Why Can't Children Vote?

"Why not, indeed?" My constant headache nowadays stem not from my own harried and hurried way of day to day living, although it would surely appear that way, but from the purely innocent yet "punchline" queries from all sides---read: each of my four beloved "gremlins"! It has seemed to escalate as we draw closer toward the upcoming elections. Much as I do not want to talk politics once again, I seem to be inebriated by it..and I can ignore it no longer!

"Why can't children vote, mom?" That's coming from my inquisitive 6-year old, Joey, who said, "If you let us vote, this would be much funner....look! It's just oldies bickering over and over again on TV!" Whoa! Enough said, and truly so! It took me a long while to drive the point that every man must earn the right to vote and one of the requirements is that he first grow up and be involved enough in society. Children, by virtue of age and inexperience, cannot vote yet because they lack involvement in our so-called society. In other words, they don't work or pay taxes, they don't drive and pay insurance, they don't own land or a business. However, I had dug up my trustworthy book, "Over 200 Questions Children Ask" and had to quote 1 Timothy 4:12 .(Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and purity.") Just when I thought I had succeeded in explaining this to him he shot back, (oh, and brace yourselves!) "But Cain (forgive the mistake) and Obama don't act grown up..." Well, the rest of it is too hilariously true and not fit to print!

Now what do you say to that? With just mere days prior to the elections, to have one of our 6 year-olds observe our 'political circus' and state it in such down to earth, pointed words is embarassing. In such a quagmire world of technological advancement, economic crumbling and moral unraveling---we, grown-ups, have indeed become immature and selfish in our greed for ultimate power and self-promotion. As we set out to vote on November 4, may we endeavor to be good examples to our children. May we pray that our vote is something we could be proud of and live with for the next four years, which could very well impact our way of life for decades. This is a tough time for America. I didn't need to say that but it even looks more ominous in print. My favorite radio host has a topic on discussion this past few weeks entitled, "Where is God in America?"

Has God's displeasure with our immoral and selfish ways brought about a social upheaval unlike any other ever seen before? With the times unfolding before our consciousness, is the third secret of Fatima slowly coming true? Are we ready? How will our vote going to impact our children's tomorrow? All that is of value is not cast in gold. Rather, where one's treasure is... there lies his heart. Should we choose change that may undoubtedly mislead us to take the shorter route to uncanny destruction...judicially, morally and economically? Or should we rally behind the idea that we have one more chance to redeem ourselves by doing that which is just, prudent and morally right? One cast of the ballot is all it takes to put one man at the helm of this nation that has seen, suffered and conquered much. Let us show our children that we are, indeed, grown up and had earned our right to vote.

Let us pray that whoever we vote for will stand for us and with us in the forthcoming trials that will surely besiege this nation. May we not be disgraced in the eyes of our children as they see the fruits of our ballot in the coming months. Our ballot, once cast, may never be erased, modified nor deleted. It is one stroke of a pen versus four years of retribution if and when we realize our mistake too late. If our presidential candidates were to explain today to our kids that their kind may not even get to flourish because so many are deemed "not worthy" to be born at all....whom do you think they'd choose? If they are told that when they grow up they must share their dollars to little Joe next door who didn't strive enough to work hard at all...whom do you think they'd choose? If they are told that they should keep shaking the bully's hands even if everytime they do this they get mauled....whom do you think they'd choose? If they are told that if and when they get sick, they can only go to a certain doctor for a specified amount of treatment and medications...whom do you think they'd choose?

Indeed, it would have been much "funner" and simpler were children to vote today. We have much to learn from their simplicity and trusting innocence yet keen minds...we must bear the privilege we hold at the tip of our pens with pride and conscience as we etch their future in ink, in our own hand. With your vote, you either cast a ballot for their future or their demise...

Get out and vote like a grown up... choosing moral responsibility over greed disguised as pompous promises!

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."