I didn't vote.

I have been up late watching. I have been watching and keeping track of things that are important to me. I have read my family and friends' comments and feelings. I have prayed and pondered, and I didn't vote. I know, I've heard all the arguments and the one that irritates me the most is the one where I'm not allowed to make comments about the happenings because I didn't vote.

I admire those who felt compelled to vote for their candidates and issues of choice. I don't deny the importance of taking a stand on things you believe in. I do that everyday as I teach my children how to be better people and love others and find harmony in their little worlds. However, I also appreciate the freedom of choice not to vote. I don't think that we should bash those who made their choice for Democrat, Republican or Independent. I don't think we should bash anyone who followed the issues and made choices, no matter what their choices were.

Here are my reasons, so you don't bash me either. Or maybe I'm just typing to the internet void, which is okay, too, it helps me get it off my mind a little.

1. I don't feel comfortable with the politics of either candidate. I can't support someone who supports and votes for abortion, late term abortion and letting infants born alive die alone. I don't think the choice for VP on the red would be ready to be president.

2. I am a resident of Utah, although I haven't lived there since 1999. That's the way it goes in the military. So, we can vote absentee ballot. I didn't feel the need to make a choice I wasn't comfortable with knowing that my state was going to be carried by the Republican anyway. After more study on the process, I think I'd like to find out why we have the electoral college anyway, it seems kind of messed up.

3. Although I don't think my vote for President would've mattered either way being from Utah, I also don't have any idea what is going on locally in that state. I don't know the propositions or issues, the candidates for local leadership or anything else, so voting for anything else other than primaries wasn't an answer for me either.

4. I'm just tired of all the bashing, lies and conflict. I know it's all part of the process, but it doesn't seem to accomplish anything but hate and frustration. He said, he said is getting old already.

So, you may feel that I don't deserve the right to make comments because I didn't cast my vote, but that's your opinion and I respect that. I am still a good person, with good values and righteous goals for my family. Just because I didn't vote doesn't mean that I can't have my own opinion and voice them. That's the beauty of this country I live in and love. I realize that this post may irritate some of my family and friends. That's okay, I've been thinking of that, but I don't care, honestly. I have made a choice that was right for me, and that's something no one can question.

No matter who is elected, I'll always do my part to be of service to my family, community, church, and country. I am proud of the process, it is a blessing to have the freedom to vote, when we choose to. Maybe we can all be proud of the fact that we are Americans, not red or blue, just Americans, and most importantly, children of God.