The Hard Work of Citizenship

Dictionary.com defines citizenship as:

1.	the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.

2.	the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen: an award for good citizenship.

Since we are vested with the rights, privileges and duties of citizenship, our character should reflect the obligations and functions of a citizen. I'm speaking of voting, of course. How could I not be, at this time of the year when my senses are assailed by a barrage of signs, phone calls, and direct mail? I am so over it, to quote the teenaged vernacular. And yet...

One of the AZ Republic's blog-writers has a cute title to his post today:

DON'T VOTE!

says Vic Linuff; and he continues in this vein:

Now that Early Voting has begun political ads are on the increase pummeling us into senselessness.

Along with the all the mind-numbing ads, signs and talk radio ranting, is the campaign to actually get us to vote.

Well I am here to offer this advice: DON’T VOTE!!!!

That’s right I am actually recommending that you don’t vote. Unless…

Unless you take the considerable time necessary to study the ponderous 2-volume, 326- page encyclopedia of information sent to every registered voter ─ Publicity Pamphlet Ballot Propositions & Judicial Performance Review Voter and the Citizens Clean Elections Commission 2006 Statewide & Legislative Candidate Statements.

He goes on to say that an uninformed vote is worse than no vote at all. I guess that's debatable, as some of his commenters do; but his point about the time required to wade through the information is well-taken. Who has the time to spend figuring that out? And yet...

I wanted to do a Roundup on the Ranch post today, updating you on the progress (or lack thereof) of various projects happening around Morrison Ranch. After all, our cattle ranch in Cottonwood is doing roundup this weekend, and that would be a nice tie-in. And yet...

And yet, The Mister spent 2 or 3 hours earlier this week poring over the voter guides, and fully informing himself (and thus me) about all 19 propositions. Did you know there are 50 judges on the ballot, seeking to be retained? Are you aware that, apart from the races for well-known positions such as governor, there are scads of relatively unknown positions for which to vote (including Richard Morrison for CAWCD!) such as the East Valley Institute for Technology?

The obligations of citizenship can be daunting! I think those obligations are worth it, though, being the unabashed patriot that I am. The Mister and I have our mail-in ballots, and have marked up the voter guides with our "answers", so all that remains is to fill them in and get them mailed. Armed with his vast research, The Mister is a great resource now if you want to use his answer for any part of the ballot.

Besides, maybe next week will hold more actual progress around Morrison Ranch; that's better blogging, anyway.