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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.

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