The apathy of the American voter is shameful. Lives have been sacrificed on many battlefields to win this right for every American. At the beginning of the 20th Century women all over America marched and fought for their right to cast a vote. Part of the focus of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's was to insure the right to vote for all citizens regardless of skin color. We are fortunate in this nation to have a process for electing our leaders as opposed to having them selected for us by those in power. As this right is ignored and viewed as something of little effect, the course of our nation is being determined by only a few of our number. Precious Civil Liberties are slowing being eroded, policies that reward the rich and penalize the poor are being enacted, the rich are getting richer as the middle class is being taxed beyond their ability to pay, all taking place as Americans are lost in a sleep of apathy.
Casting a vote is the foundation of a democracy. In a Democracy the citizens are able to determine the course of their nation, their home, and their collective future. This is a right that has been hard won by many of our citizens, yet today is taken for granted. Taxation without representation is what the Revolutionary War was all about. As King George levied taxes on the foundling colonies, anger and dissatisfaction grew as there was no representation for the colonies in the British Parliament. As the new world began to suffer under the tyranny of British rule an uprising began culminating in the founding of the United States of America. Self determination was at the heart of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the people of America would choose leaders and they would be responsible to those constituents. A new form of government was born, power was in the hands of the people not the ruling class.
For 200 years we have elected our leaders and they have reported to us on their activity. We have relied on them to make decisions for the betterment of our society and our lives and welfare. Somehow over the past few decades people have allowed this process to get out of hand. We see times becoming more difficult, decisions less favorable, politicians less honorable. Common sense would dictate in this environment great action would be taken by the voters, yet they have largely remained silent. Over the past 40 years voter turnout in the country has declined by nearly 40% yet people are voicing more and more dissatisfaction with the government. Why are we not using our voting power?
In the pre-television era the percentage of Americans voting were much higher. In fact community involvement at all levels was higher in the "good old days". As we know the "good old days" weren't all that good in many ways and for many people. Is the advent of the information age in part responsible for the lack of participation? I think it is a distinct possibility. In our age of television we see solutions to horrible dilemmas worked out in under 60 minutes giving us the impression that long term effort is foolish. Advertisers have convinced the people their value is based upon what car they drive or whose name is on the clothing they wear. Mainstream Media paints the bleakest possible pictures of life in these American States. People have lost hope, they are fast loosing ambition as well. With constant bombardment of negative images many become caught in a state of fear, giving way to helplessness. A climate of scapegoatism and blame has been shouted from the rooftops, our leaders don't take responsibility for the problems in government anymore. We are accepting a picture that shows little hope for solutions.
As we sit nightly glued to our seats in front of the television we shake our heads in disgust. We are disgusted with the wrong people. A large mirror should be placed right in front of the televisions of America during the evening news so we can see who is to blame for the state of the nation. For we are the culprits, the people of this country who are over 18 years old and have the right to vote yet do nothing. Are we holding our elected officials accountable for their actions and their decisions? Do we contact the office of our Congressional representatives or Senators or instead do we just complain. Of course they are doing what they want to do with little regard for the people back home, the people back home are not making themselves heard. Most are too busy with American Idol and the Biggest Loser to take time out to write a representative and voice concerns about the richest Americans getting tax cuts while the rest of us can barely fill the tank with gas.
Interesting though is the spike in voter turnout after the whole election controversy of 2000. All we heard were complaints and comments about the mess the electoral process was in. Republicans and Democrats alike vowed to correct the system so this could never happen again. The Federal Help America Vote act took steps to see this never happens again. In the 2000 election for president 60% of citizens over 18 participated, that number increased by 4% in the 2004 election. Progress has been made and I can only hope this trend increases. Given the large turnout in the Presidential Primaries on both sides, I believe things are changing but the media would have us believe the situation is no better.
Apathy is tantamount to giving the nation over to the most specialised groups of voters. Regular Americans must become involved to change the tide of the nation, this is happening now. If we look at the downward turn of the nation from the late 60's to the present we see the results of voter apathy. Representatives that do not vote the conscious of the people, but instead make choices based upon their personal preferences. With the vast majority of the American people desiring an end to the war why does Congress and the Senate consistently vote for more funding for something the majority of Americans are opposed to? Apathy, pure and simple. Your vote has power and these politicians want and need your vote to stay in office. Most Americans want to see research and development of safer, cleaner and less expensive sources of energy, yet little is being done. If voters were to flood the offices of their Congressional representatives and Senators with letters, petitions, and phone calls threatening to remove them from office if they do not legislate research money something would happen.
Current trends suggest this presidential election will have record breaking turnout. But there is more to be done that the simple casting of a vote. Keep an eye on the work your leaders are doing, find out what issues they are working on, become familiar with their voting record, and make you voice heard. Become involved in the things that matter to your communities. The people that have the most direct effect on your daily lives are not the leaders in Washington but the city, county and State leaders in your home districts. Yet turnout in these local races is the lowest of all elections and matter the most. Voting is not just a right, it is a responsibility that needs to be shouldered by every eligible American. Voter apathy is what has gotten us where we are today. In only 40 short years our nation has become a place of uninvolved and uninformed citizens who are more concerned with the antics of spoiled super stars that the workings of their own government. Wake up America, we cannot afford another 40 years of apathy. If you don't vote you have no right to complain, if you don't monitor the actions of your elected officials don't be surprised when your rights have disappeared, and don't complain.