Educated Vote
Okay, so this is an interesting post and one I’ve been wanting to write/post but trying to decide how to actually word it has been a bit tricky. I’m not really sure how many people from Missouri actually read my blog so I’m going to touch on Missouri but also touch on a more broad sense too, so bear with me please.
First off, let me state that I’m not big on discussing politics with people. People can get extremely heated (myself included) so I just avoid that conversation most times, but at the same time, I try to keep myself educated so if I do find myself in that situation I can keep up :). Or else I’ll simply say I’m sorry I don’t have an opinion and move on. So know that I’m not here to tell you how to vote if you happen to be from Missouri! Keep that in mind!
So hi, I’m Nicole and I grew up on a Family Farm. In fact, it’s small time, we have outside jobs to support the farm. Sadly we do not make our living as farmers although I always wanted to be a farmer when I grew up.
Tomorrow August 5th, there is an Amendment that is being presented to Missouri constitution that involves farming regulations. There are signs up all over that say Vote Yes on Amendment 1. But there are a lot of people who are against this also who are saying Vote No on Amendment 1. I’m not here to tell you how to vote, that’s for sure. I have done my research and I know exactly how I’m voting. Ask me, I’ll tell you, but I have done my research and I have reason behind my vote.
Politics are a crazy thing. A politician will “stand” for one thing but if they have someone come in as a monetary supporter that wants them to go the other direction, sadly for the right price they can be bought. Facts are facts.
There are a lot of activist groups out there who are against agriculture, mainly animal production agriculture and want to do away with it. I personally don’t agree with them, because lets face it, I like a good steak. You do away with animal production agriculture and you have no more steaks (unless you go to foreign countries and the US provides a lot meat to foreign countries…). If you are a vegetarian or a vegan or anything of the sort, that is your prerogative. I’m not going to say you have to eat meat. But the extremist groups come in and tell me that I can’t eat meat. Why? Lots of reasons and we can all do our research there too.
So I guess what I’m going to say now is, do your research. If you’re going to vote without doing your research, then DON’T tell other’s how to vote. I read a blog post this morning of a guy telling the public how to vote but he stated he hasn’t done much research. I’m sorry, why? You said you haven’t done your research so what makes you an expert? I have done my research but I don’t claim to be an expert. I read propaganda both for and against the amendment. There are interesting points provided by both sides. Do keep in mind who sponsors what you read and find out what they stand for…
I’ll admit, I’ve voted before without doing my research because I didn’t have time or I didn’t care or whatever. Sometimes things get put on ballots when you’re really only there to worry about voting for one thing and you get sucked in to voting for other things you didn’t even realize were on the ballot. I’ve even left things blank because I didn’t know and I’m not afraid to admit that. I definitely wouldn’t tell you how to vote on that stuff! But I’m not going to tell you how to vote on any issue. I’ll provide you with facts I know but that’s about it. I’ll even help play devil’s advocate if you’d like.
Basically if you’re going to take a strong side one way or the other, know why. And definitely don’t tell someone how to vote if you don’t have a good strong reason for why you’re voting one way or the other.
So now if you are from Missouri and would like some articles to read, please check these out (and no, this isn’t all I read… I’ve been reading for over a month now). I just randomly grabbed a handful of different opinions. Please do your research though before you tell someone how to vote.
http://www.semissourian.com/story/2104195.html
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=767712129937628
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4hZc-y5jQo
http://www.ourfamilyourfarm.com/2014/08/a-yes-vote-for-amendment-1.html?spref=tw&m=1
http://www.news-leader.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/07/27/voice-wrong-way-protect-farms/13177541/
http://chrischinn.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/missouri-to-vote-on-right-to-farm-legislation-2/
