It's NOT Somebody Else's Problem

"An SEP," he said, "is something that we can't see, or don't see, or our brain doesn't let us see, because we think that it's somebody else's problem. That's what SEP means. Somebody Else's Problem. The brain just edits it out, it's like a blind spot. If you look at it directly you won't see it unless you know precisely what it is. Your only hope is to catch it by surprise out of the corner of your eye."
Ford Prefect, Life the Universe & Everything

This election is definitely all of our problem. Make no mistake, no matter which way it falls at midnight, something is going to be different. Someone new with new policies and new ideas and new ways of doing things will be preparing to take over the highest office in this country. And, regardless of the recent decline in US popularity globally, this man will still walk among the most powerful, most influential leaders in the world as Primus Inter Pares, First Among Equals.

As my mother taught me, no matter who sits in the Oval Office, it is my duty to accord honor to the Office. Not the man. The man will change, but the mantle of the Office will remain. Once it is laid across the shoulders of someone, that someone is due all the honor of the Office. It is the man's duty not to sully the honor given him, but regardless, the honor remains.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due to them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honour to whom honour is due.
Romans 13:1-7, emphasis mine

So, even if you think that out of the 300,000,000 people in this country, we got the sticky side of the lollipop with the four folks on the presidential ballot, go get in line and vote anyway. There are doubtless other items on the ticket you also need to consider. Local items which will have more immediate effect on your personal life anyway.

Vote.

Or don't b!tch.

The choice is yours. It's NOT Somebody Else's Problem.

Hat Tip to Emily for the pic!