Lifestyle

Voting Is So Important, Your Vote Does Count!

I like to keep up on current events and know what is going on, but I tend to stay away from heated debates and partisan discussions. Instead, I prefer to focus on understanding the underlying issues, researching different perspectives, and making informed decisions based on facts and my own values.

Being informed about politics and current events is essential for responsible citizenship, as it allows me to engage in meaningful conversations and make educated choices during elections. However, I also value maintaining respectful and open dialogues with people of differing opinions, recognizing that constructive conversations can lead to greater understanding and compromise.

While I may not be an activist or deeply involved in political campaigns, I recognize the importance of civic engagement. I vote in elections, participate in local community initiatives, and support causes that align with my values. By striking a balance between staying informed and maintaining a civil, non-confrontational approach to politics, I aim to contribute positively to my community and society as a whole.

One of the most important things I can do is vote! Your vote holds significance, and local government plays a vital role in shaping the quality of life in your community. Here’s why local government is of paramount importance:

Local government decisions have a direct impact on your daily life. They oversee crucial services such as education, transportation, public safety, and infrastructure. By participating in local elections, you influence how these services are funded, managed, and improved to meet your needs.

Local officials are often your neighbors who understand your community’s unique challenges. By voting in local elections, you ensure that your voice is heard, and your concerns are addressed by representatives who are intimately familiar with your area.

Economic development is greatly influenced by local government policies. Through zoning regulations, tax incentives, and infrastructure investments, they can foster job growth and enhance economic opportunities. Your vote can help shape the economic future of your community.

Local government is responsible for public safety, including law enforcement and emergency services. Voting for leaders who prioritize effective public safety policies contributes to the security and well-being of your neighborhood.

Environmental stewardship is another crucial role of local government. They implement policies related to conservation, waste management, and sustainable development, directly impacting the environment in your area.

School boards and districts are typically under local officials. Your vote in school board elections can affect the quality of education provided to the children in your community.

Local government is often more accessible and responsive to citizens’ needs compared to larger, more distant levels of government. Your vote ensures that your concerns are more likely to be addressed promptly and effectively.

Fiscal responsibility is a key aspect of local governance. Local governments manage budgets that affect property taxes and local services. Voting for fiscally responsible leaders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and responsibly.

Local government plays a significant role in community building. They support cultural events, recreational activities, and civic engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness in your area.

Furthermore, strong local government serves as a crucial check on state and federal power, ensuring that decisions are made with the best interests of the community in mind. It helps maintain the balance of power and ensures that your community’s unique needs are not overlooked.

In conclusion, your vote in local elections empowers you to actively participate in shaping the governance and future of your community. Local government decisions influence all aspects of your daily life, making it essential to engage in the democratic process at the local level to contribute to a better future for your neighborhood and beyond.

Here is a link to learn how to register so you can vote in federal, state, and local elections. Click HERE to Register to vote at Vote.gov.

Already registered?! Explore voting and election resources on USA.gov:

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on InstagramTwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Lifestyle

Your Vote Does Count!

I’m not an overly political person. I like to keep up on current events and know what is going on, but I tend to stay away from heated debates and partisan discussions. Instead, I prefer to focus on understanding the underlying issues, researching different perspectives, and making informed decisions based on facts and my own values.

I believe that being informed about politics and current events is essential for responsible citizenship, as it allows me to engage in meaningful conversations and make educated choices during elections. However, I also value maintaining respectful and open dialogues with people of differing opinions, recognizing that constructive conversations can lead to greater understanding and compromise.

While I may not be an activist or deeply involved in political campaigns, I recognize the importance of civic engagement. I vote in elections, participate in local community initiatives, and support causes that align with my values. By striking a balance between staying informed and maintaining a civil, non-confrontational approach to politics, I aim to contribute positively to my community and society as a whole.

One of the most important things I can do is vote! Your vote holds significance, and local government plays a vital role in shaping the quality of life in your community. Here’s why local government is of paramount importance:

Local government decisions have a direct impact on your daily life. They oversee crucial services such as education, transportation, public safety, and infrastructure. By participating in local elections, you influence how these services are funded, managed, and improved to meet your needs.

Local officials are often your neighbors who understand your community’s unique challenges. By voting in local elections, you ensure that your voice is heard, and your concerns are addressed by representatives who are intimately familiar with your area.

Economic development is greatly influenced by local government policies. Through zoning regulations, tax incentives, and infrastructure investments, they can foster job growth and enhance economic opportunities. Your vote can help shape the economic future of your community.

Local government is responsible for public safety, including law enforcement and emergency services. Voting for leaders who prioritize effective public safety policies contributes to the security and well-being of your neighborhood.

Environmental stewardship is another crucial role of local government. They implement policies related to conservation, waste management, and sustainable development, directly impacting the environment in your area.

School boards and districts are typically under local officials. Your vote in school board elections can affect the quality of education provided to the children in your community.

Local government is often more accessible and responsive to citizens’ needs compared to larger, more distant levels of government. Your vote ensures that your concerns are more likely to be addressed promptly and effectively.

Fiscal responsibility is a key aspect of local governance. Local governments manage budgets that affect property taxes and local services. Voting for fiscally responsible leaders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and responsibly.

Local government plays a significant role in community building. They support cultural events, recreational activities, and civic engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness in your area.

Furthermore, strong local government serves as a crucial check on state and federal power, ensuring that decisions are made with the best interests of the community in mind. It helps maintain the balance of power and ensures that your community’s unique needs are not overlooked.

In conclusion, your vote in local elections empowers you to actively participate in shaping the governance and future of your community. Local government decisions influence all aspects of your daily life, making it essential to engage in the democratic process at the local level to contribute to a better future for your neighborhood and beyond.

Here is a link to learn how to register so you can vote in federal, state, and local elections. Click HERE to Register to vote at Vote.gov.

Already registered?! Explore voting and election resources on USA.gov:

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on InstagramTwitterPinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Love and Life

THE CROSSES A poem for Memorial Day By William H. McRaven

I have stood before the crosses
as we laid a soldier down.
They cast a simple shadow
upon the upturned ground
The bugler sounds taps
as each cross its witness bears
to the journey of a soldier
released from earthly cares.
I have stood before the crosses
and prayed a lonely prayer,
in hopes of some redemption
as I struggled to compare
My life of long contentment
with the soldier’s hallowed call
to warrant with his dying breath
a better world for all.
I have stood before the upturned ground
and struggled to compare
my courage and my character
with the man or woman there.
Would I have died a valiant death
in a foreign land,
upon a distant battlefield,
to save my fellow man?
I have stood before the crosses
as the sun was going down,
watching as the shadows faded
upon the upturned ground.
I have looked upon the hillside of
the crosses, row on row,
upon the young and brave of heart
never to grow old.
I have knelt before the crosses
at night, before I sleep,
and made upon my bended knee
a covenant I keep:
To live a life of service,
to honor all our losses,
for those who went before us,
those beneath the crosses.

Memorial day | lookingjoligood.blog
lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on  Twitter,  Instagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Love and Life

Memorial Day 2021

Memorial Day is an American holiday on which those who died in active military service are remembered. It’s a day for honoring and mourning people who’ve died while fighting to keep us safe. It’s a time many visit friends and family who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. In 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. It was traditionally observed on May 30 but is now officially observed on the last Monday in May.

Florida National Cemetery where my grandfather is buried

John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in 1915 as a memorial to those who died in a World War I battle fought in a region of Belgium known as the Ypres Salient. McCrae himself treated many of the soldiers injured in that battle and was particularly moved by the death of a close friend, Alexis Helmer. This poem helped popularize the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

Memorial day | lookingjoligood.blog
Gone but not forgotten

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Stop by and visit my Instagram page @lookingjoligood. Generally, I post pictures of food, plants and puppies, but there are pictures of makeup and beauty products as well.
I would love for you to follow me on  Twitter and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good.  
I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Memorial day | lookingjoligood.blog
My grandmother receiving the American flag at my grandfather’s funeral in 2018
Love and Life

Thank You, United Sates of America Veterans!

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN, who serves under the Flag.

veterans day | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on  Twitter,  Instagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Love and Life

Thank You Veterans!

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN, who serves under the Flag.

veterans day | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on  Twitter,  Instagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!