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Aug 31, 2004 As August rounds the corner into September and the election draws ever closer, I've been hearing more and more talk about how to best "get out the vote." Intelligent looking individuals on television have proclaimed that each and every person should exercise their constitutional right to vote. Articles have been published about how too few people take advantage of this right. Concerned citizens have excitedly told me of plans to volunteer their own time on voting day to drive people to the booths, and to entice them with candy and other treats if they are reluctant to cast a vote. This disturbs me. Call me young. Call me naive. Call me a silly sixteen year old who hasn't yet had the opportunity to mark a ballot, but still, strangely, I have always thought of voting as a serious responsibility. Each and every person who goes to the voting booth on election day has a little slice of power. They have the power to have a voice, no matter how small, in our elected government representatives, and by extension people's lives. Because of that, we would do well to remember that with all power inevitably comes responsibility, and such should not be taken lightly. As each person casts a vote and makes "their voice be heard," as is continually encouraged, they are contributing to an enormous decision that directly affects the lives of Americans. They then, should have the responsibility of educating themselves as to for what they are voting. The "Get Out the Vote" movement disturbs me, because it undermines the responsibility of voting, and serves to base an election on apathy. Anyone who has taken the time to familiarize themselves with current issues at hand and has an opinion on them will get themselves to the voting booth in the right amount of time. Those that don't know what's going on with current politics, or don't care enough to have an opinion, don't have any business contributing to what is a serious and important decision. All of the energy that is being used to get out the vote would be much better spent finding creative ways to get more people interested in politics in the first place. Is there any movement get more people reading about the issues, watching the news, and familiarizing themselves with war pros and cons, abortion opinions, gay marriage support and opposition, gun rights, national security, economy 101, et cetera? That is where the "get out the vote-ers" should be focusing their energy. These are fascinating issues that if you don't know much about them, you should not be voting in the first place. It has been said that in a democracy, citizens get the leaders they deserve. I think that's true. If we are bribing our apathetic citizens with candy to drag them down a couple of blocks and into a voting booth to punch a couple circles in a piece of paper, we don't deserve much. Hopefully by the time election day rolls around Americans will wake up and realize that voting is serious. Those that do not take it as such need not be bribed, forced or pushed into participating. Remember, in a truly free country, you have the liberty to vote, and also to abstain. ------------ About the author: Natalie Amethyst is an opinionated high school junior who loves to write, travel, ski, ride horses, and debate politics. She hopes to become more involved in politics, as well as spend her life writing all over the world. Email: natalie3_8@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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