Happy Independence Day

I spent the morning celebrating the freedom we enjoy in this great nation with our town.  It was a perfect day with children running and playing games, entertainment by home-grown talent, hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy,  a parade and neighbors just spending time together.  This is the America I love!

My son posted the following poem as his status on Facebook today.  Reading it reminded me of these two pictures from our parade this morning.  I thought of how much we owe to our veterans and how our future depends on our youth.

That Ragged Old Flag!

Written by Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square.

On a park bench an old man was sitting there.

I said, "Your old Court House is kinda run down."

He said, "No, it will do for our little town."

I said, "Your old flag Pole is leaning a little bit.

And that's a ragged old Flag you've got hanging on it."

He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down

"Is the first time that you've been to our little town?"

"Well," he said, "I don't like to brag,

But we're kinda proud of that ragged old Flag.

You see, we got a little hole in the Flag there,

When Washington took it across the Delaware.

And it got powder burns, the night Francis Scott Key,

Sat watching it, writing 'Oh, Say, Can You See.'

And it got a bad rip at New Orleans,

When Packingham and Jackson took it to the scene

And, it almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas Flag

But she waved on through

She got cut with a sword at Chancerville,

And she got cut again at Shilo Hill

There was Robert E. Lee, Bouregard and Bragg

The South wind blew hard on that Old Ragged Flag

On Flanders Field in World War One

She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun

She turned BLOOD RED World War Two,

And she hung limp and low a time or two.

She was in Korea and Vietnam

She went from our ships upon the briny foam.

Now they've about quit waving her back here at home

In our good land she's been abused,

She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused

And the Government for which she stands

Is scandalized through out the land.

She's getting threadbare and she's wearing thin,

But, she's in good shape for the shape she's in,

Because she's been through the fire before,

I believe she can take a whole lot more.

So we raise her up every morning, and we

Take her down every night,

We don't let her touch the ground,

and we fold her up right.

On second thought, I do like to brag,

Because I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag!

The Vote Is In

A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election. - Bill Vaughan

Much is being made in the media about the pending race for the Presidency of the United States.  While being the leader of one of the largest countries in the free world and a super power one at that is a glamorous position, the real workers in this great nation; those that impact the everyday lives of each of us; are our city or town councils.  Yet the candidates for these positions receive very little media coverage in the days leading up to the municipal election.

In my little corner of the world, communities are facing very hard choices.  Revenues from development and sales tax are not keeping up with costs to maintain city infrastructure, services and programs.  Incoming council members will need to make hard decisions on further cuts or increasing taxes. I was saddened to learn that overall average voter turnout for the election on November 8th was less than 20%.  In some municipal elections here voter turnout was approximately 10%.  And it needs to be noted that this it not 10% of eligible voters, this is only 10% of those that registered to vote.  Even local communities that voting is done by mail, only 70% of ballots were returned.

Many of the comments I heard regarding the choice not to vote showed the apathy of most.  Comments such as "I didn't vote because I didn't know the issues or I didn't know the candidates" were most troubling to me because they show a lack of accepting the role each of us have as a citizen of the United States.  It is our responsibility to learn what the issues are and to determine who will best represent our opinion on those issues.

Many brave men and women have fought for our right to have self-determination and not be ruled by the will of another.  I was raised to know that I was blessed to be able to live in the greatest nation on earth, but where much is given much is expected and it was my duty as a citizen to be educated and to serve my community as I was able.  Many of my early years were spent campaigning for my father as he ran for elected office.  Many nights he was away from home as he served on the Planning Commission or Board of Adjustment.  Just as he offered tithes of money to his church, he offered tithes of time to his community.  I have tried to live this principal and to instill it in my children.

I am grateful that I live in a community that did better than the average.  22% of the registered voters in La Verkin made it to the polls this week.  I am sure that issues in the community helped fuel that turnout, but I genuinely believe the citizens here do care.  Unfortunately, 22% falls far short of 100.

Another election is on the horizon.  Voter turnout for that election will be higher because it is the glamorous presidential election, but there will still be county and state races on the ballot along with a few referendums I am sure.  My wish is that as Americans, we will step up and fulfill our role as citizens.  We have a year to become educated in our choices and to prepare to cast our ballot.  Then we need to SHOW UP!!!  And not just next year, but the year after and the year after and then the next.........  There is much written about the write to vote, but it is also a responsibility each of hold.