Any Day is the Right Day to Vote Yes on 1

              Today is a unique convergence in Tennessee for two groups of unborn children. As such, I think it appropriate to bring my views on one of the constitutional amendments that we Tennesseans are voting on to the screen today. Perhaps you share one of more of my angles. Perhaps I’ll throw you a new thought or two. Feel free to share. These are conversation worth having with yourself even if not with others.
               Today begins early voting in Tennessee. The first Tennesseans can now make their voices heard on (among other things) what is commonly referred to as “Amendment 1,” an amendment to our State’s constitution relative to the issue of abortion. Whether you vote “yes” or “no” on 1, today is your first opportunity. [And whether you vote today or not, be sure to vote if you are eligible.] I choose to vote “yes” on Amendment 1. I do so knowing that the passage of this constitutional amendment does not mean the end of abortion in my home state. However, as a person who wants to see legalized abortion end and who prefers to see laws made by legislatures and not judges, I would cast no other vote here. To those who consider themselves “pro-choice,” I remind you that the amendment to be applied to the constitution says nothing about ending or outlawing abortion in Tennessee. It simply states that:

“Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother."

                One could say that this is the unique codification of the ability of the people, through our duly elected representatives, to decide when and how they wish if something shall be treated as constitutional or unconstitutional so long as it is within the dictates of federal law. In the American framework of a democratic republic, that sounds like good policy to me, if exercised carefully. In short, it keeps the real power over a very sensitive issue in the hands of those who deserve it – the people. Judges don’t speak for the people individually or collectively and should not always be the final word on everything. Even some who disagree with me on abortion can agree on that. Vote “yes” on 1 for good government. Many who call themselves “pro-choice” make their primary arguments based on notions of women’s rights and health and safety. Under the current judicial climate in Tennessee, abortion providers are barely regulated, rarely inspected, and virtually unsupervised for purposes of maintaining proper safety and health standards. If the safety and health of women is really a chief concern to you, whether you are alright with the practice of abortion or not, then this amendment opens the door to offer that safety. Vote “yes” on 1 for women’s health. Whether you like abortion or not, there is reason enough for anyone to vote “yes” on Amendment 1.
              I am alive today to vote “yes” on Amendment 1, and to vote on anything else, because I was born (simple logic) and not lost as a fetus through any fault of my mother’s or by any occurrence apart from her or my father’s control. That leads me to the other significant point of today. As passionate as people get about the loss or potential loss of unborn children through abortion, they often forget those lost by natural causes. Today, October 15, is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. So many parents, some with other children of their own and some without, have suffered the loss of children they did not decide or want to lose while many others simply declare it a matter of choice to give up the physical life for which they are responsible. Whether by miscarriage or stillbirth, the loss of a baby is tragic and should not be overlooked or trivialized, particularly by those who spend so much energy fighting for and talking about whether or not babies can or should be aborted (it happens all too often). To my pro-life friends, remember, if “life begins at conception” then an aborted fetus is worth just as much as the miscarried one or the stillborn child or the adult into which any of those could grow. While this is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day across the country, I find it ironic that it falls on the first day of early voting in Tennessee this year. I hope that my fellow Tennesseans recognize that as they begin the trek to their early voting sites and are reminded that while the issue of abortion has created a beast of political discourse and conflict over the last few decades, unborn children themselves are not political tools and can be lost by many means. They are equals. To my pro-life friends who plan to vote “yes” on 1 (though I reiterate that pro-choice folks and those without a label have ample reason to do the same), I encourage you to do it in honor of the unborn children whose arrival into this world would’ve had nothing to do with the issue on which you are voting - they had as little choice of their own as any other baby that was lost. And, if you have a friend or family member who has suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth, remember to pray for their comfort and strength today. Their loss was not a choice and their burden will never easily be forgotten. Casting a vote on an issue only takes a minute. But, learning about a situation you may never understand in your own life and helping others live with it can take a lifetime.
              This October 15, think about two things with me. Tennesseans, whether or not you’ve made your decision on the question of Amendment 1, I encourage you to learn more about the amendment, the issue, and why it’s the right idea to add this language to Tennessee’s constitution. The time to vote on it has begun. Yes, it’s about our state’s handling of the issue of abortion, but it is also about our state properly making its own laws. Start the process at www.yeson1tn.org. Second, whether you’re a Tennessee voter or not, learn more about this day that has been set aside to remember the babies who were lost before they got to see the face of their dad or mom. While there have been government proclamations recognizing this day (and, actually, the entire month of October), the real effort to solidify it and increase awareness has been through a volunteer force. The folks behind www.october15th.com have done a great job honoring their own little ones and millions of others. If you have ever suffered such a loss, they also make some beautiful items to honor your little one. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. And vote “yes” on 1 to take care of our state!

Let He Who Is With or Without Complaint Cast the First Vote

        Any of you who know me (or have read much this blog) know that I am a bit of a political enthusiast. So, naturally, that’s why I want to spend a post reminding you to vote next month. Right? Wrong. Absolutely wrong! I am writing about voting today because I am a human being blessed to be an American citizen with the God-given right and personal responsibility to participate in the management of my government which affects my everyday life. Thus, I am writing for the same reason any of you should. (And you’re reading because you are nice people.) While I could (and later might) spend many paragraphs writing and philosophizing about the value and importance of our votes, the election process, and the flawed beauty of our representative democracy, I really just want to give two simple but vital reminders.
        First, to my fellow registered voters, remember that November 4 is the next federal Election Day. Here in Tennessee, as in most states, it is also a state Election Day. Many important decisions will be made – by us. Take it seriously and do your duty. Regardless of who you vote for, your opinion has virtually no value after an election if you did not participate in the collective decision-making in which we as a community and society engage. To my fellow Tennesseans, remember that there are more than just office-holder elections on this ballot. Four state constitutional amendments will be put before us too. During my years of working for the General Assembly, I actually witnessed the beginnings of some of those amendments in process. I now remind us all to participate in the most important step – the direct addition of our voices. Though November 4 is Election Day, remember that the convenience of early voting adds to your ability to be extra sure your vote is cast, counted, and unhindered. I always vote early (less rush, smaller crowds). For this election cycle, October 15 through October 30 will serve as the early voting period in Tennessee. To learn more about time and voting cites, contact your County Election Commission. Regardless of when or where or for whom, just VOTE!

        Second, to those reading who are not yet registered to vote, I offer this… Ask yourself “How old am I?” If the answer is 18 or any age beyond that, then ask yourself another question, “Am I registered to vote?” If the answer is “No,” then you have work to do tomorrow. In Tennessee, tomorrow, October 6, is the deadline to register to vote in the November 4 election. You must personally submit a registration form to your County Election Commission or have a mail-in form postmarked tomorrow. The registration process in incredibly simple (and, frankly, you should have done it the day you turned 18). Note that if you have moved since you last voted, you must follow the same basic process to change your registration. I want to give a shoutout to my friend and Tennessee’s Coordinator of Elections, Mark Goins, who not only does a terrific job managing a complicated process statewide but has dedicated much effort to encouraging new voter registrations. September was Voter Registration Month and, through his efforts, hundreds of new voters registered in time for the coming elections with just a few weeks. Just as important, they are ready to vote in every election to come and begin feeling more connected to the communities for which we are responsible. Through multiple forms of media, Mark has taken the promotion of voter registration to the streets and reminded us that everyone should register and vote (often by showing us who already has). If you are of age and a Tennessee resident and are not yet registered, you can print the form found at http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/forms/ss-3010.pdf, fill it out and mail it (early tomorrow!) to your County Election Commission office. Better yet, visit the office in person. It’s always good to get to know the folks we trust with one of the most precious duties in our local governments. You can find your local election office at http://tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php. For more details and info, visit the Secretary of State’s (Tre Hargett, another awesome guy) voter registration information page at http://www.tennessee.gov/sos/election/registration.htm. Please register. Please vote. You’re the only person who can make America the America that you want.        Whether you are already registered or need to register (tomorrow!), if you are a qualified voter, I hope to see YOU at the polls on Election Day or during early voting. Too many people who have registered don’t vote, and too many adults who could register never do or wait too long. We must change both trends. For all the public service announcements that are out there about talking to your kids about sex or smoking or talking to your friends about drinking and drugs (all very important) and other things, perhaps there will one day be room for a PSA about voter apathy. Fellow voters, talk to your friends and family about their voter registration AND participation level. If you’re not comfortable talking about politics, then don’t. Just talk about voting. Voting is a right to be respected, a privilege bought by many lives, and a duty to be taken seriously so that we as a people can still control our destiny. Don’t miss the boat – GO VOTE!

Hey, I don't just vote in Nashville... I also watch it on TV.
Glad to see Chip Esten, a great actor/musician, promoting voter registration.
Thanks, Deacon!

Whoa! Imperial defectors. Goins reaches every corner of the universe.
Glad to see some of the Emperor's old followers have seen the light.
"Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic - to democracy!"