Inspiration And Expert Advice: Expert Columns
Your Vote Counts!
By Janis Roszler, RD, CDE, LD/N
I recently returned from Israel. While there, I set my alarm clock to ring at 5 AM to make sure that I would be up to see Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin deliver her speech at the Republican convention. I can’t say which candidate will get my vote, but I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to see this newcomer on the scene with all of you here at home. This year’s election has been anything but dull. I live in Florida, the land of the infamous butterfly ballot and other voting disasters. With that illustrious history, I should feel discouraged, yet I don’t. I still believe that my vote is important and I plan to cast it with great care in the upcoming election. Do you plan to vote? I hope so. November’s election will be a close one and the candidate of your choice needs your support.
I have a lot on my mind this election cycle and I assume that you do too. I worry about our economy, our troops, gas prices, terrorism, our cities’ infrastructure, our environment, our international relationships, and many other problems. I also care a great deal about concerns that affect the diabetes community. We have special needs that deserve a great deal of attention. Many dLife.com members have no insurance and struggle each day to acquire test strips and life-saving medication. I’d like to have our government help find a solution to the problems that are faced by the uninsured in our nation. I’d also like to see stem cell research continue at a more rapid pace. Will the next government support the research that is needed to help save lives? I hope so.
It’s not too late to find out what’s going on. Take a look at the health care positions held by Senators John McCain and Barack Obama and find out who has your concerns at heart. If you need to learn more about health-related issues, visit www.health08.org, a site run by the Kaiser Family Foundation. This group is a non-profit organization that offers non-partisan facts and information to the public and media. At this site, you can view video clips, listen to podcasts, and read articles that show how the two major presidential candidates feel about numerous health-related issues.
There are, of course, many other important issues that are being discussed so find out what the candidates have to say. You can visit their websites. Debates are also still going on so check out what’s coming up and take a listen.
Your vote counts. Be part of the solution. Watch the debates, read the opinions of educated experts, and make a decision. Do not be silent. If you are not registered to vote, go to www.rockthevote.com. If you know others who have not registered yet, encourage them to go as well. A vote is an enormous privilege. Please let your voice be heard!
www.DearJanis.com
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