderly neighbor take her garbage to the curb.

Pick up litter you find on the sidewalk.

Take a meal to someone who is shut in.

Participate in the activities of your house of worship.

Resolve to be cheerful, courteous, kind, and patient in lines and on the road.

Be curious. Read widely to understand all sides of an issue. Facebook doesn’t count. Find the best reporting and opinions available and take them all in.

When you encounter someone whose politics are in opposition to your own, ask questions and listen to the answers. Don’t try to change their minds. Just listen.

Volunteer. And when I say “volunteer,” I mean something that is high-touch with people who are different from you.

Better yet, instead of volunteering seek out learning opportunities instead. If a culture or issue or people group seem scary and strange to you, resolve to immerse yourself as a visitor. Seek to learn everything you can for understanding.

I’m sure you can think of many other ideas.

Every time you do something for your community or your neighbors, you vote. Every time you do something for your opponents or strangers, you vote. These are acts of citizenship that cast your support for the kind of country you want America to be.

Another way to say it: America will only be the country you want it to be when you make it the way you want it to be. No politician can do that for you. It’s up to you to make it so.

So vote early and often this election. Don’t just talk about the issues. Do something about them by the actions you take each day. Don’t count on electing someone who will make America great. It’s up to you to make America great by being a great citizen, a great neighbor. Great citizens and great neighbors do small–but great–things each day for their communities.

Perhaps what the candidates and their parties say about each other in this election will be ugly. So why not resolve that you will be beautiful? Civil? Fair? Kind? Patient? Understanding? Civics is not on them. It’s on you.

The only vote that counts is your vote. The only platform that matters is your platform. The only promises you can do anything about are the promises you make and meet.

Would you vote for you?