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Get out and vote! | |
Posted Nov 5, 2012 - 9:14:21
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 So Tuesday is one of the most important days of 2012: Election day. Our nation is going to decide yet again who is in control and what we, as a nation, stand for.
I don't really hide that I'm a Democrat and consider the words Liberal and Progressive badges of pride - and while I'd like you to vote in line with my opinions in an ideal world, that's not my focus today - what I want to say is that (regardless of your politics) you need to make sure you vote in the first place.
The singular power of the citizen in a Democratic Republic is one that is too easy to take for granted. As a citizen of the United States, you have an obligation to get out and make sure your voice is heard.
One of the reason so many people feel like politicians ignore the needs of many segments of our population is because they don't vote in the first place. You want to know why politicians cater to seniors? Because they vote. You want to know why politicians cater to the religious right? Because they vote.
Politicians ignore people they think won't come out to the polls. Politicians ignore the people they think will just stay home. Politicians, like anyone else, ignore anyone who won't cost them their job.
So if you get your ass up and get to the polls tomorrow, you will make sure you are heard. Even if your candidate of choice loses, suddenly you'll be a part of the group that's counted in the first place. When the analysts and pundits look at the numbers afterwards, you'll be taken into consideration. I know that people don't like to be thought of as statistics, but trust me - this is one you want to be counted in.
And there's one more thing - by voting, even if your candidate loses, you'll be granted one additional privilege: the right to bitch about how things are run. Because if there's one thing I can't stand, it's someone who chose not to vote complaining about how our country is run. If you're not doing your part of the job, you don't get to complain about it. Period.
- Traegorn
On Gaia online I once tried to explain to this girl(or boy) that she needed to vote. She was saying wasn;t going to vote because of the 2 party system and that both candidates sucked in her opinion.
So she said she wouldn't vote because she felt screwed either way. So I told her the right response that she can't complain then after the election. She then said that was very shallow that she should be able to complain because she doesn't like the system. So my only response after that was, if she does complain after and admits she didn't vote, I will say STFU and ignore her for the rest of the argument.
So I agree you can't piss and moan if you don't vote(when you are of age too). I did piss and moan back in 2004 but I was only 16 then and then when I turned 18 in 2006. I voted and blocked the rest of Bush's agenda that I could and I don't regret it. I don't regret voting for Obama in 2008 either.
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