A week ago on 6/4, I woke up and realized it was the primaries, and I had forgotten to send in my absentee ballot in time.
So, I hauled butt after work and drove 1 1/4 hours to Helena to drop off my ballot at the Lewis and Clark City and County building.
Some might say, "It's only a primary, why bother?" or "That's a long way to drive just for a primary ballot."
There's a _lot_ of reasons why I bother to vote, no matter the drive:
🇺🇲 My great-grandparents left Eastern Europe for the US because life was hard, they were poor, and they didn't feel represented.
🇺🇲 1,000s of people lost their lives to become free of colonial rule and govern themselves forming the US.
🇺🇲 1,000s of people died on D-Day 80 years ago to crush tyranny and keep freedom alive in Europe.
🇺🇲 1,000s of people, journalists, and protestors die every year for freedoms we take for granted in the US.
🇺🇲 Although our system has issues and the candidates might be lousy, it's the system we have and I'll keep trying to improve it one vote at a time.
🇺🇲 I'm a US citizen and it's my duty to participate in my government, no matter what.
🇺🇲 Democracy is not something to be taken for granted. It can be challenged any and every day. Voting is my way of staying vigilant to keep democracy alive in my country.
I was deeply touched by the D-Day anniversary coverage last week. It was especially excellent coverage on the BBC website. If you are looking for motivation to stay engaged in the US elections this year, check them out:
https://bbc.in/4edY0P5
I reflected a lot about the speeches that were made. When you think about your own participation in your government or society, are you worthy of the sacrifice of those D-Day Veterans?
Sacrificing a quarter-tank of gas and a few hours of my time was _nothing_ in comparison to the sacrifices of the D-Day soldiers. It was my honor, truly, to vote last week.
