We’re about a month out from the presidential election. You and I will be invited to visit our respective polling places and cast our free vote, or conscience vote. In other words, we don’t have to vote a strict party line, we’re free to vote according to our conscience. Yeah, there’s that word again. Merriam-Webster defines the word conscience as “the part of the mind that makes you aware of your actions as being either morally right or wrong.”

Is this an historic presidential election? Sure. It is the first time a woman has ever been on the ballot representing one of our major parties. Regardless of how you may feel about Senator Clinton, the historical significance of the moment is clear. It is also an historic election due to the many decisions that will be made in this president’s time in office, decisions that will affect both our lives and the lives of our children and our children’s children. From Supreme Court nominees to refugees, to the threat of ISIS and the caretaking of our planet, this President will be involved in shaping the future course of our nation. True, the President never acts alone, there is always the House and Senate, advisers, committees, etc. But to say that the President is not instrumental in direction is naïve. He or she will be.

So this is not the time to check your brain at the door. You and I must take that part of our minds, our conscience, along with us into the polling booth. This must be a thought-full vote. 

The indication is that there are still a number of undecided voters, still a portion of the populace that is utilizing that part of their mind to decide what they will do come November 8th. A number of voices ask, “How in the world can you be undecided at this point?” It’s fine to ask that, but all they get to do is ask. Why? Because each American has the freedom to engage that part of our mind, our conscience, to guide our vote. We’re not animals, we’re not robots, and we’re not slaves. We are a free people, free to vote our consciences, and that is not a small thing in light of the way other countries and nations around the world are ruled. So vote. Let your conscience be your guide. And God bless America.