IT WILL be elections six days or this coming Monday, May 13, 2019, to choose 12 new senators, our provincial governors, vice governors, members of the Provincial Board, municipal mayors, vice mayors, and the council members in cities and municipalities.
It is not unusual to find during elections that many families are often not one in selecting the public officials they will vote for.
It happened to us once as husband and wife way back in the mid-80s. It was something we could not forget. While on our way to the precinct to vote, when comparing notes we found out that our choice for the position of President was different from each other.
So what we did was first to stop at a refreshment parlor, ordered a soft drink and then sat down to discuss the merits and demerits of each of the opposing candidates so we could arrive at our common choice before proceeding to the precinct to vote.
We strongly believe that the family must vote as one and it should not happen especially for husband and wife to have different choices of the personalities that they will vote for in the elections.
Not only for husbands and wives but for all members of the family, including children of age, it will be ideal to sit down together and discuss the issues first then check on the qualifications and merits of each candidate for the positions they aspire for and decide to vote as one family for the personalities on the different positions to be filled.
What if the children are living in different places because they have now families of their own?
In this case, they have to make the common choice by conducting a special meeting in their respective families attended by members of voting age and choose their own local officials to vote for, but they should coordinate with siblings residing in other cities or provinces to arrive at a united family vote on the national level.
Well, communications today is fast and instant via the internet and we think there will be no problem, but this must be done at least one week before elections so that all the issues are already cleared for us to decide who shall we support and vote for.
A very important factor to consider in the qualifications of candidates especially that for legislators like that of congressman or senator is maturity and the ability to speak in a public forum like Congress in order to effectively present a bill or make a stand on an issue or deliver a message in behalf of their constituents.
You should see Congress in action especially in the Lower House during a debate or privilege hour. Congressmen speak even if others are also speaking. There being not enough microphones, there is pandemonium in competing for the privilege to participate in the open sessions. That is why in choosing our representative in Congress we should prefer one that is mature in outlook and more assertive; otherwise he might end up as Chairman of the Committee on Silence.
Another reminder, please bring a “codigo” or listing of the candidates you will vote for before leaving your home, in order not to miss any one that you have selected.
We strongly believe that the family way of choosing together the candidates that we will vote for in the elections will keep us to stay together. If we can unite the family we can unite the country!
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GEM OF THOUGHT
“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: ‘President can’t swim.’ – Lyndon B. Johnson.” (For comments or reactions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com/PN)