As the primaries are upon us, I find myself thinking about our election process. For many, politics is a personal choice. It is considered the perfect example of the democratic process. A fair and honest collection and count of individual votes made in individual booths by individuals. But, really, is it?

When you vote…

Do you vote for your team or the best person for the job?

Do you vote for the most popular person or do you vote for the most intelligent person?

Do you vote for the person who looks respectable or do you vote for the person who has earned your respect?

Do you vote according to your standards or the standards of your peers or party?

Do you do your own research on the candidates or do you rely on commercials, catch phrases, and/or corporate media to make your decisions for you?

Does your vote have your personal stamp of approval or does it simply have the stamp of approval of your party?

Before you vote, this year, take some time to ask yourself these questions and one last vital question:

Are you electing someone according to your conscience or are you selecting someone according to someone else’s agenda and/or persuasion?

Andrea Anderson lives in Lakeport.

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