Write a commentRotarian Sandy Chunlan Braun recently spoke to the Oswego Rotary Club on the importance of registering and voting.
Braun was born and lived enslaved under the communist oppression of The People’s Republic of China for 33 years. She met her future husband in China, came to the U. S. on a fiancée visa in 2002, married her husband, and became an American citizen in October 2006. She knows from personal experience the consequences of living under a totalitarian regime. “When I lived in China, the terms ‘freedom’ and ‘choice’ were not in our vocabulary. The only thing we had to do was to shut up and obey.”
Braun speculated that if people around the world were asked in which country they would like to live, the most likely answer would be America. “Why? Because our forefathers laid down a unique foundation that no other country had — our Constitution.” The principles of that document enabled America to “. . . become the greatest nation in human history.” Our privilege of voting to select our leaders surely has played a crucial role in achieving that result.
Today, America faces an ominous array of cultural challenges and problems, making the role of voters even more significant than usual. “If good people don’t go to vote, it surely gives bad people an opportunity to do evil things. We should vote based on what is the best for our nation, not what is best for our own benefit or pockets.”
Braun declared, “voting is a privilege, a right, and also a duty.” She continued, “I was very astonished when I learned that in our county only 65% of citizens are registered to vote, and roughly half of registered voters actually did so.”
Concluding, Braun pledged, “I love America. I pray America will not turn to become more like the country I left. Not many days are left. Please remind your family and friends to register and vote.”
The last day one may register to vote is October 26. That is also the first day for early voting. The Oswego County Board of Elections office is located at 185 East Seneca Street, Oswego.
Oswego Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at Bishop’s Commons and the building is fully accessible with convenient parking. Visiting Rotarians and guests are welcome and may reserve lunch by contacting TGorman13126@Gmail.com.
