Political Involvement

Usually, I don't get involved in politics. It's never really interested me all that much. Granted, I strongly believe in my duty to educate myself on local, state and national candidates running for office and to cast my vote come election day. But I've never done much more than minimal involvement.

This year was different, at least with one local election issue. Our schools - schools I attended as a child - were hurting financially due to state budget cuts. As Jason and I learned more about the situation, it became apparent that things would only grow worse without local property tax support. No, we really didn't want to pay more out of our own pocket, but when it comes to education we just can't say no.

So we signed on to make phone calls, pop a yard sign in front of our house, write a letter to the editor and ask our friends to support the levy. This also gave me the opportunity to get the kids involved. We talked about how the schools needed more money for teachers, classes, languages and computers. We talked about how these were the same schools they would be attending in a few years - or next year for Natalie. They marched in the parade with me handing out coloring sheets and cheered "vote yes" loudly when they helped me at the polls. (No secret that day how I voted!)

I'm not sure how much the kids took with them during this process, but I'm hopeful some of it sank it. Hopefully they'll learn how blessed we are to have the government and rights that we do. Hopefully they'll develop more of an interest in politics than their mother has. Hopeful they'll learn to stand up for something they believe in.

Until then, at least they've got a new cheer:

P.S. The levy passed. Hooray!