Beyond the Ballet Box

Everyone these days is talking about the importance of this year's election and voting....which i would have to agree with. Voting is an important right and living in a Democractic Society offers us the freedom to choose our leaders. But i think that we must stress that if all we do is vote then we have not really been a part of the process. It is important to keep our policital leaders and those we vote for accountable to their campaign promises, stump speeches, and to expect them to uphold equality, justice, and human rights both in this country and around the world.

Who we vote for doesn't necessarily mean that we will get what we were promised. Just look at history. Politics is a high stakes game of power, greed, and competition and has in many ways polluted the authenticity of the goverment. But the voice of the people, when loud enough is the most powerful instrument in the political arena. I'm not much for the political game. In fact, i actually hate it. But i am for people and believe that government plays a critical role in social responsibility, human rights, equality, and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

• A democratic society is not the result of good goverment but of great people.....and great people produce great government. Our hope should not be in a political leader or institution. The strength of any nation comes from the will of the people to participate; not in political ideology but in insuring that justice, equality, and freedom are the basic rights of all people so that no matter what the issue or which party is in power, the voice of the people remains the focus and the authority of it's government. In this political season it is essential that we remind our candidates that the people are at the heart of the issue and that whoever wins the race must remember this during their term(s) of service. But the only way that this will happen is if the voice of the people moves beyond the ballet box.

• The future of our nation is not in the hands of Obama or McCain, but in it's citizens ability to keep our politicians in check and force them to remember why they are there. Our nation was built on the backs of those who sacrificed everything to give 'the people' equality, freedom, life, and the pursuit of happiness. It is a rediculous notion to think that we can neglect our duty as citizens of this country and expect good things to happen. Perhaps that is what is meant when Christ said that we are the light of the world.

Peace!