There has never been a time more urgent for people to vote than now. We are on the verge of devastation like never before in this lifetime. I am often reminded of this Bible verse:
“You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.”
(Matthew 24:6-13)
It is very hard to function in the world we live in today, with so much pain, hatred, sin, and destruction all around. “The end is not yet” seems contradictory with all the wars being waged—even though we know that God is the master of the universe and nothing will come to pass without his allowance.
Change, on the other hand, is beautiful because it allows us to reconsider all options, good and bad. Voting brings about change and is a free and lawful process in our democratic society. To maintain our democracy, we must vote.
The next presidential election is on Tuesday, November 5. Everyone needs to educate themselves on their federal, state, and local voter registration deadline. You can download the National Voter Registration form, which is available in English and other languages.
We must also remember that voting is a life and death matter. Even so, many people do not make their voices heard. Many have died because of who was voted into office. The January 6th Capitol attack in 2021 is one example, implemented by a man who was unworthy to be the president of the United States.
The results were devastating, and the aftershock has been mind-blowing. How could one man cause so much hate and division? When you think of all the varied excuses as to why some people do not vote, it makes you wonder.
Some people who do not have God in their lives—despite their claims—have an alienated thought process. It results in their hostile feeling towards people who they think are different from them. When they were given the green light to act out their hostile feelings, there was no turning back and the war was on.
Women’s rights, guns, books, churches. Some people even used religion as an excuse for their actions.
Likewise, not voting because of people who you think are different and feel are not qualified has given us a host of unqualified people as leaders, unethical politicians who have this country in a whirlwind of disarray.
Some things never change. Nothing is being accomplished because of the infighting between political parties, and the apathy of the unaligned.
Some of the people who do not vote have varied feelings. I say voting rights education is the answer. We must become more knowledgeable; stop and think how different this world would be if everyone made a concerted effort to vote, not just for their rights but for the rights of every human being.
Instead, here we are. It is very sad that we are close to a civil war and no one seems to have the answer.
We must vote to build our nation. Building a nation means love and freedom for all to live a full life. A beautiful existence filled with good health and prosperity for everyone. We must keep hope alive, based on mutual respect and expectations of positive outcomes. Events and circumstances are not always the way they should be. When we vote, we have the power to change the world.
However, we need trustworthy, positive leaders to vote for. We do not need unworthy Republican or Democrat leaders to destroy our nation—America the beautiful, land of the free.
Dorothy Dempsey is a senior citizen who loves to write. She thanks God for allowing her to share this gift through published articles in The St. Louis American, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Belleville News, St. Louis Catholic Review, and in various books.
