I am currently an 18 year old high school student who has been intrigued by politics since the age of 8. As I have grown up and seen 2 presidential elections since my addiction on the subject began I have noticed that many Americans take the voting process for granted. I decided on Friday for my schools dress down (I go to parochial school), that I would take a white t-shirt and a sharpie, and write Obama '08 on the front and go around in school and have supporters sign it. The teachers and students gave me a stunning response of support, considering many people believe my generation is indifferent on their future. This little project spilled to my local mall after school where young passer-bys either cheered or offered to sign themselves. In an odd turn of events, many of the older people that stopped to talk to me about the reasoning behind my interest, repetitively said they weren't even sure if it was worth voting!
Now, i know this is only a small group of the population, but i don't care whether one is red or blue (go blue!), black or white, young or old, rich or poor, every American needs to vote, especially in one of America's most important elections. We are facing America where the middle class has disintegrated, and the people who were once there, now fall either at poverty level or an upper income level. Many of my friends and acquaintances have unfortunately befallen to the low income status. Many believe they can't trust either candidate. They don't trust Obama's inexperience and the believe McCain only wants to help those who already have the money, and with his track record well duh! It's time for people to start standing up for what they believe in. Today in America indifference reigns over the population, but it's about time we start to study up on the candidates and we begin to care. Study up on every candidate , 3rd party and all, and stand up for what you believe in. This country is in trouble, and indifference can not prevail!!!!!!!!
I cannot agree with you more, voting is every American citizen's most basic and important civic duty. However the sad fact remains that a large percentage of people do not and will not vote, much less study every candidate at anything more than a cursory level. In fact, this is something the founding fathers counted on. They knew that the average American would not have the time or motivation to be involved in politics at a deep level, which is why our government is a representative democracy and not a direct one. So yes, I do agree that every citizen should vote and be able to base that vote on a solid understanding of who they are really voting for, but I know that day will never come, and I can take comfort in the fact that the founding fathers knew it as well.