Vote

My clock says 12:02 AM. That means the day has come for Americans to voice their opinions, and exercise their right to elect the leader of our country. I feel like it is our duty as citizens, no.. I KNOW it is our duty as citizens to go out and vote. But don't just go voting for whoever's name sounds the best, or the candidate whose skin tone matches yours. Vote for the candidate's platform matches your own.

http://www.calyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/vote.jpg

My friends are all across the board, voting Romney for religious reasons or voting Obama strictly for his openness to certain topics like abortion, birth control and gay marriage. You can vote for whomever you want. If you believe that same sex marriage isn't okay, then vote Yes. If you believe that marriage shouldn't have to be between a man and a woman, vote No. I won't tell which side you should be on, because for me, that was a hard decision.

I wish I could say it were easy, because so many of my friends were firm in their belief that marriage is for everyone. I have friends, who I consider family, who I want to be able to marry moving forward in life. But, I had to look at my faith too. Not because I think the Bible says they can't, or because I think God doesn't love people who are attracted to people of their same sex (because that's not true). It was hard for me because I was shown how the amendment could impact Catholic Churches and Catholic schools in the future. I shown that the amendment will lead to a change in what we teach our children, that parents who are uncomfortable with the change in teaching can't withdraw their children, and that schools, such as Catholic schools can't refuse to teach it--- which would essentially lead to their shutting down. I love my friends, but I also love the idea of children going to Catholic school and being taught the love and mercy of Jesus.

In the end, I know the decision I made makes me feel okay. I know that I voted for what I felt in my heart was right. I voted keeping both sides of the issue in mind. For some, the decision to vote yes or no was easy. There was no thought... but I'm glad I had to think. I'm glad it made me question my stance as Catholic and as someone who believes in equal rights for everyone. I'm glad it made me think, because it made me feel all the better as I sent in my absentee ballot.


Take each of the issues in your heart, and truly think about the impacts your vote could have. Every single one of us has a voice, and every single one of us will be heard today. On this day, we stand as a nation and vote together for the future of our country.

I pray for everyone who is going out to the polls, who know in their hearts what they want to vote, even if their faith or other social pressures are telling them otherwise. I pray that they have the strength to do what is in their hearts, and that God will grant them peace in their decisions, and that He forgives them if it isn't what the Church is calling them to do. I pray for everyone today who casts their vote for the future of our nation, and I pray for our nation as a whole, that today and the next four years brings about positive change and policies that protect and serve all people, and not the selected few.

Always,
H.Eilene.