Repost: Vote for Kids

EveryChildMatters.org

It's campaign season and another election is just six days away.  Last year, my husband and I took our children with us to the poll as a family for the first time.  Yard signs, posters, politicians knocking on doors, and television debates are everywhere you turn if you live on Long Island.  Our children watched each of us vote.  After we voted, we took a family photo which will be forever etched in our minds.  We also supported our local candidates by placing yard signs on our lawn, asking friends to do the same, and volunteering where we can.  Our children, at the ages of 5 and 3, have an idea of what voting means and how important it is to take part in the political process. Open the door, hear what the candidate has to say.  It only takes a few minutes to learn how they plan to work for you.

Last year, a Huntington mom friend of mine invited my family to attend an event hosted by Every Child Matters Education Fund. a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization working to make public investments in children, youth, and families a national political priority.

What makes ECM different is that their focus is on raising the visibility of children’s issues during elections.  The organization urges candidates to support, and the public to demand, greater investments in programs that address the needs of America's families.  I am also proud to announce that ECM will be at the "Wear it Again" Costume Party this weekend with crafts, balloons, bumper stickers, and other takeaways for those in attendance.

Returning to my soapbox, I encourage you to form your own opinion on which candidate to vote for by not just reading the newspaper (many facts are wrong and never corrected), but by attending candidates forums and/or debates (televised or live), viewing candidate's websites, and volunteering your time with candidates.   I encourage you to vote for the candidates who have your children's best interests in mind, and not because they're a part of a certain political party, have held the position for years, or because you don't know the opponent.  Vote for the best candidate for today's issues.  To learn about the candidates in our area, click here.

Election Day - Tuesday, November 8th
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