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From the beginning, I have tried to keep HeartWood politically neutral, partly as a haven from all the discord around us, and partly because plenty of other outlets exist for expressing my political views, if I wish to do so. I'm not about to change course here, but I do want to remind readers that we have an important midterm election coming up next week. I encourage you to vote! In case you need more encouragement, here are some other people's thoughts on voting and democracy. Voting is like alchemy—taking an abstract value and breathing life into it. Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world. -- Sharon Salzberg  Every election is determined by the people who show up. -- Larry Sabato  Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters. -- Abraham Lincoln  Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt  Voting is a civic sacrament—the highest responsibility we have as Americans. -- Christine Pelosi  As I think of it, democracy isn't like a Sunday suit to be brought out and worn only for parades. It's the kind of a life a decent man leads, it's something to live for and to die for. -- Dalton Trumbo  Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt  Democracy is the only system capable of reflecting the humanist premise of equilibrium or balance. The key to its secret is the involvement of the citizen. -- John Ralston Saul  Not voting is disrespecting the best of what this nation stands for. -- Thomas Hauser  Deliberation and debate is the way you stir the soul of our democracy. -- Jesse Jackson  Voting is the foundational act that breathes life into the principle of the consent of the governed. -- DeForest Soaries 
18 Comments
Laura Bailey
10/31/2018 07:10:37 am
Thank you for this. I'm going to tweet these. I just watched a documentary on FDR, and I love that you included quotes from him.
Nan
10/31/2018 07:38:07 am
Thanks for sharing them, Laura!
Emily Everett
10/31/2018 07:36:28 am
Amen, sister! I love voting so much I won't even do absentee. Even after all these years, it still is a moving experience to mark that ballot.
Nan
10/31/2018 07:39:14 am
I have to say that even voting absentee, which we've done in recent years, is a moving--and sobering--experience.
Rachel
10/31/2018 07:44:27 am
Thanks for this Nancy!
Nan
10/31/2018 09:02:24 am
My pleasure!
Nan
10/31/2018 09:04:20 am
❤❤❤
Kathleen OGorman
10/31/2018 10:14:52 am
Hear, hear!
Nan
10/31/2018 11:12:13 am
On the same subject, Roxanne Gay has an excellent piece about voting in today's NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/opinion/midterm-elections-voters-disillusioned.html?emc=edit_th_181031&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=2809821031
Val Schott
10/31/2018 08:03:58 pm
Great words of wisdom. If anyone needs any help as to who to vote for, I suggest you look at the recent editorial comment by Thomas Friedman in the New York Times. He said to, paraphrased, vote for a Democrat, canvass for Democrats, raise money for Democrats, and take someone to the voting booth to also vote for Democrats to save our country from the mess we fine ourselves in at the moment.
Susan Stec
10/31/2018 08:37:42 pm
Amen!
Olive Ann Curl
11/2/2018 04:14:45 am
Bravo for your encouragement to us all! I especially love the quote by Abraham Lincoln!
Nan
11/2/2018 07:25:58 am
Me too, Olive Ann. 11/3/2018 11:35:31 am
Quotes perfect for the upcoming election. All making the point to get out there (or like I, sit at my kitchen counter) and vote!. Perhaps because I am originally from the Land of Lincoln (Illinois), old Abe's quote resonated with me and made me giggle too. I always remember the women who fought and sacrificed for the right to vote. We are doing them a disservice if we don't exercise that right.
Nan
11/4/2018 06:59:48 am
Well said, Janet. So many have fought for the right to vote. Let's not take it lightly.
Kay Myers
11/3/2018 06:23:36 pm
My favorite was Roosevelt’s! We try and try to get people to educate themselves on the real issues, and ignore the scare tactics used in social media memes!! We voted early this yeaaar, and are holding our breath for our friend running for state senate.
Nan
11/4/2018 07:01:59 am
We've been voting early the past few years, too. I like being able to take my time, even if I already know exactly how I'm voting. We're holding our breath on several races, too. Good luck to your friend! Leave a Reply. |
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Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, a former journalist, writes memoir and personal essays, makes collages and likes to play outside. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, Ray. Archives
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