We're doing it for Graham

On Tuesday, February 5, many of you will have the opportunity to vote in the presidential primaries. Based on who has told us that they are visiting this blog, those of you in Alabama, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York will each have decisions to make on February 5. Those of you in DC, Maryland, and Virginia will vote on February 12, and Texas will make its voice heard on March 4.

Based on discussions with friends and family, its clear that not everyone plans to vote in the primaries (or the general election). You're not alone. Based on data found online at George Mason University, turnout in presidential turnout is very low. Nationally, based on the GMU numbers, it looks like about 10 percent of eligible voters participated in the primaries in 2004. 90 percent of eligible voters didn't participate. With a population of about 203 million eligible voters in the U.S., that means that only about 20 million people participated in selecting George Bush and John Kerry as the major party presidential nominees in 2004. One source says that 61 million votes were cast in the most recent American Idol finale.

Your vote counts. And your vote matters.

There are lots of big issues facing our country. In addition to what you see on the news every night, we are facing fundamental choices with respect to how the federal government is going to continue to afford the increasing costs of Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid as baby boomers continue to retire. (more on that here) Moreover, each president chooses members of the Supreme Court, appoints thousands of people to important roles in our government (including judges), issues numerous executive orders, and makes many other decisions. Each decision has an impact on our country and our future.

If you don't know which of the candidates set of beliefs most closely resembles your own, check out the Select Smart 2008 Presidential Candidate Selector (click here). I can't vouch for its accuracy, but based on what we know it did a good job of identifying the candidates that most closely resembled our views of the world. You can also check out www.PolitiFact.com, which is trying to keep everyone honest. We've found to be a useful resource.

You have the power to influence the process. Corporations, political action committees, and people with lots of money (along with lots of people who contribute small amounts of money) influence the process, but corporations and political action committees don't vote. Only people vote. And every vote impacts our future. Even if your candidate doesn't win, your vote registers your opinion and impacts the process.

Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for your neighbors. Do it for your country.

We're going to do it for Graham.

On the lighter side check out thie funny video on voting (All Hail Salazar!) :

Note: If you receive this via email, you might need to visit http://www.thehollandsintx.blogspot.com/ to view the above video.

One more thing: Negative campaigning reduces voter turnout, which allows politicians to focus their efforts on the people who are most likely to show up -- their most ardent supporters. We all know this, but we can't let it impact what we do on election day. Even if you have to hold your nose while you do it, vote. Your voice matters.