When our founding fathers contemplated a government "of the people, by the people," they expected that free elections would guarantee this ideal. However, "by the people" requires us, the people, to vote. Despite the American lives that have been lost to secure this right, we continue to take it for granted.

Is it a right worth protecting if it is not an obligation we meet?

It is not enough just to vote. Democracy requires that we cast educated votes for the candidates who best represent our ideas and understand our needs.

We live in an information age where access to accurate information about a candidate's positions and policies is at our fingertips.

Why then do we choose to rely so often on rumor and innuendo, accusation and mischaracterization?

Do we take our freedom that lightly that we can't take a few moments to educate ourselves and cast an informed vote?

This November, Americans must do their part and vote. When they do, they must make sure it is with a clear understanding of who the candidates are and what they intend to do.

Every vote matters. Like the voices singing in a chorus, each is of equal import, whether or not they can be heard individually.