An Essay on "Exercising Your Right, Enjoying Your Power"

The early voting started October 13, 2008, and a number of people who have already made up their minds went to various locations to cast their votes. To those who are still undecided, I hope this piece will help you make your decision. Voting is our right, and our votes give us power. When we decide not to practice our rights, that’s when we lose our power. When we lose our power, then we lose our collective voice.

I heard people saying they don’t bother going to the polls because they only have one vote, and it won’t make much difference. But can you imagine if millions think the same way? That’s millions of strong voices not heard and therefore, wasted. There are some who are not happy with what is happening to this country, especially the economy. I said some, because we all know that not everyone suffered. There are a selected few that benefited from the miseries of the majority. We hope we could learn from it.

We need to think hard and find answers within ourselves. I agree that our country could lose a lot if we vote for the wrong person. But we won’t know if they are right or wrong for the position until they have served anyway. The important thing is to know how you feel about each respective party’s platforms. Do you agree with them? Do you feel they serve the best interest of the majority? For while the presidency is a very important position, having the Executive Power, we all know that no one person, not even a President of the United States can make any decisions affecting the lives of citizens without the approval of the Legislative Body consisting of the Congress and the Senate. That is why it is very important that we stay in contact with our congressmen and senators, so they know what we expect from them. When necessary, we also have the Judiciary.

The Constitution of the United States protects its citizens, not only the President. It is important that we get involved in the political process. Through our active participation, we will learn our rights as citizens of this country. We will learn that the presidency is a very powerful position, but the powers of the President are also limited. We cannot give credit or blame one person for the success or failure of his/her administration. Let us not dwell on what could have been. We can only move forward.

I cannot tell you what to do, for that’s what democracy is all about, everyone can exercise options available to them. But I am telling myself…GO cast your vote. For when I cast my vote, I know that I am exercising my right with pride, am keeping my self respect, and therefore, that I am able to keep my personal integrity. When I cast my vote based on what is good for our country, I know that I am honoring our forefathers, who fought so hard, even paying with their lives, just so we can enjoy what we have now. Although I can only be loyal to the ideals and principles that I could respect and believe in, I also know that sometimes we need to put our personal beliefs aside to serve the best interest of everyone. We cannot afford to vote for someone out of spite, for in the end, it is our country that will suffer. If we seek deeper inside our minds, hearts, and souls, I am sure we will find the answer that we can live with.

Therefore, to help our decision making, we need to look back and compare what each party has done to and for this country. Now, it’s your turn to think and decide for yourselves. But whatever you decide, just make sure that you cast your vote this coming election on November 4, 2008. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents have equal rights. The only question is: do all of them exercise their right to vote with the same passion?

Remember that WE HAVE THE POWER! Let’s use it wisely and consistently.

By Jelly R. Carandang

Jelly Carandang @ Let's Visit the Philippines 2008