The Season To Be Thankful

Thanksgiving is upon us, although retailers everywhere would have us believe we are in the midst of the Christmas season. I always feel like Thanksgiving gets a raw deal--there is so much hype for Halloween and so much for Christmas that Thanksgiving gets lost. I have appreciated so many other bloggers that are taking the time to write about the things they are thankful for. I can't promise daily posts, but I hope to take some quality time pondering and writing about the things I am grateful for as Thanksgiving draws near.

Today, I am grateful to live in a country where my opinion matters, and I get to share it officially. In Utah we are deciding on an important issue today (school vouchers) that has been the hot topic and the basis for many discussions, debates, and arguments. My husband and I have commented on how an issue like this has even divided families. There has been an incredible amount of money spent on this issue (almost $8 million, just from the two biggest groups) and a lot of fact twisting and spinning--admittedly from both sides of the issue. By the time election day arrives, we have made our decision and get to cast our vote for what we believe to be the best thing for our state and for our children. I have been thinking a lot about the issue--is there a right or wrong answer? In my mind there is, but it's largely subjective, because the guys on the other side believe they are right as well. As with all things, there are many opinions, and voting is a way that we get to express those and help shape policy and law. I hope you took the opportunity to be an informed voter today. I am grateful for that right (and also grateful that as of 9:31 pm, exit polls show that the Voucher referendum was defeated by a huge majority)!

I do have to add a disclaimer though, that although I felt extremely informed and well-educated on the voucher issue, I was much less educated on our candidates for City Council. There were four candidates and we could vote for three. I admit (somewhat ashamedly) that I know very little about all of them. I voted for one just because she's a woman. I didn't vote for another because his sign frequently sat next to "I'm for 1" signs in yards around town--Ryan reminded me that the poor guy was guilty by association, no more. By default, the other two got my vote. I guess when it comes to an issue I feel strongly about, I go to great lengths to be educated and informed, but if it doesn't really matter to me either way--there's no telling how I'll vote!