Good evening Steemians!
I've been doing quite a bit of reading about the Steemit ecosystem, and today I've decided it's time to participate in Steemit's democratic system and cast my votes for witnesses.
If you're wondering what Steemit Witnesses are, check out my interview with 
Hive account@timcliff at this link where we discuss not only witnessing, but he also shares his journey with Steem, and gives advice to the new users of the platform.
Every Steemit user is allowed 30 witness votes, and they can be changed at any time. As I read more about Steemit's witnesses, I will eventually use all 30 votes, as I believe every single one of us should. Today, I will be casting votes for just 4 witnesses. More on that below.
Why should you care about Witnesses?
Steemit Witnesses are in charge of making a number of decisions that affect Steem currency and Steemit users alike, including hardforks, which are updates in the software, adjustments to Steem as a currency to manage SBD's (this subject was discussed in the Hive account@timcliff interview, if you are interested), and many more. These are just a few examples of how important Witnesses are to Steem, and how important it is for Steemians to cast our votes.
In this sense, Steem as a currency is democratic, which is something I am fully behind. Votes for Witnesses can be cast or withdrawn at any time, and at no cost to our voting power.
Today, I'm voting for following votes witnesses:
Hive account@timcliff : This might not be a surprise, as I interviewed him just a week ago, but Tim's involvement with Steem and his dedication are without question. He is a well known Witness who prides himself on being ethical and fair. Feedback from my audience about Tim was hugely positive, and it's no surprise to me that Tim is one of the top witnesses on Steemit
Hive account@aggroed and 
Hive account@ausbitbank : From very close to the beginning of my experience on Steemit, Hive account@aggroed & Hive account@ausbitbank have been a great help to me, but more importantly their initiative of PAL/MSPWaves, also known as the Minnow Support Project, is an endeavor to be hugely commended. If Steem is to succeed, as I will work to ensure, it will be these types of initiatives that will be necessary for its success.
Hive account@pfunk : Being a drummer myself, I like the idea that there is a witness who has been supporting the musician community on Steemit. I read about pfunk's involvement through a post from 
Hive account@luzcypher who is the host of the open mic contest, which runs every week. His post can be found here.
I invite you, if you have not already done so, to join me in voting for your Steem Witnesses on this page
To all Steemians, I ask which witnesses are you voting for, and why?
