by Tim Gray

Created on: August 03, 2008

Approximately one half of all eligible voters in the United States never bother to exercise their civic responsibilities on Election Day. Needless to say, this is unacceptable. There are no excuses for not voting in this country. Americans have grown complacent and don't understand how uniquely special our voting rights are. Furthermore, the non-voting sector of our society complain about candidate choices. However, ask any one of them where a particular candidate stands on any given issue, and non-voters haven't any clue.

In truth, they are too lazy to do their political homework and take the necessary time to determine what distinguishes one candidate from the next.

One could argue that career politicians are inherently corrupt. Clearly, elected officials most often make political decisions that they believe the largest percentage of their voter active constituencies also support. Herein lies the relationship between voter apathy and how our society is effected.

Far and away a greater percentage of older and richer Americans choose to vote, than do their fellow citizens that are younger and poorer. As a result, lawmakers are usually more inclined to pass legislation that favors older, well to do Americans.

There is no greater example that supports the aforementioned than the Tax Break of 2001. Why would the president and Congress authorize and mandate a change in the tax code that virtually eliminated Americans making more than $200,000 annually from paying federal income tax? Clearly, they were certain that the vast majority of participating national voters supported the legislation, and they couldn't have been more correct. Although it has generated a tremendous loss in federal revenue, and plunged the United States deeply into debt, it was a great political victory for the president and his supporters. The president and an overwhelming majority of the law's supporters were returned to their offices three years later.

Modest to middle income wage earners far and away sacrifice the largest percentages of their incomes, for tax purposes. If they would do their homework, and go to the polls when necessary, it is very likely our tax codes and other laws that favor the rich might change, in a manner more equitable to all Americans.

Some may correctly argue that they don't have enough time to make it to the polls. This was certainly the case four years ago in Ohio, where many people waited six hours or more to vote. National elections held every even numbered year should be work holidays. No American should be denied his or her right to vote for any reason, other than incarceration.

Social scientists categorize voting as a civic responsibility. If Americans want responsible laws and leaders, that are fair and benefit society as a whole, then these changes begin with all eligible voters fulfilling their ends of the election process. As long as approximately one half of all eligible voters remain uninformed and refuse to participate in the voting process, we will get business as usual.

And look where business as usual has positioned the American economy today.

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