Just vote, dammit!

I don't know how active this site will be today since it's election day (I myself will be volunteering at the election commission), but for what it's worth, I do want to encourage everyone reading this to go out and vote, if you haven't already done so.

I've been posting here since 2007 and the one thing that runs throughout the majority of the topics is the importance of getting involved. For some people, that's simply reading what the board sends out and attending/voting in the annual meeting. Others may serve on an advisory committee or volunteer a few times for specific things like organizing a block party. Some go as far to serve on the board itself, perhaps as an officer. Whatever you do, congratulations and if you don't do anything, let the confusion and chaos of this election remind you that nothing ever happens just because you make a wish. At some point, you have to get off your ass and do something.

To quote the late, great Shirley Chisholm "You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." Some of you come here looking for advice on issues concerning your community - that's what brought me to this website and so far, I haven't been disappointed. If I didn't come across a great idea, just listening to people describing their own experiences has prompted me to think about the issue from another matter. The ability to see things from a variety of perspectives is, I believe, the hallmark of a good leader.

But I also believe if the people lead, the leaders will follow. We don't like to admit that often, the primary reason shit happens in our community is due in part to homeowners who aren't paying attention. It's not always that they don't care, it's that they brought into this myth that if you live in a homeowner's association, someone else will deal with the donkey work (at a really, really low price!) and you get to go on and do whatever. We don't always remember that you didn't just buy a house or condo or townhouse, you brought a neighborhood. If you want your neighborhood to be a certain way, you have to get involved to make it so - and you'll need to hook up with like-minded people to do it.

That's why I sometimes get annoyed when people complain about their HOA, but will not do anything to try and change things because it takes too long, they don't want to be talked about or stared at or ridiculed, etc. Nothing great happens by you just sitting there, and as many on this site have pointed out, this is your home and no one will care about it more than you.

In time, it may be that people will start rethinking whether every new community has to have a HOA and you may only see them with condos and townhouse communities, but until then, find a way to get involved in your community - starting with simply attending your annual meeting is fine. And whatever you do, vote! Remember, however, that voting is just the beginning. Regardless of who gets elected, whether it's your HOA board or the Presidency, you still have to hold people accountable, read up on the issues and let them know what you think.

For those of you who serve or have decided to serve, thank you - I'll say it, if no on else will! Just remember, it's not about you - good leaders strive to make decisions that will benefit everyone. Sometimes, this means making tough decisions that people won't like and they'll say so. Sometimes, you'll have to deal with malcontents that will try to undermine everything you do. Occasionally, it may mean you get outvoted - only for people to see that you had a valid point all along. If you can't deal with any of that, consider whether community leadership is for you - it really isn't for everyone, but that's ok too.

So, that's my sick, twisted, bigoted opinion(!) - now go forth and vote and have a nice day!

Nice thoughts, Shelia.

The only time I have a problem with people who do not vote is when they express contempt for one or more candidates. These folks speak haughtily, but afaic uninformedly, of how, say, immoral both parties and their candidates are. To these non-voters I ask: Sincerely, why are they not willing to run for office, instead of just complaining? and (2) history demonstrates that usually, compromise is the only way to progress. I do not think any of us like compromise, but I rarely begrudge a government leader's choice to do so. Being a government leader is a hard job. (And to those who say get rid of all government: Right. We'd be at each others' throats without: the police force; someone making sure corporations are not risking life and limb with their employment practices; someone to oversee roads.) The system we have here may be terrible, but the evidence points to a great deal of difficulty coming up with a better one. I think the intellectually honest will admit that life today is easier than 50 years ago; and 100 years ago; and 200 years ago; going on back. Governments chisel away at making life better.

I think it's interesting that around 55% of the voting age eligible population votes in the presidential elections every four years. Yet the turnout for HOA elections is typically under 40%. Which government is going to have more effect on a person's life? Given that change is so slow at the federal and state government levels, I think it's the HOA governments that can have a greater effect (for good or bad) on a HOA. I mean, how many HOAs have gone underwater nationwide in the last ten years, with the concurrent deterioration of the neighborhood and property values? Whereas the federal and state governments do not shake things up nearly as quickly or as detrimentally.

I found that after being President, Vice-President, and a board member of my HOA... I learned to appreciate the democratic process in a new light. It's not on the large scale a President of the United States or Congress... However, it is still an elected position that involves campaigning. That experience changed my view on the candidates running. The work it takes and the responsibility they will undertake.

Funny thing is that I grew up in a liberal Democratic family. I am Republican. This election year was a complete internal turmoil of my core values. My moral center was extremely challenged. Many times I was told if I did not vote for the Top 2, that was "throwing away my vote". My view was if I voted for either of the two, I was throwing away my belief system...

Voting is still important even if support neither candidate. A vote is a vote whether it's for Mickey Mouse, the Libertarians/Green party, or for yourself. You vote your conscience they say. I say your never "throwing away" your vote once you hit the polls to cast one.

Just vote...

What happened to the later posts??? I was going to visit the HuffPo site that Sheila rec'd & it's gone.

Thanks, Richard. What are the bases for the censures?? One ws you saying you'd buy real estate in Italy, right?

I might be done with this site unless I can see a LOGICAL explanation for deleting 2- 4 posts. No profanity. No violence threatened. What????