How old were you when you first voted? Who was running for office? Whenever that was, and whatever the voting was for, the event made you...you!
I remember after I had turned 18, one of the first things I did was register to vote. Registering to vote was a welcomed rite of passage when turning 18 because it formally allowed you to exercise a fundamental constitutional right. During my first voting year, President Nixon was running for re-election against George McGovern. I was young and easily influenced by Nixon's administration and thought he deserved a second term. Unfortunately, his second term turned into a nightmare with Watergate.
After he was elected, his Vice President, Spiro Agnew, resigned, and Gerald Ford replaced him. Then when Nixon resigned over Watergate, Ford became President. Ford's place in history was cemented by the fact that he was the first Vice President and President never elected to office. He essentially 'inherited' both positions.
Through all the other election cycles since that first opportunity, I've consistently cast my vote for the person I thought was best for the job, regardless of the candidate's political party.
No matter who you think is the most appropriate candidate in any election, remember, we Americans have the responsibility to do our duty and go to the polls. So whether you vote in person or by mail, who you vote for makes you...you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's reflection on his first voting experience really hits home for many of us. That sense of civic responsibility doesn't end when we retire - in fact, it often becomes even more important. As retirees, we have unique perspectives on issues that affect our daily lives, from Social Security and Medicare policy to local property tax decisions that impact our fixed incomes.
A lot of people ask me whether their vote really matters as they get older, especially on financial issues. Here's the thing: many of the biggest decisions affecting retirees happen at the ballot box. Local elections determine property tax rates that affect your housing costs. State elections influence income tax policies on retirement distributions. Federal elections shape the future of Social Security benefits, Medicare Advantage plan regulations, and Required Minimum Distribution rules from your 401(k) or IRA.
Plus, as retirees, we often have something younger voters don't: time to research the candidates and issues thoroughly. That's a valuable contribution to our democracy, and it's one more way your experience and wisdom continue to make a difference.