"...BUT PLEASE VOTE."

“Render therefore to all their dues:  tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” ((Romans 13:7)

The above verse is taken from Romans chapter 13, the theme of which is “responsibility to civil authority”.  A careful reading and study of Romans 13 almost makes it seem like it was written by someone like Pat Buchanan.  It’s VERY  “law and order” and very pro government.  I will say, there’s another side to the whole “law and order” thing.  When the Nazi government demanded that “All Jews must now be rounded up,” for instance, does that mean Christians should have cooperated.  Of course not.  The balance to a chapter such as Romans 13 are statements like those in the book of Acts (cf. Acts 4:19 and Acts 5:29) which state that when the authorities contradict the Word of God, then God must be obeyed first and foremost.

Anyway, that above paragraph was just for clarification and to explain the theme of Romans 13.  Romans 13 is a chapter I reference to encourage people to do their civic duty.  Some Christians say, “I don’t pay ANY attention to politics.  I NEVER watch the news.  They’re all phonies and crooks anyway.  I just love Jesus.”  WHAT A COP OUT!   I believe chapters like Romans 13 tell us we ought to “watch the news”, follow politics, and get involved in our society.

If you’re not registered to vote, then it’s too late for this coming Tuesday, but if you ARE registered, the Massachusetts Presidential Primary is this Tuesday.  If you don’t know where you’re supposed to go to vote, call your City Clerk or Town Clerk’s office.  They can tell you.  I’m a registered Republican so I have to take a Republican ballot for a primary such as Tuesday.  (In general elections, I mostly vote for Republicans but I have been known to vote for both Democrats and Libertarians, and even the Reform Party on occasion.)  If you’re a registered Democrat or Republican, then you’ll have to take the Democrat or Republican ballot they hand you and vote accordingly.  In Massachusetts, independent or “unenrolled” people CAN vote in the primary.  In that case, you choose either a Democrat or Republican ballot,  and there’s usually a procedure right there at the polls where you can “switch right back to be unenrolled”.

If the Patriots win (well, WHEN they win) there will be a big Patriots parade in downtown Boston on Tuesday.  I plan to go in to the parade.  Tuesday is my day off!  BUT, I plan first and foremost to vote on Tuesday.

I grew up in Canton, Massachusetts.  Canton had a longtime Town Clerk and State Representative named Maurice J. Ronayne.  He was one of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet.  He used to say, “Vote as you please, but please vote”.  Thus, that’s my inspiration for the title and the posting.