Over the past six days FoG has become a bit political. I typically try to avoid such topics here but I believe Georgia amendment one is worthy of discussion by voters. I believe this for three reasons.

First, the wording of the amendment to be intentionally misleading. What is being presented on the ballot as a measure to improve competitiveness is really an amendment to restrain trade and enable the state to more broadly enforce employee non-compete contracts.

Second, the research on the topic from institutions such as Harvard's Kennedy School of Government conclude that such contracts limit employee movement, stifle innovation, and result in less new company formation.

Third it is important to stand up for what you believe in regardless of who believes otherwise or your chance of success.

Over the past six days the Georgia startup technology community has demonstrated its energy, passion, and strength. The effort has grown from a couple of guys exchanging direct messages one night to reaching tens of thousands of people online, creating an on-air conversation and endorsement by a major radio personality, and reaching an untold number of people in one on one conversations. Amazing work done during extra hours for free by some of the greatest startup people in the world.

Today I am going to go to the polls and vote. I am going to vote no on amendment one. If you are one of the 50,000 Georgians that have graced the pages of FoG I trust you will do your research and come to the same conclusion as me. If you are one of the subset of people whom I have met or communicated with I hope that you can use that experience to aid in your decision process.

Regardless of how you vote, vote. It is important that you pay attention. It's important that those in office know that you are paying attention.

For those of you that do not agree with me on this matter I respect the polite manner in which you have put up with the subject of amendment one over the past six days. For those of you that are more interested in entrepreneurship, technology startups, and growing companies that create jobs, regular FoG programming will return soon.