10/18/00 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

GET INTO THE GAME

An important date is right around the corner. Circle November 7th on your calendars so the day won't fly by unobserved. It's our civic and Christian duty to be at our neighborhood polling places and to make our votes count. God knows, now is not the time to sit safely back in our apathy chairs waiting for others to make important decisions that will affect us and the whole world.

In honor of our beloved football season, perhaps a sports analogy will help us visualize our participation in the life God has given us.

As in every good game, the stadiums are full of all kinds of people. We need to figure out which one we are so we can do our jobs a little better.

*Water boy. He's not skilled enough to be on the team struggling out on the field to win the all-important game, but at least he's aiding in their goals. If you relate to the water boy, then you should be working behind the scenes to get people out to vote, displaying yard signs and bumper stickers for candidates of your choice, or even working in a campaign office. Water boys know that they are important even though they are just one person!

*Coach. The coaches work to motivate their players on to victory, make plans for practices, and take care of many details. If you're a coach personality, you are actively walking the streets, making phone calls, rounding up people to take to the voting booths, organizing mailings, or maybe even a paid campaign staff member.

*Player. If you are fully invested in the outcome of the game, in this case the election results, you are running for a neighborhood, local, state, or federal office. Your clear-cut goals are to win and to bring your team to victory. You are willing to make the sacrifices in order to be part of something bigger than yourself.

*Umpire. Your skills are invaluable to the game. Statistical knowledge, familiarity with the rules, and being in charge of keeping order are your duties. Do you voluntarily work at the polls or voting office? Do you get the facts about candidates and amendment issues out to friends and family? If so, then you are an ump.

*Cheerleader. These athletes are not actively playing in the game, but their sole duty is to spur on the players. They are there for morale and support. You may be a cheerleader if you are a champion of causes, don't mind putting in long hours to be part of a bigger team, and are tireless.

*Sponsor. No good team can compete without sponsorship providing money, equipment, and direction. If you aren't willing or able to play, perhaps you'll find satisfaction by donating time and financial help to get good, moral candidates elected.

*Bleacher Sitter. Many of us fall into this category. While the teams actively participate in the game down on the field, we are happy to sit back and watch. Yes, we cheer for our candidate/players, but do nothing of real value to help them win, until our voices are all raised in one loud cry to urge them on in a rousing wave. Even if you are a bleacher sitter, you can affect voting results if you ban with others to support your candidate, and make sure you get to the stadium/poll on time.

*Arm Chair Quarterback. The ACQ is the most useless of all game participants, and sadly characterizes the vast majority of Americans. We have done nothing to affect the outcome of the game, and generally sit back and criticize the results. We've not had the gumption to get up from our lazy boy recliners and make the time to do something proactive. We have nothing real invested in the outcome of the match. Shame on all of us apathetic couch potatoes!

Please take the time to evaluate your part in the election of candidates that make the rules that you will live by. It's important, and never too late to join the team in some capacity. The great thing about voting is that you don't even have to go through grueling tryouts and you will never get cut or traded!

May God bless our officials and leaders so that they may guide us in His will as a community, state, and nation. Amen.