Soon it will be election day.  It’s an off-year nationally one might think, so why bother?

Easy.  Your vote is YOUR voice in YOUR community. This year is a more local focus….supervisors, commissioners, borough council members, mayors, city councils — just depends on where you live as to what and who you are voting for.

Local candidates are now more seriously making the rounds.  They will pop up spiffed and shined to check out community events, civic associations, and so on and so forth.  Yes, be warned, literal baby-kissing may ensue.

They may even come door-knocking. Where I live (in my opinion)  they are inconsistent at best on the door-knocking, or if they do show and you do vote for them, often you do not hear from them ever again, after that.

Be informed.  And don’t just vote for someone because they may share the political party you are told you should vote for.  Why?  Because on a local level, that is NOT what matters.  What matters is who they are, and what they stand for, and if you find them passably believable.  On the local level, you should vote the PERSON, not the PARTY. Because trust me, in spite of what they say, it has been my long standing belief that on a local level, political parties will often make deals with each other, and well, how do you feel about that?

I believe in balance.  Saying that, I do not think you have balance necessarily if one group of the same people (which is NOT the same as the same party) is in control for too long.

I believe in term limits.  We need to get some of those. It’s time to curb political monopolies.

Don’t be afraid of checking out the new kids on the block, but make sure you understand what they are truly about.  Also check out WHO endorses them, WHO backs them, WHO gives them campaign donations, and WHO they hang out with politically.  The more independent, the better in my humble opinion.

And in as far as incumbents you think may have been around long enough? Simple motto: when in doubt, vote ’em out.

The sanctity of the voting booth is for you alone, so vote your heart and conscience always.

And above all else, vote.  Your individual power of the vote is a powerful voice. Be the change you seek. Take back the power in your communities. Vote.