I guess I shouldn’t have a sour taste about elections, but I cringe when it’s that time again. Let me explain. I am proud to have this right to case my ballot and have my voice be heard. 

It’s not lost on me that this is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment where women won the right to vote. I can barely stomach politics on non-election years and here we go again with the negative ads and mean banter online. 

I know we don’t live in a Pollyanna world where everything is sunshine and lollipops, but I hold on to the hope for common courtesy and respect. Did you know it’s ok to have a difference of opinion and still not be rude about it? It is true. 

I don’t readily share which “side” I vote for and I won’t now. Is it important for you to know? I don’t think so. I know what I believe, what I want and what I hope for. Period. You don’t have to yell, post or make fun of any candidate or the people who vote for them. This will not sway me. 

I have been turned off by my party and also by the one I generally don’t vote for because of bad behavior in the real, daily world. This is not a new experience that is McMinnville specific, but it started while I was living in Knoxville. 

My first voting experience was the presidential election in 1992. I learned all I could about the candidates and their stances regarding the issues at hand. This is still my procedure in trying to figure out who is going to get my vote. With as much information I find it still comes down to voting for the lesser of the two evils. 

It was nice just voting and not hearing everyone’s opinion about every little or big thing. I’m not saying I prefer having my head in the sand, but people seemed more tolerant. 

Before social media I liked a lot more folks. I was blind to what lengths people go to in declaring their rightness. I put these folks in the “now I know” category and move on. 

There’s no need to argue or engage with their freedom of speech. I choose to live and let live. But can’t we do that without being abrasive and insensitive to how we can make others feel on any side of the fence?

Some friends and acquaintances have shared their memes and news articles that basically boil down to how they are right and if you don’t agree you are wrong. 

How delightful. With the good of having my voice heard by voting I will white knuckle through hearing others voice their opinions. 

Hopefully it will be thoughtful, with respect and open minded. Excuse me, my Pollyanna is showing again. 

Standard reporter Jennifer Woods can be reached at 473-2191.