Even Charlie Brown knows voting

Well, Washington County voters, it’s that time again.

If you didn't vote early or by mail, it’s time to get out your eyeglasses, travel to your favorite voting place, and do your thing that will most certainly affect your future. Or stay at home and your failure to vote will most likely help elect some folks who in all likelihood will impact your life anyway.

July 19 is the day of reckoning in Maryland. It’s the primary election established to identify those political candidates who will move on for a final vote in November.

There are a great many candidates competing for your vote with some even talking about the importance of our community, country and future.

Have you done your homework on your choices, or are you one of those rare voters who strolls into the voting booth and votes for your pal, the best-dressed person, or those folks with the most teeth holding an American flag? Are you looking for a little honesty and integrity when you mark your ballot? Can you ask your favorite candidate a question and get an honest answer? Once elected, will your candidate return phone calls?

Do your candidates have a real interest in the community’s future, or are they just play-acting a bit to entice you and collect a few salary dollars for their retirement beach home?

Do you believe only one political party tells the truth while the other spews lies and discontent? Do you always vote your political affiliation and disregard the rest?

I must admit I find it a bit strange that many voters supported a political newcomer with the credentials of a Donald Trump in 2016, and then turned him out to pasture for some lifetime politician to replace him in 2020.

Many prognosticators are already making book that Mr. Trump’s successor with current low approval ratings and teleprompter problems will be shown the door in 2024. God bless him.

In 1972, I still remember vividly how President Richard Nixon was reelected and carried 49 out of 50 states and got 520 electoral votes and 60% of the popular vote. Unfortunately, his presidential tenure ended in disgrace when he resigned the presidency because of some rather unsavory behavior in spying on the opposite party.

I couldn’t find many people later who admitted voting for Nixon after his resignation.

And then I’m sure you most likely recall those X-rated shenanigans of President Clinton and his escapades of salacious behavior in the White House during his tour of duty.

Politics make for a strange profession. Selecting a worthy candidate for various positions can be a chore.

Sometimes noble leaders and their character fall short of expectations, and at the end of the day the voter shares in the culpability for electing them.

Washington County has a slew of candidates to consider for local and state offices. Some of them have many years of good experience while others not so much. Have you studied each candidate?

Is ethical behavior an important consideration when you vote for your candidate of choice? Will your candidate do the right thing when no one is looking?

Do your favorite candidates' promises appear realistic? Will they strive to build a future that includes an opportunity for you to work and provide for your family? Will they be good custodians of your tax dollars and budget and spend wisely? Are they prepared to solve problems? Will they make those tough decisions that sometimes aren’t popular, or will they seek to make popular decisions to help ensure reelection?

Many local and state positions are up for grabs; the campaign signs have dotted the neighborhoods; and now it’s time for you to choose. Are you up to the task?

Have you taken time to get to know the folks who will impact your future, or will you pull names like pulling a rabbit out of a hat? Voters can be fickle, for sure.

Being in politics is tough. Selecting the right candidate is even tougher.

And it was Charles Schulz of "Peanuts" fame who left us with this wise cartoon anecdote to consider:

Lucy: Life is a mystery, Charlie Brown … Do you know the answer?

Charlie Brown: Be kind, don’t smoke, be prompt, smile a lot, eat sensibly, avoid cavities and mark your ballot carefully …

Before you vote in the July 19 primary, do yourself a favor and thoroughly examine each candidate’s credentials.

And then, just like Charlie Brown, "mark your ballot carefully."

Even Charlie Brown knows voting!

Lloyd "Pete" Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Election day looms for voters going to polls for Md. July 19 primary