I will never forget November 7, 2006. After waiting 7 years(that's right, I've been waiting to vote since I was 11 years old), I was finally able to have a say in who runs my country, my state, and my town. Now, I guess you could say, they really are MINE. I'm not just dealing with what "adults" choose for me anymore, I have a stake in what happens now. I can no longer blame my problems on others, because now I have a vehicle for change.
In my AP Government class, we just got done with a chapter about elections. Most of what I learned wasn't all that surprising to me. However, one thing was very surprising, and frankly it made me very angry. We learned that only about 50% of eligible voters actually vote in elections. To me, this is very disappointing. As someone who has been interested in politics for my entire life, I have never been able to understand why someone would just not vote, and for the number of people who bitch and moan about how our country is being run, you would think that they would be able to get up off the couch for 15 minutes and vote.
My textbook offered several explanations for the lack of voter turnout in America. One idea is that people don't register to vote because it's so hard to do. Oh, please. As a registered voter, I can say that this is the worst excuse I have ever heard. It took me 5 minutes, tops, to register to vote. It's not like it costs any money to register either. I my town you just hand your voter registration form to a DMV employee and they mail it for you.
Another possible explanation is that the American people just don't care about politics anymore. I could buy into this theory except for the fact that everyone and their dog constantly complain about how the government is run. Personally, I don't appreciate this. If you don't vote, you should absolutely not be allowed to complain. Complaining is no way to achieve change. If you don't like the way the country is being run, then get out there and vote for someone who you think would do a good job! It's really not that hard...
Both of these excuses simply boil down to laziness, and in all honesty, I cannot stand lazy people. Especially lazy people who complain and don't act. So just for the record, if you ever sit there and complain to me, expect your mouth to get duct-taped shut. And no, I'm not kidding.
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I was thinking how interesting it would be to read on why you needed some Duct tape. Now I know.
I know exactly what you mean! I hate when people are old enough to vote and to cast their opinion, and don't, and THEN they complain! If you vote, then you can complain.
And the waiting 7 years to vote thing, I know exactly how you feel there, too. I've been wanting to vote for YEARS! Sadly, my 18th birthday is on the 22, so I was three weeks short of being allowed to. There's always next election, right?
Food for thought:
George Carlin said that you should be able to complain especially if you didn't vote, on the grounds that what's annoying you isn't your fault.
Devil's advocate out.
--Samus
(if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention)
I agree with you in the sense that, if you are old enough to vote, you should. Vote on everything you could possibly care about. Vote for mayor, sheriff, those little bills they try to pass in minor elections. If you are eligible and you choose not to vote, then you have absolutely no reason to complain. It IS your fault in the sense that you CHOSE to abstain. So live with your decision.