I’m not much into politics or voicing my opinion about the national, state, or local candidates in the upcoming elections. Frankly, serving five-plus decades (still actively involved) in education, I have always felt it may not be wise or even ethical to publicly endorse a party, position, or person running for office (especially a school board director!). And, with all the angry rhetoric, polarized (and fractured) debates in social media and on the news, with opposing sides literally calling each other a liar and no semblance of compromise, I literally “run the other away” to avoid confrontation in expressing my viewpoints. But, I do advocate for one of the foundations of our democracy and citizenship: GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!

The following quote seems to hit the nail square on its head:

Voting gives you the power to create positive change for your community and determine a better quality of life for you and your family. Voting together with your neighbors, family, and friends ensures that your shared values and issues are prioritized, that you play a key role in choosing who represents us, and where government funding and resources will go. The more we vote, the more powerful our voices become, and the likelier the issues that are important to us will be heard.
https://apiavote.org/how-to-vote/why-vote/

Now two weeks before the election (and ever-so-appropriate), it’s time to share a poem written by one of my former high school head custodians. I have proudly used Jay’s talents as a lyricist for several of my school musical productions. Now retired from Eisenhower Elementary (of the Upper St. Clair School District), he was also recognized for his poem “Shadow in the Outfield,” a tribute to Roberto Clemente, originally printed in the UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine – a copy of which has been placed in the Baseball Hall-of-Fame at Cooperstown, New York. Thank you, Jay, for this inspiration, and all the service you have given our students, parents, and staff!

What’s in a Vote?

Is the silent majority really the minority
Or the one true voice of the land?
Is the outspoken minority really the majority
Or only a loud drum in the band.

Ours is a special case like no other place
Where we’re permitted to raise our voice.
In some other land, they may not make that stand
To be governed by leaders by choice.

There are some people alive, who cannot strive
They’re not given the freedom to choose.
We should be glad that we don’t have it so bad
We don’t have to walk in their shoes.

Politicians will talk ‘around the clock
We listen and hear what they say.
We’re given the chance to let them advance
We may do it or just shy away.

May good souls will lose at the polls
Instead of first place, they’re in last.
Some were quite good and did what they could
But for them just a few votes were cast.

Don’t sit and gloat when it is time to vote
In the primaries or on Election Day.
Go make your choice so that you have a voice
Then hope it will turn out your way.

When the ballots are in and you know who did win
If you didn’t cast a vote it’s a shame.
Now if things get too tough don’t speak so rough
There is nobody else you can blame.

Let’s hope the silent majority is really the minority
And not the true voice of our land.
The outspoken minority is really the majority.
They’re the players who make up the band.

by Jay Walsh

Regardless of the “negative noise” out there in the media, please make YOUR VOICE count!
IT MATTERS! YOU MATTER! You ARE one of the players that make up the band!

PKF

© 2024 Paul K. Fox