Monday, November 5, 2012

Why It Is So Important To Vote

To be a citizen of this country we have certain rights and privileges. We also have certain responsibilities to be active in positive change. Society is a form of extended family. We all contribute to society, either in a positive way or a negative way. To vote is to give a voice in playing a role in positive change. Many men died for our right to vote, as well as the other rights we now take for granted. Women could not vote for many years because they were not considered an important part of decision making. Now we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place and we now have the right to do so. Women more than ever now should exercise their right to vote. All policies are made by the elected officials we get into office. All policies affect each and every citizen. Each one of us has a duty to leave the world a better place for the next generations because we lived. We can and should be aware of policies and officials. We should read the news and understand the direction our country is going in. Many important, critical issues are at hand currently. Healthcare issues are among the top of the list. Social Security for the aging and the disabled is in jeopardy. Even though these issues may not affect you right now, the day will come that they will affect you. Also, the issues are not just about us but about doing the best we can do for all citizens. The elderly should be our responsibility to care for them the best we can. They have worked all of their lives to make the world better for us and it is now our turn to see that they are properly cared for with issues such as Medicare, Social Security etc. Our children are also equally important and the primary education system is at risk for falling behind. We need to be proactive to make change for our children and future generations to come. Education is critical, many other countries are way ahead of us and we are falling behind. Legislation is where it all begins. We have had many devastating disasters recently and have seen many of our citizens not receiving the help needed, such as with Katrina. Federal funds are determined by legislation. We have many poor relations with many countries right now; we desperately need politicians in office who can work for peaceful relations with other countries. We have rising educational costs with colleges, which require effective solutions to ensure that we have educated adults entering the work force, without the funds available many will not get the education and the country will suffer. Crime is rising nationwide, prisons are failing and we need better solutions to deviant behavior. Mental health population is suffering due to lack of funds and interest from our leaders. Jobs are being outsourced to other countries mainly China. Immigration controversies are a huge issue now. We, as a people should stand together instead of being divided. The government represents the people and they are employed by the people. The people are made up by each and every citizen. The government and politicians have taken over our country and fail to listen to the people. We need to remind Washington DC that they do not dictate policy but assert the policies the people want.


Drug use, abuse, and addiction are at an all-time high. The drug situation is a host of multiple problems. Every time a person buys illegal drugs the money goes towards terrorism, which we are fighting a war against. We have addiction centers popping up all over the country, leading to increased medical costs that society absorbs due to most of the addicts not working and welfare footing the bill. WE have AID's which is leading to many other diseases to be on the rise. We have science looking for cures to diseases such as cancer. We still have issues like abortion, which are very controversial. We have a society at risk for losing the leadership status with the world. The list goes on and on. Watch the news and see all of the problems and think about the root of the problem, how we can solve the problems, and what it will take to get the job done. Many citizens today want the benefits of society but do not want to do their part in making good things happen. Life is not about taking, it is about giving. The old wise saying rings true today, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" by JFK. We need to be a strong country once again....it can happen but each and every one of us must do our part. We are either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Why is it important to participate in the democratic process by voting? That's an interesting question with several different ways in which to answer it. Voting is the foremost way to exhibit good citizenship and civil responsibility.

First, voting in free elections is a right that should not be taken lightly. Millions of people in the United States and around the world have fought and even died for the seemingly simple right to vote. Should their sacrifices just fade away into some distant memory? Voting is a patriotic act and everyone should participate. By voting, a person conveys that sense of patriotism that he/she cares enough about the direction of the country to exercise the power available to millions and millions of people to make their voices heard.

Second, no matter how much a person feels their single vote does not count, they are dead wrong. In the mayoral election in Ann Arbor in 1977, the outcome was decided by a single, solitary vote. As another example, John F. Kennedy won the Presidential election of 1960 by as small a margin as one vote per election district in 12 states. If every person believes that his or her vote doesn't matter, the sheer volume of non-voters will destroy the democratic process.

Third, voting is the principle means of a representative government. The Framers left the future of the country in the hands of its citizens. How can a government be representative if roughly 45-50 percent of eligible voters don't vote? This makes a government only representative to half of the country.

In conclusion, everyone should recognize the importance of voting and act accordingly. Rather than just sit back and complain when something the government does isn't in your best interest, get out and vote and make a difference. Eligible voters who refuse to do so have absolutely no right to complain when they did nothing at all to protect their interests when they have that exact power.

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