Vote Because It May Not Matter 590.5
As always, Election Day tests our citizenship. There are plenty of excuses for apathy, cynicism, and laziness, but they’re just excuses. Many people hide behind the perennial “I don’t like any of the candidates.” Whether you like your choices or not, you have a choice. Abdicating the opportunity only gives more power to special interests.
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Another popular theme is “My vote doesn’t matter.” Other citizens would prefer to be on call (“Call me only if my vote will break a tie”). It’s arrogant egotism to refuse to participate unless you’re assured your personal vote will determine the outcome.
The truth is, few elections in America are decided by one vote, and surely the republic will survive without yours. For that matter, it won’t affect our economy if you don’t pay taxes, and what you give to charity may be inconsequential. And don’t worry about littering or polluting either. There’s no way the harm you do could seriously impact the environment.
You shouldn’t vote because it might make the difference. You should vote because it probably won’t.
You should vote because in a democracy on Election Day all citizens are public officials, and it’s your duty to do your share.
By participating, you teach your children and neighbors to accept rather than evade civic responsibilities. That lesson could be as important as the outcome of the election.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you to vote because character counts.
Comments
Voting is good but it needs to be informed voting. There is always a big push to get out the vote but little encouragement for informed voting. Voters are usually informed about the top of the ticket but less so as they move down the ballot. Thus they make random selections and the election becomes a turkey shoot. Unfortunately, these local officials then move on to state & national positions even though they got their start through random selection. One hopes the cream rises to the top, but that may not always be the case.
Posted by: Mike Bitondo | November 3, 2008 5:54 AM
Michael is right - one vote doesn't count. But, as we learned in Florida in the 2000 election, 100 or 1,000 or 10,000 votes that don't count would have changed the election. It is not the single vote that holds power, but the sum of those votes.
Another reason to vote is because it is your privilege to have a say in your government - regardless of whether your candidate or issue wins. If you don't realize the value of this right, then you need to spend time in other countries like North Korea, Liberia or Sudan. People in those countries would sacrifice their lives to vote, yet half of Americans treat it as insignificant bother. I guess everything is relative...
Posted by: James | November 13, 2008 9:48 AM