Reasons not to vote abound. No, I’m wrong. They aren’t reasons. They’re excuses! And, frankly, they disgust me. Let’s take a look at some of them.
First there are the “poor me” justifications.
My vote doesn’t make any difference.
None of the candidates care about me.
I’m busy and don’t have time.
If you’ve spouted one of these, you must think it’s all about you.
Well, here’s a surprise. it’s not about you, or at least only you. It’s about me, all your neighbors, everyone in your local, state, and national communities. If “you” is multiplied by the thousands and thousands of “yous,” that one vote of yours increases to a number that can influence not only local elections but also state and national ones. If you don’t feel it’s worth your time to make a difference then, guess what, there won’t be a difference. Will that have validated your feelings that it’s all a waste of time?
Absolutely not! And no amount of self-justification will undo the harm you have created for the rest of us.
Next there are those so turned off by the elective process itself that they reject it by not voting.
It doesn’t matter who wins; they’re all the same.
They’re all crooks.
Money is all they care about, and the ones with the most win.
Not one of those statements is true. It definitely matters who wins. All candidates are not the same. If the recent past hasn’t made that clear, then rational thought has flown the coop. All candidates are not crooks. All have flaws. But that doesn’t make them crooks. How about those dedicated souls serving on school boards or as judges? How about John McCain or Jimmy Carter? To say several break the law so all break the law is a weak logical argument that says more about the person making it than I want to contemplate. I would be the first to complain about money in politics. I find it disgusting and an antithesis to the democratic spirit. Something must be done. But the one with the most money does not always win. There have been countless examples over the last several months.
Finally, there are the spoiled brats.
My candidate didn’t win the primary.
I like almost everything about him, but he’s wrong on an issue I care about.
Ah, yes, if I can’t have everything, and I mean everything, my way, then I’m not going to play. Reminds me of elementary school. Have we reached a point where everything is an absolute, and if it’s the wrong absolute we simply walk away? How childish and how selfish.
Here’s an incontrovertible fact. Whether you vote or don’t, someone is going to be elected to every position up for grabs. If you don’t vote, it seems to me you’re saying it’s okay for anyone to be elected. If that’s how you feel, I pity you, and I pity our country.
Most everyone I know takes civic duty seriously, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. For anyone else, let me beg you to participate in the democratic process. Maybe, just maybe, doing so will help save the country and improve local administration. So, please, please, please learn about the candidates and VOTE!
And if you’re not registered, DO IT NOW!
First there are the “poor me” justifications.
My vote doesn’t make any difference.
None of the candidates care about me.
I’m busy and don’t have time.
If you’ve spouted one of these, you must think it’s all about you.
Well, here’s a surprise. it’s not about you, or at least only you. It’s about me, all your neighbors, everyone in your local, state, and national communities. If “you” is multiplied by the thousands and thousands of “yous,” that one vote of yours increases to a number that can influence not only local elections but also state and national ones. If you don’t feel it’s worth your time to make a difference then, guess what, there won’t be a difference. Will that have validated your feelings that it’s all a waste of time?
Absolutely not! And no amount of self-justification will undo the harm you have created for the rest of us.
Next there are those so turned off by the elective process itself that they reject it by not voting.
It doesn’t matter who wins; they’re all the same.
They’re all crooks.
Money is all they care about, and the ones with the most win.
Not one of those statements is true. It definitely matters who wins. All candidates are not the same. If the recent past hasn’t made that clear, then rational thought has flown the coop. All candidates are not crooks. All have flaws. But that doesn’t make them crooks. How about those dedicated souls serving on school boards or as judges? How about John McCain or Jimmy Carter? To say several break the law so all break the law is a weak logical argument that says more about the person making it than I want to contemplate. I would be the first to complain about money in politics. I find it disgusting and an antithesis to the democratic spirit. Something must be done. But the one with the most money does not always win. There have been countless examples over the last several months.
Finally, there are the spoiled brats.
My candidate didn’t win the primary.
I like almost everything about him, but he’s wrong on an issue I care about.
Ah, yes, if I can’t have everything, and I mean everything, my way, then I’m not going to play. Reminds me of elementary school. Have we reached a point where everything is an absolute, and if it’s the wrong absolute we simply walk away? How childish and how selfish.
Here’s an incontrovertible fact. Whether you vote or don’t, someone is going to be elected to every position up for grabs. If you don’t vote, it seems to me you’re saying it’s okay for anyone to be elected. If that’s how you feel, I pity you, and I pity our country.
Most everyone I know takes civic duty seriously, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. For anyone else, let me beg you to participate in the democratic process. Maybe, just maybe, doing so will help save the country and improve local administration. So, please, please, please learn about the candidates and VOTE!
And if you’re not registered, DO IT NOW!
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