Why I vote

 I vote because I was always taught if I don't stand up for what I believe in, I cannot complain about it.  This is an aspect of my personal and professional life. 

I vote because my right to my body as a woman is always up for debate in America. Frankly, I'm over it! If insurance companies are willing to provide Viagra for men, they should not complain or make excuses about providing birth control for those who need it. 

I vote because most of America considers menstrual products "luxury items" and taxes them accordingly, but only 1 state in the country (IL) taxes Viagra. As a woman I promise you there is NOTHING luxurious about a period. These are essential health care items and should be treated as such.

I vote because I know that my existence on Earth is temporary and we must value Earth, protect Earth and preserve her for future generations.  We are not energy independent until we no longer rely on fossil fuel, coal and natural gas. These resources are finite, we must invest in the infrastructure and development of solar, wind and hydro-electric power. 

I vote because we need tax reform to fund the type of society and environment I want to live in. If we want strong public education, we need to pay taxes. If we want to fix our aging highway system and local roads, we need to pay taxes.  If we want access to a better healthcare system, we need to pay taxes. If we want clean air, clean water, maintained forests, we need to pay taxes.   If we want social security to help support us when need it, we need to pay taxes.  If we want a military to protect us, we need to pay taxes. Money doesn't grow on trees and nothing in life is free, if we want better systems, plans and programs, we need taxes to pay for them.  We need tax reform because billionaires and major fortune 500 corporations pay less in taxes than teachers and that's deplorable.

I vote because as a person with a disability who teaches young people with disabilities I value their place in society. I value myself and my students as citizens who should have full rights in our country.  Because a disabled person should be allowed to marry without losing their access to benefits. Because a disabled person should be allowed to save for their futures, make more than minimum wage, and still be able to access local, state and federal services for skills, support and independence.   

I vote because I am a teacher; because I value public education and America's continued investment in it.  I attended a private high school. That was my family's person choice and what was best for me at the time, but I do not believe that private school should garner monies from public schools based on a family choice. I believe we need to do a better job of equitably enhancing our public education system so that families want to stay in their home schools. 

I vote because I am union strong. I understand the history of the labor movement, the sacrifices that have been made to allow me the privileged of an 8 hour work day, of sick days and personal time. I understand the power in unions and have witnessed first hand what transformational work they can do. 

I vote because it is not only a right but a responsibility to share my desires for the future of this country. 

I vote because I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror if I didn't. 

Make your voice heard, make sure you have a voting plan. If you don't go to vote.org to make a voting plan.  

Signing off for now

-C