The Fourth of July is a day when we collectively celebrate the birth of the United States. Independence Day is a uniquely American Holiday. It marks our battle and subsequent victory over foreign oppressors, but more importantly, it marks the birth of a fledgling experiment - one we call Democracy. As such, politicians should use this day to set aside partisan politics for the sake of a higher, more unifying celebration. And so I will join that call - with a slight twist.
I have come to believe that the single most patriotic act that most Americans can do in their lifetimes is to vote. While the blogs are filled with page after page of thoughtful pieces about democracy under assault or the meaninglessness of participating in an election because the other side will steal votes - I reject the idea that going to the polls is a lost cause. In fact, I'm counting on just the opposite.
I am challenging every American who reads this note to commit to two things: registering 5 friends with their boards of elections, and then following through to make sure those five new voters get to the polls. Notice that I did not say what political party they should register for, nor whom they should vote for - just that our goal should be increased participation -to the highest percentage ever. That's a real call to patriotism.
At a time when there are 130,000- thousand U.S. military personnel fighting and dying in Iraq under the banner of creating a democracy there, I ask all Americans to at least participate in their democracy here. Rigged voting machines, manipulation of the rules and the rest be damned. I hope to create a movement to celebrate the Fourth of July and increase voter participation at the same time. It seems more than appropriate. It's patriotic! It's Democratic! It's American!
Here are some links to register in New York:
Register to Vote:
Download: http://www.elections.state.ny.us/downloa d/voting/voteform.pdf
Complete Online: http://www.elections.state.ny.us/downloa d/voting/voteform_enterable.pdfFind Your Local Board of Elections:
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/portal/ page?_pageid=153,42096,153_42424:153_424 28&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTALAbsentee Voting:
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/downloa d/voting/absentee.pdf
Overseas Military Voting: http://www.fvap.gov/Project Vote Smart:
http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htmLeague of Women Voters:
http://www.lwvorg//AM/Template.cfm?Secti onfiltered=HomeFederal Election Commission:
http://www.fec.gov
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