|
The Road Less Traveled
Improving Voter Turn Out on November 7, 2006
The Impressive Numbers So Far:
November 2, 2004
120 million people turned out to vote
The best showing since 1968
13 million were first-time voters
21 million were under the age of 30
Statistics offered by the League of
Women Voters
EDITORIAL
by Valerie Lunden M.A.
The Rush-Hour Commute
List them, this is your chance! List those
three political issues that
have created a positive impact in your life during
the last four years. What
are they?
Could it be that your bank accounts
are bulging? Is this world really safer? Is there less
violence in your local neighborhood?
How about the air we breath, is it cleaner? What
about the company you work
for, is it more solvent and profitable? Is your job
secure?
No matter what happens next, a trip to the polls is a
moment in time which can impact
the immediate future and well beyond. Of
course it cannot be compared to a trip to Disneyland or
the grocery store, but it certainly may effect what
groceries cost and how much is spent during a fun
day with your family. Believe it or
not, the decisions
made at the polling booth even effect our daily
commute in
rush-hour traffic, how we get anywhere, and how much
we spend on travel. Doesn't it seem odd how gas prices
always go down just before a major election?
Voting doesn't require solid political
convictions.
Whoever will be chosen during the final count-up
(or count down) will be making all of those
important political
decisions for us. For now the only thing that
matters is WHEN the vote is
cast.
Again, it is when we vote that is
critical. For each election there is only one
window of
opportunity to impact what happens next. For many
of us, this
opportunity happens again on November 7th.
Finally, as you cast your vote, consider your commute
to the polling station. This may be the only
commute where sitting in rush hour traffic makes
perfect sense.
HISTORY - Why Suffrage?
Suffrage (from the Latin suffragium,
meaning
"vote") is the civil right to vote, or the exercise
of that right.
Historically, many groups have been excluded from
the right to vote. However, the legitimacy of
democratic government is usually considered to
derive primarily from universal suffrage.
Source: Free Encyclopedia
2006 Voter Information Guide
Excalober Sword Points
The Right to Vote: Granted and Earned
In New Zealand by 1893
Championed for ALL women by the Women's Christian
Temperance Union and led by Kate Sheppard.
In Great Britain by 1918
Championed for ALL women
by Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the Women's Social
and Political Union
In the United States by 1920
Championed for ALL
women by Alice Paul, a prominent suffragist and
leader of the American National Women's Party.
The right to vote was secured by the 19th Amendment
of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Learn more about The League of Women Voters
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Valerie Lunden is the writer of exceptional fiction
and
inspiration. Her accomplishments and credits include
a Master's degree in
Creative Writing and co-author of Inspiration to
Realization II (available on Amazon.com), which
features a selection
of inspirational stories written by
women for women. Valerie
is also the
Editor of Performance News, a newsletter which
strives to encourage motivation and
inspiration, as well as promoting peace and love
within our society.
Excalibur
The name given to that ancient,
magical sword received by Arthur, the future King of
England from the
Lady of the Lake.
Historically this sword is perceived as a symbol and
the weapon of choice for heroes.
Throughout the
ages, the sword has represented justice, honor and
truth,
the themes embodied by this
newsletter.
Visit Bright Performance. Click here!
|
Bright Performance
|
