A recent immigrant celebrated his newly granted citizenship status by showing me the card designating his status. I asked if he was excited about voting in his first election. He told me that he would not be voting because he did not like either candidate. I told him to give his card back.

I must have visited more than 40 countries around the world with many more yet to go. So far, I’ve never encountered a country that even comes close to the US. I’ve met many people that would kill ( and in some of the countries I’ve visited, they have killed) for the right to vote. Our democracy allows us to demonstrate our pleasure or displeasure with our political leaders simply by voting. By not voting is to decrease the value of your vote. Protect the value of your vote by exercising your right.