Wanted: apathy free zone

When I started this blog, I promised myself I would veer away from political topics. In a season overwhelmed with pundits shouting from rooftops, I wanted to stay out of the fray. But here I am assuming the soap box position.

Not to worry. If you have already done your due diligence and have adopted an educated stance, there’s no need to keep on reading. On the other hand, if you’re boasting, “I hate politics.” Or being coy, “I probably won’t vote.” Then brace yourself for a full frontal assault.

This. Is. Not. A. Time. To. Be. Apathetic.

With the issues facing our country, apathy is a four letter word. It’s an insult to the red, white and blue. It’s a poor excuse for being lazy. It’s a sad, silly façade to hide behind.

Grow some conviction.

There is absolutely no excuse for being uninformed. Educational resources today are widely available and mostly free. Cable TV offers a multitude of news related programs. If you don’t have cable, most shows can be viewed after broadcasting on the station’s Web site.

The Internet brings the world to your fingertips offering everything you ever wanted to know about anything. Did you know that Google offers a service where you can choose a topic and they will send you an email every time a story related to that topic appears on the Web? Homework made easy.

Politicians, historians, economists, etc. will be visiting every part of the country between now and November. Go hear what the have to say. Ask questions. Heck, even demand that they substantiate their views.

If you find the myriad of issues too overwhelming, then pick one or two that really resonate with you and become immersed in knowing all that you can. There are so many to choose from: war, economy, education, environment, budget deficit, health care, global relations. What do you believe in? What do you want to believe in again?

Obviously, in my own partisan way, I’m hoping that by studying the issues, you will come around to choosing my candidate. But the bigger picture here is that you have exercised your right to choose. You have taken advantage of the freedom to be informed. To express your opinion. To cast a vote.

In the current fragile state of our country, indifference is inexcusable.