Election day is today. But how well do you know the candidate you will be voting for? With so many issues we are facing these days ranging from human rights to foreign policies, how do we decide who to vote for?
As responsible citizens and voters, we should NOT be voting FOR or AGAINST any candidate based on their gender, age, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, party list, status quo, popularity, or political dynasty. These prejudices are downright discriminatory, biased, and hinders progress and change.
Before we cast our votes, here are some important questions and issues that we need to ask ourselves and the candidates:
* Human Rights - What will the candidate be doing to protect, preserve, and fight for Women’s Rights, Gender Equality, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Rights?
* Education - What will the candidate be doing to invest in education, raising the bar, mandatory requirements for teachers, training programs for teachers and students, and to foster coaching and mentoring amongst students and teachers.
* Jobs - What will the candidate be doing to tackle the high unemployment rate and what are his / her plans to create jobs?
* Economy - What will the candidate be doing to help all businesses (Small, Medium, Corporations), and to increase direct foreign investments? How is he / she going to help reduce the poverty rate? What are his / her plans to help fuel up the economy (i.e. increasing imports / exports, promoting innovation to stay competitive, etc.)
* Environment - What will the candidate be doing to raise and promote awareness regarding global warming and the use of renewable energy to help protect our environment?
* Foreign Policies - What will the candidate be doing regarding the threat of terrorism and war with other countries?
Take Abraham Lincoln as a great example. Lincoln successfully led the United States through its greatest constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union while ending slavery, and promoting economic and financial modernization.
Today, we should vote for candidates based on their social agenda and platform, not only with what is good for us personally, but also for the society and world at large. Though the candidates’ experience (political, business, etc.) and educational background are important factors to consider before voting, their passion, dedication, commitment, values, ingenuity, and sincerity should outweigh the former.
Voting is a democratic process which enshrines the protection of our freedom, civil liberties, and pursuit of happiness. And as citizens, being able to vote is one of our our civil rights that we should all exercise and use responsibly and wisely. Therefore, if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain!
What about you...what are the issues which matters most to you?
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