Election Day - More than a Wave

Same time next year?

Every election day I write basically the same post. That is, it's not just important to vote in the big contests. It's important to vote every election.

Because the politicians who can impact your daily life aren't always in Washington. Sometimes, they're at the state capitol. Sometimes, they're governing your county, your city, or your town.

Suppose the party you like takes control of the Federal Government -- but the other party has control of the State House. You can bet that there will be lots of roadblocks to Federal mandates, and perhaps even some countering state laws as well.

What if your town council is mostly made up of folks who have the opposite political view as you? Get ready for new ordinances, taxes, and/or fees you won't like.

We just had a big fight over the Supreme Court nominee. If you had strong opinions about, you should know that many states elect their judges. Sit out an off-year election, and a member of the party you don't like could end up sitting on your state supreme court, appellate court, trial court, or (in some cases), even probate court.

The rulings in those courts will affect you and your community, and perhaps more directly than those of the Supreme Court.

Many law enforcement officials are elected. Some are quite competent, others are just political hacks. How qualified do you want the person in charge of public safety (and your personal security) to be?

This election is important. But don't vote and think it's over until 2020. Every election matters. Because every election shapes some aspect of our government -- local, state, federal.

When it comes to freedom, we should all sweat the small stuff. Because that's where the erosion starts.