With only two weeks before the Primary, early voting has started, and we are anxious to find out who the candidates will be in the November election. When I read the following article, it made me realize just how far we have come, but what we have lost is the most important part of our senses. You may agree with the following ..........

An Obituary printed in the London Times ... LONDON, February 7, 2012

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-yearold boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.  It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. 

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, launched a lawsuit and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights
- I Want It Now
- Someone Else Is To Blame
- I'm A Victim
- Pay me for Doing Nothing

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

ABSENTEE VOTING INFORMATION

By Mail

Requesting a ballot for yourself:

• Send a handwritten note requesting a ballot be mailed to you.

• Include your full name, residence address, telephone number, and Mailing address.

• For primary elections, please include your party affiliation. Unaffiliated voters must specify which party ballot you are requesting. If none specified, a non-partisan ballot will be sent.

• Your personal signature is required (power of attorney is NOT accepted)

Requesting a ballot for a near relative:

(spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, father/mother in-law, son/daughter in-law, step-parent, or stepchild)

• Send a handwritten note requesting a ballot be mailed to your relative.

• Include their full name, residence address, telephone number, and mailing address.

• Be sure to sign YOUR name, state your relationship to the voter and include your residence address.

Mail Absentee Requests to:
Moore County Board of Elections
PO Box 787
Carthage, NC 28327

Returning the ballot:

• Once completed, place your ballot in the return ballot envelope provided.

• Securely seal the envelope.

• Complete the form on the return envelope and sign it in the presence of one witness. (witness must be at least 18 years of age)

• Be sure to have the witness provide their address and sign the envelope also.

• When returning by mail, affix sufficient postage as we cannot pay any postage due.

If hand delivering, the ballot MUST be brought in by you or a near relative

By One-Stop

• The One-Stop Absentee Voting period begins two weeks before the Election and ends the Saturday before the Election at 1:00pm.

• Any registered voter in Moore County can go to the One-Stop voting site during the One-Stop period and vote in-person.

• NC law allows residents to register and vote during the One-Stop Absentee Voting period. For more information, click here.

One-Stop Absentee Voting takes place at:
Moore County Agricultural Center
707 Pinehurst Ave
Carthage, NC 28327