More about rights

It is my right to cover myself in maple syrup and run laps around my house screaming at 4:00 in the morning. It is a freedom of expression and property rights that is not a privilege that can be granted or taken away. But, obviously because I have the right to do something doesn't make that something right to do. If I chose to exercise that particular right, it would strain my marriage and my neighbors would almost surely exercise their rights to think I am a jackmunch. Simple, right?

Voting is also a freedom of expression, and if you have something at stake, it is logical for you to enjoy the use of that freedom (unlike the aforementioned use of it). But when you vote, PLEASE KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE VOTING ON! This means that if you didn't research any of the issues and the city council candidate's positions on them, SERIOUSLY CONSIDER NOT VOTING for anyone in that particular race. You have certainly heard something like, "We should always vote, because there are some countries in which the citizens have no say in what the government does", but by casting votes in ignorance, you are making this country more, not less, of a place where the best leaders are chosen by the governed. You are not adding anything to democracy by blindly choosing a name and your ignorant vote doesn't help the oppressed people in Zimbabwe.

Also, if you're a partisan type, please consider not going down the ballot and selecting entirely "R"'s or entirely "D"'s. One reason we have been saddled with so many unprincipled politicians is because we have so many unprincipled voters who refuse to hold them accountable. Why should either party bother with trotting out representative candidates when the party faithful will vote for whoever gets the endorsement, no matter how far from the ideals the candidates stray?

Vote if you must tomorrow, but for the love of all that is good, let's have a democratic and not a random process decide who our elected officials will be.