[BenL]

The "rugged individualistic" culture of the U.S. has a strong influence on our politics. It's easy for voters to latch on to one or two issues that become iconic for them. The danger is that the system grinds to a halt while we bicker with each other over what government should do next. The casualties become the systemic reforms like health care and the state of the economy, which ironically the general public lists as major issues. Gridlock is inevitable when the country is split almost 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives.

Like many of us here, I keep a weather eye on LGBT issues. They're important to me. But I'm also concerned, because of my work, with elder care issues and human services in general. We can argue over which issues or which reforms should come first, but the one thing we should NOT do is stay home from the polls because we're pissed. We all neeed to engage in the political process, no matter how frustrating we find it or how angry we are. Staying home is tantamount to handing the country over to the extremists, who can unseat governments while we're not paying attention.

Please get informed, get involved and VOTE Nov. 2nd.