If we don’t vote:

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” ~ Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Elephant isn’t partisan. We accept articles on any subject, from any point of view, as long as they’re thoughtfully and constructively expressed. Elephant doesn’t need to reflect my point of view on anything—I’m often wrong! But I’m open-minded, and I’d like to learn.

That said, we do have values, here. We’re not just here to cover “the mindful life,” as we’ve done since 2002. We’re here to bring awareness to the un-mindful life—not just share smoothie recipes and selfies in swim trunks on beaches (a la so much of Instagram).

Sometimes, our readers think we’re about inspiration—we are, but we’re also here to offer awareness. Sometimes, our readers tell us to leave politics alone and remain an inspiration-only zone. To that, I say, sorry: politics affects life—food, education, war, peace, development and historic preservation, equal rights, our environment. We can’t afford to ignore life, and neither can you.

But we can jump in to awareness with an open mind, rooted in these values.

If we offer up aggression, even for a good cause, we’re just creating further aggression. That’s no good. So let’s get involved…with a willingness to talk and listen, to create dialogue, and to inspire involvement in our communities.

Vote!

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The USA is gearing up to vote in the midterms like never before. Are you?

In an imperfect world, we can bend the arc of history toward justice just by showing up and bothering to vote for the greater of two candidates, or even the lesser of two evils (which is better than the greater evil). To inspire a friend to vote, share the below quotes or my editor’s letter, above.

“What have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” He answered, “A republic, if you can keep it!” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the people and burn their behinds, then they will have to sit on their blisters.” ~ President Abraham Lincoln

“Apathy gets you the government we have today.” ~ Gil Sery

“Without the vote of a free man, I am but a slave without power to make decisions.” ~ Gary Olson

 “Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness.” ~ Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“Women suffragettes were jailed and force fed for 3 weeks for the right to vote. 40 lives [were lost] for freedom, lost courageously in the fight for minority rights to vote, enshrined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.”

“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” ~  President Lyndon Johnson

“A wise man will not leave what is right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“If people won’t vote for good candidates…because we think they won’t win, why will good candidates continue to run?” -Eric and Rachel Jones

Over 70 percent of our older citizens vote. Only 40 percent of our younger citizens vote.

“Because the rest of us are depending on you.” ~ Marv DeBoy

To guard against ‘unworthy candidates’ and the ‘vicious arts’ of politics. ~ James Madison, Federalist #10

“Democracy must be more than 2 wolves and 1 sheep voting on what to have for dinner. ” ~ James Bovard

“It’s a right, a duty and an honor.  It can make a difference.” ~ Doc Jesse

“Our military protects us, but who protects them? You are their only defense. You can control, through votes and citizen action, how our million-plus active duty service members are utilized.”

“Your silence gives consent. ” ~ Plato

Most quotes via.