Dear Christine,
My wife and I have learned to live with the fact that she’s a republican and I’m a democrat years ago. We basically don’t talk about it but this year she told me she’s not voting at all to prove a point that, in her mind, neither candidate is acceptable. While I’m relieved that the woman I love is not voting for Trump, I’m a bit disappointment at her choice to do nothing. I’m keeping my mouth shut because I’m glad Trump is losing her vote but she’s doing the wrong thing, right?
Signed,
Judging in Jackson
Dear Judging,
It sounds like you and your candidate lucked out in your household! Your vote will not be cancelled out by your wife! Your wife has her principles and you have yours. The bottom line is someone will win the election and all the other candidates will lose. Your vote gives you the right to complain, her abstention does not give her that right. Most people complain anyway!
Mike Rowe, host of “Dirty Jobs” addressed a fan’s request to urge fans to get out and vote on November 9, citing that it is a civic duty of all citizens and lots of other celebrities are doing their part to get out the vote. Interestingly, Rose responded on Facebook http://dailycaller.com/2016/08/19/mike-rowe-celebrities-only-encourage-their-fans-to-vote-so-liberals-will-get-elected/.
His answer surprised me, as he compared getting out the vote “like encouraging everyone to buy an AE-15, simply because they have the right to bear arms.” He continues to write that before encouraging anyone to do that, he would need to know more about the individuals. “For instance… Do they have a history of violence? Are they mentally stable? In short, are they responsible citizens?”
The assumption Rowe brings to this discussion is that celebrities encourage citizens to vote for their liberal candidate, not Trump. He points out that “there’s noting virtuous or patriotic about voting just for the sake of voting… the truth is, the country doesn’t need voters who have to be cajoled, enticed or persuaded to cast a ballot. We need voters who wish to participate in the process. ”
Largely, I agree with Rowe’s comments. I would add that I think part of the civic duty to vote is to be informed and not just by watching the echo chambers of liberal and conservative talking heads on Cable TV or social media. It’s important to read original words of each candidate, unfiltered by the spin doctors. Read their speeches, check out their records of their votes, opinions, policies and plans. Is this the sort of candidate that is cut out for the complicated and high pressure job of being leader of the free world, President of the United States.
The backbone of every marriage is mutual respect of each adult deciding what is in integrity for themselves. You have successfully gotten through the campaign with that mutual respect. Keep it up as we vote. Both of you can be right. And soon, the election will be over, and we can get back to our own personal problems!
Christine C. Cantrell, PhD,
Psychologist