In New Hampshire, we host the first in the nation presidential primary. By now, no doubt you’ve heard the pundits analyzing every angle (at least for those of you who live in the United States).
After voting yesterday, I got on a flight to Texas to attend the annual Profiles International conference in San Antonio. The few people I talked with at the hotel here weren’t that interested. They knew it was happening but weren’t all that wrapped up in it.
Totally understandable. Politics can be maddening.
I had planned to include a picture of Grace burying her head, indicative of the sentiment of how many people feel about the process (but I’m having trouble accessing the pictures from my iPad while traveling, will have to work on that!). With historical low voter turnout in our nation’s elections, it reflects the apathy of citizens. Or perhaps the feeling that one vote doesn’t matter.
I disagree. Romney won by eight votes in the Iowa caucus. Every vote does count. And I don’t think we should waste the opportunity to be a part of the process, even if it’s a frustrating one.
In several commentaries and interviews I listened to prior to yesterday’s day of decision, voters talked about selecting the candidate they felt was most electable rather than the candidate they were most aligned with. It was a bit disheartening to me that a person felt they would be wasting a vote by choosing the candidate of their choice.
In our workplaces, employees often remain silent, too. We should look for ways to encourage active engagement in the things that matter. When we don’t speak up, we give away our power to make things better or prevent an issue we see brewing.
Use your voice. Speak up. Share your ideas with your co-workers. Vote when your primary is held. And be true to what you believe.
