Welcome to the Slaughterhouse: Why we vote!

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." George Washington

Welcome to the Slaughterhouse, America!!

By Nicholas Meyeres

Abraham Lincoln once cautioned, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God cannot retain it." And though voting, as some may argue, may not be afforded the mantel of a right as perceived in our own Constitution, it most certainly is our freedom as Americans; if not our obligation, responsibility, and duty. It is in fact one of several allowances that accompany American citizenship— the freedom and responsibility of voting. Voting is one of those important privileges we as Americans cherish. Although you may not be able to force a person to vote during any election season, it is their freedom to be afforded the opportunity all the same…. This freedom of all Americans.

Did you realize in 1797 that John Adams succeeded George Washington without a single shot fired, or the title inherited through family ties, or one ounce of blood shed? This was the first time in the history of the entire world where such an act occurred, and it was indeed the birth of our modern day world view of Democracy. It was the dawn of one of the greatest tenants any nation can be granted, and it was exclusively ours for a time. We dare not let that freedom die. We dare not let liberty down.



For, if you choose not to vote, you allow others the luxury of taking from you one of your fundamental expressions as freedom-loving Americans. And then, that single act of Democracy-in-action over two hundred years ago would have all been in vain.
And please, don’t for one second think your vote does not count. It does; in theory, in action, with liberty and justice for all— your vote counts. After all, as Ralph Waldow Emerson said, “Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: 'Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.”



Republican, Democrat, Independent, or other: Vote your conscience in every election, and let freedom ring! Let freedom ring loud and strong, and let her never cease to shine as brightly as she does this day and forever.