I’ve been thoroughly focused on local issues these past weeks, but I was pained to hear this morning that the pro-democracy protests in Myanmar turned ugly overnight, with a handful of Buddhist monks killed by police while engaging in peaceful protest.

We shouldn’t need reminders like this to cherish the freedom and democracy we’ve built, but keeping our democracy rich and thriving is key to lighting the way for other parts of the world where repression and fear still prevail.

This is why it’s important to vote. And why it’s important to keep an eye on the big picture.