The importance of voting is not only because it is a right guaranteed by our constitution, but it is also our responsibility to ourselves, our family and our neighbors.
Each and every citizen is responsible for what our communities and our nation become. Our country – referred to colloquially as “a shining beacon of light” – still has hope and still holds tight to a promise of encouragement and inspiration for its citizens, but will not continue to be so unless its inhabitants fulfill their responsibility, and exercise their right to vote.
Simply being a warrior of the rhetoric found on social media is not a replacement for the in-depth research of candidates and issues needed to fulfill this awesome right and oh-so-important responsibility. If we, as residents of Southeast Texas, are going to be a part of the change necessary for our country, we first have to change what we do in our community, and how we do it. What every registered voter needs to do is think about the issues that are important to them, and the candidate, not the party, they believe will best represent their interest and that of the community, set down their phones and computers, and go vote.
Early voting began on Monday, Oct. 24, and will continue through Friday, Nov. 4. Your final chance to exercise your right, and fulfill your responsibility, is on Tuesday, Nov. 8
Those we choose to elect are, perhaps, more important than ever before. If you do not investigate the candidates, and instead elect people just on their party affiliation, Republican or Democrat, you might well drive the final nail in our collective coffin.
We must choose who will best serve our community first. Few candidates, just as the political parties, will ever completely reflect our own individual beliefs and desires. But, those who possess the experience and commitment to make the change that is so desperately needed in our communities need your support.
Honesty and integrity are not exclusive to any political party. It is the belief of the publisher of The Examiner newspaper that the endorsements of this paper for the November 2022 election reflect candidates from both parties, who I believe have the best interests of our community at heart.