Civic Duty

We did our civic duty today and voted in the town election. We didn't vote for any people -- just the two tax-increase ballot questions. The strange thing about local elections is that despite their proximity we know very little about the candidates. Our lack of knowledge about our neighbors who wish to be in local politics prevents us from voting for anybody (we also never vote for those who run unopposed).

Last fall's elections in Iraq inspired us tremendously to go out and exercise our right to vote. If the Iraqi people can risk life and limb to vote, literally, then we can find 20 minutes in our day to stop by the local elementary school and fill out (some of)the ballot. We are lazy in our exercise of democracy in this country and at this present moment in time we can't afford to be.