To make democracy work, we must be a notion of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.

I voted today. Midterm elections and I went and voted early. The feeling that voting gives me is wonderful. I walked in as an older man walked out and thought I am going to probably go cancel out your vote old man Withers. I love the push of the vote button and knowing that my opinion just was counted and my voice was heard. I grabbed my "I voted" sticker put it on my shirt and proudly walked out the door. Every time I vote I think of what women went though many years ago to give me the right to enter that polling site and let my opinion be known. I feel every time elections come up that I owe it to those women who fought so hard for this basic right to take time out of my day and cast my vote. I also think about the fact that I live in a country that listens to my one small voice and allows me to speak freely about the beliefs and opinions that I feel so passionate about. I feel that voting allows me to participate in discussions and debates with others about the politics that have an impact on my daily life. I also feel that people who do not take this privilege of voting do not get the benefit of complaining about how things are run after the election has passed. Make voting a priority, make your opinions be known, take part in the game. Even if the person you cheered loudest for loses, at least you know you put your two cents into the fight. It is your right and it is your duty. 10.28.10

You might be a martyr if...

Everyone knows this person, and some of us are lucky enough to have many martyrs in our daily lives. This is the person who constantly plays the "poor me" card. Everyone does this once in a while, it is just a human trait. However there are people who live by this, this is their credo. I can't stand these people. These are the people who constantly have to point out what they have done so that they feel their work is recognized. Usually the tasks that they have accomplished are something that people around them do on a daily basis and think nothing of it, but this person wants a pat on the back, or a cookie for doing the same thing. Annoying, super annoying. These fab individuals are also the ones who make a large ruckus when those of us not playing the oh poor me game don't play by their rules. To prove my point I will list some examples and I am certain that we all know someone who fits every scenario. Who wants to play you might be a martyr if:

-You come in early and stay late and accomplish the same amount of work as your co-workers, but you make it a point to tell everyone how many hours you have worked each week, every freakin week. Good for you, you have no life. I like to do my job and get home and enjoy the reason I work. These people always try to make you feel guilty by stating that they are dedicated to the work or the mission at hand. Suck it so am I, and I don't need to prove it any other way than doing a good job at what I do.

-You have more sick days than the year has work days. These people always make snide comments when someone is out sick and even better, when they are ill they come to work and get everyone else sick. Sick days are for when you are sick, use them and realize that germs exist and we don't want yours.

-You haven't taken a vacation in years. Mr. Poor Me is always quick to point out how he hasn't been away from doing his slavery for so long he can't even remember right before you are about to head out the door to catch a plane for some fun in the sun. Even better is when you get back to work these people are always the first to utter the phrase "must be nice" when you are talking about your R & R.

-You look ten years older than you are.

These people don't just exist in the work place though, they are all over the place. The husband who lets everyone think his wife is a controlling bitch and acts like a beaten slave when company is around. Little does everyone know what is really going on when no one is there and daily life is occurring.

So before you go feeling so sorry for this suffering individual, take a step back and look at the big picture. Are they really suffering because of their circumstances or are they creating the circumstances to suffer by.