This is the year most of my friends turn 18, including myself, which is exciting, it means we can register to vote. Because this is an off year for the presidental race most of them seem to think, "oh, well, next year we can do it next yr, woop dee doo", but the thing is, our state has a small general election next month and several of us can vote now if we get going on it.
It drives me nuts how so many of them shrug it off. They register but they arent serious about voting. They "dont know anything about it" or whatever. My only response can be, "Well then, start researching."
It's important that we vote, I believe this so deeply. And it's important that we make ourselves informed on the issues so that we can vote effectively. Voting it a freedom that sets us apart from so much of the rest of the world and the only way to keep the America that we know and, at least somewhat, love is to vote and be involved in the process of our government.
A friend of mine told me how her mother doesnt make any decisions, just lets her husband vote for her and my friend told me that will probably be how she will handle it too, let her dad vote for her. When I heard that I wanted to shake her. Sure, it's not always easy following politics, and understanding resolutions or levees but it's important that we make the effort.
You pick what you eat, whether you choose something healthy or something that will kill you, you make a decision about it, and amazingly a lot of people are beginning to educate themselves about their choices. Why dont they handle politics similarly? Because the people elected into office shape the course of your life just the same.
I know a lot of my friends tend to think I take government and politics too seriously but I can't stand by and turn a blind eye. It's time that we stop this mentality that "someone else will handle it" and step up. Voting is like driving, it's a privelege and if we don't protect it and use it wisely, there is the distinct possibility that it can and will be taken away from us.
End Ramble. ;)
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