November 7, 2006

  • Voting Day


    Voting is a great privilege our
    country.  This year was the 1st year that Ohio voters used the electronic
    voting machines.  I Picture009 sneaked a picture of the where I voted. 

    Some issues that we voted on are:

       Issue 2: Ohio's minimum wage
       Issue 3: Legalized Gambling
       Issue 4: Smoke-Less Ohio
       Issue 5: Smoke-Free

    Issues 2 and 5 passed.  2 was not
    too controversial and neither was 5 for that matter because it passed by 79%. 
    However Issue 5 means no one will be able to smoke in public places, including
    restaurants, bars, etc. 

    Thought 1:
    I guess I'm just naive to the world of politics, but as I've talked about
    before in posts.... "one persons freedoms are in conflict with another" and they
    are in very delicate balance with one and other.  For example the freedom
    to not smoke in ANY bar or restaurant will be considered as hinder some peoples
    freedom too many.  But it will greatly increase     the pursuit of life for the majority who voted for the freedom to breathe
    clean air (smoking kills, it is a fact).  This tension
    makes politics confusing to say the least and at the same time makes democracy simple. 
    Majority rules! Majority's freedoms are the right ones, which leads to a just
    law (or at least it is what allows us to sleep better at night). 

    Thought 2:
    A common approach by most political groups and candidates is to bang the drum     over and over again on
    one major issue.  They tend to find the biggest (or scariest)
    drum to beat too.  For example - national security or national, global, local
    economics. Possibly pro-life, pro-choice, etc.   They use these as trump card
    or vetos that make all other issues less important. The problem I have with that
    tactic is that it's in direct conflict my Messiah teachings.  My teacher
    (rabbi) taught me to love and help the marginalized and rarely is an issue an
    open and shut case.  He taught me to purse life and have it to the full.  He teaches me about freedoms and laws.  He taught me to care about all issues,
    all life, all liberties and all freedoms.  Not just mine.  This makes
    politics much more cumbersome.  And evens the playing field on many of these
    issues. 

    Thoughts 1 and 2 are two completely
    different thoughts, they do relate to one another.  Should I allow
    democracy (majorities' views) or my Messiah's teachings of shalom to guide my decisions about politics, and     ultimately my ability to sleep at night. :)

    After Thought::
    I did vote for issue 5 and believe it is the best resolution to a
    complex problem, but I still understand why smokers are pissed off.  But as
    one of my good friends who is a smoker said,<paraphrased> "alot of smokers act
    like the man is trying to keep them down, but the truth is that they're addicted and
    want to smoke wherever and whenever they want.  They take the I don't care if it's bad for me, or you approach." 
    This is why I voted for issue 5.  I value life, all life.  Health is
    good - life is good.