VOTE!
The Corporation for National and Community Service and the National Conference on Citizenship recently released a 2010 issue brief on Civic Life in America: Key Findings on the Civic Health of the Nation. The report identifies five main categories of civic activities important in building a strong sense of community:
- Service: volunteering and working with neighbors on fix community problems
- Participating in Groups: memberships in community groups and associations
- Connecting to Information and Current Events: accessing news media and other sources of information
- Social Connectedness: social interaction with family and community members
- Political Action: voting and attempting to influence local, state, and national political outcomes
Especially important this time of year is voting. The Civic Life report indicated that only 57.1% of the eligible votes nationally voted in the 2008 elections. In Eau Claire in 2008, 78.7% of the eligible voters cast ballots in the national election.
Our country and state are in the midst of historic change. The question is in which direction are we headed. What do you think?
- Is the critical fiscal issue the long-term debt, or the growing income inequalityin the US (unrivaled since 1928) and the impoverishment of our middle class?
- Is passenger rail an innovative step towards wise transportation choices and a growing economy, or a boondoggle and fruitless waste of tax dollars?
- Is government really the problem, or is government the way we as citizens ensure our communities have the fundamental public structures essential for a growing economy and a fair and just society?
- Should we seek to hoard what we have in fear for our future or should we seek to transmit our community and country, not only less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us?
Whatever you think, it is important to vote this election. In Eau Claire you may choose to vote at your designated polling place on November 2, or by absentee ballot. Voter information about registration forms, absentee ballot requests forms, and polling place locations is available online. You may also contact the City Elections office for information 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday, 715-839-4913.
Just do it. Just vote.