Russion Proverb

I will link you to this blog post because it is well researched and echoes my feelings almost exactly. Plaase read it. Here are the highlights.

"There is no shame in not knowing; the shame is in not finding out." If the Russians can figure that out, don't you think we ought to be able to too?

So, FIND OUT!

Before you vote, acquaint yourself with the candidates' positions. ALL the candidates' positions (did you even know that there are Third Party Candidates?) ... and not just the major party ones and the sound-bite positions you get from the nightly news:

Barack Obama on the Issues (Democratic Party)

John McCain on the Issues (Republican Party)

Ralph Nader on the Issues (Independent)

Bob Barr on the Issues (Libertarian Party)

Charles O. Baldwin on the Issues (Constitution Party)
(Baldwin's website was not working, so I provide the party's website)

Cynthia McKinney on the Issues (Green Party)

Alan Keyes (American Independent Party)
(I had trouble finding a direct link to Keyes' stances on his website, maybe you'll have better luck)

Read through their stances. Then evaluate where you stand on the issues ... and not just where pundits, the nightly news or your party affiliation says you should stand, but deep down ... where you stand on the issues and then vote for the candidate that most resembles those feelings.

Does Barack Obama really represent your concerns and values?

Does John McCain really represent your concerns and values?

Does a Third Party Candidate better represent your concerns and values?

Don't just be a voter ... be an informed voter. I can respect a voter who votes for the opposition if they vote from an informed place. I can't respect a voter who doesn't think (or worse, doesn't care) about what their vote represents and stands for.

Remember, the Russians have the right idea: "There is no shame in not knowing; the shame is in not finding out."