Thomas Jefferson was fanatical about the decentralization of the Federal government, writing other than a military and printing money the states should be left in charge of their destiny.

Should he go on the Florida state Supervisor of Electrons web page, he would be pleased. Each of Florida’s 67 counties has a separate Supervisor of Elections, all of whom are ferocious about protecting the voting process. The elective process is further decentralized by the use of multiple voting precincts. Votes are made by blocking out with a pencil the block next to the candidates name, and later scanned electronically, or by some other means.

Voting by mail in Florida is equally protected. The Supervisor asks the registered voter if they would like to vote by mail. If a positive response is received, a ballot is mailed, candidates identified by the voter and returned in a sealed envelope signed as accurate by the voter. We voted this way in the Primaries, but will vote in person November 3.  Who you vote for is sacrosanct and none of mine or anybody else’s business.

Each election I confer with Lieutenant James F. Thames whose picture has lain on top of my printer for the past couple of decades. Jim was a college friend for a decade. As college kids walking down Jax beach, we seldom had serious conversations. What he would say to us is this: “That morning I pulled out into the river with my team and Vietnamese counterparts I looked back at the American flag flying over base camp. For all of us it knows no race, no creed and no gender. I went up that river on behalf of one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all its citizens.”

He knew that those who seek to divide us on either side of the spectrum should be challenged.

If you search for Jim on Google, you will find a tribute stating: 3rd Bronze Star with Valor, James F. Thames, Team Leader Seal Team One, killed in action January  19 1971.

VOTE!