By Rey Post
Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty &
Host of the “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show
October 7, 2018
In an article published in the Atlantic, a question was asked that has great bearing on us, as we approach the mid-term elections on November 6.
Specifically, the author asked: “Which constitutional right is the most important? You might answer “freedom of speech” or “free exercise” of religion. Some think it’s “the right to keep and bear arms.” Criminal lawyers think of the guarantee against “unreasonable searches and seizures,” trial lawyers of jury trial in civil cases.
But which right appears most often in the Constitution’s text? It’s “the right to vote.”
In New Mexico—as it is elsewhere—registering to vote is relatively easy and actually voting can be done via early voting, absentee ballot voting; or actually casting a ballot the “old fashioned” way—go to you designated voting place on Tuesday, November 6. For information on how you can participate in this year’s important election, go to your state’s Secretary of State office website for information. In New Mexico the link is:
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Voter_Information/voter-information-portal.aspx
In another article penned exactly two years ago by meditation teacher and author, Sharon Salzberg, I found that her description about the circumstances surrounding the 2016 Presidential election, was ironically similar to the state we find ourselves in today.
Her observations are worth reviewing to remind us of not only the value of voting, but also the right and privilege this unique feature of our democracy offers to all of us:
“This election cycle has struck many of us as particularly intense—from public interactions between the candidates and their party officials, to the mutual attacks by voters on each other that can be found all over social media.
Voter-behavior seems to also be topic that the media has been covering with more focus these days. And while much of it’s noise, the stories that have resonated most with me have been those about people who aren’t planning on voting. This is a cause I care a lot about, in a very deep way.
I try my best to make a distinction between the feelings of anger and anxiety that can easily come up during election season, and the act of self-affirmation that is voting itself. As a meditation teacher, I not only feel compelled to vote, but to emphasize the imperative to vote.
It may seem strange to relate spirituality and voting, especially in a country where religion becomes the source of policy-related conflict during political debates. But the faith that I think about in the context of voting is completely non-partisan. It’s about recognizing voting as an immense form of freedom we’re given; we have the choice to participate in the outcome of our lives, the lives of others, and the country as a whole. Each of our influences on any outcome may be incremental, but it exists, and is a critical component of change. In that way, each one of our choices to step up and take action has immense impact—on each other, and on our world’s future.
Many years ago, during an election cycle, an acquaintance said to me, “The differences between candidates tend to feel so marginal.” I can’t even quite remember who she was talking about. But regardless of specifics, I think it’s critical to recognize even the smallest margins of difference in the choices we make—in an election, or any time. In this case, one candidate’s views on education may not be a high-stakes issue for you, but they may greatly affect another person (likely millions of people). All of us, millions of us, are greatly affecting each other each day. By voting, we honor that connection.
I’m told that in Australia, all citizens are registered to vote and actually pay a fine if they don’t vote. I like this model, though given the choice we have here, we actually have an invitation to pay attention to voting as a privilege, rather than a chore.
Voting is a privilege. It’s how we can show commitment to ourselves, to each other, to this country and to this world.”
So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation”—for the weeks leading up to the November election—is to remember this constitutionally granted right that each of us as registered voters possess, is to be treated as a great honor we as residents of this nation. Please take the time to cast your own ballot on November 6.
I also want to remind you that a place for you to learn about home buying and selling elements, is to join us each Sunday on the “All Things Real Estate” radio show at 12-2pm Mountain Time.
Also, if you go to my website, you can send me your own real estate questions, or suggestions for topics that he will handle on the program (that’s ATREradio.com). I will treat your questions confidentially and will send you answers I hope will help you in your own real estate activities.