Voting
I treasure my right to vote. This was not given to me by birth but by naturalization; not that many years ago.
When I consider what was required of me when I entered the States and the current requirements I am amazed. One of the first things I was instructed to do after crossing the border from Canada to become a permanent resident legal immigrant was to register for the Draft. Although I was classified as 4-F (excused for health reasons), I know of others who were called to military service within 6 months of arriving. That had to be a shock; just after having found a job.
In addition to registering for the Draft, I was required to file my current address each year thereafter during the month of January. It was a simple process that meant going to the post office to complete a card that was filed with the Department of Justice. Years later, for reasons unknown, it became no longer necessary for the annual confirmation.
During all these years as a permanent resident legal immigrant, I was not eligible to vote but did pay all required taxes from income tax to Social Security to property tax. Since I was contributing financially, I figured it was time for me to have some input, limited though it may be, to the legislative process.
The right to vote should not be shrugged off. If a person chooses not to vote; then there is little cause for that person to complain.
