This quote from George Jean Nathan brings up an important issue about the function of our government. The question has been raised about whether one persons vote really matters in the grand scheme of things. The idea that you don't need to vote in national elections because you have a better chance of winning the lotto than your vote being the deciding factor in an election has been postulated but let us explore a different set of reasons as to why a vote matters.
When our country was born, many gave their lives in order to gain the freedom to choose for themselves how and by whom they would be governed. Throughout our history, when our freedoms have come under attack, men and woman in this great nation have not hesitated to offer their lives to protect them. The cost of this freedom is not cheap. It is the blood of our own people, and to take it lightly is the greatest insult and disservice that one can do to his country and himself. To vote is the most significant way that we can influence the democracy that provides our freedom.
When George Jean Nathan made this statement, I think he struck a very important point. In the past two decades, voter turnout in the country has fluctuated around fifty percent. Only half of this country’s free people are taking part in its democracy. I don’t think that when a “bad official” is elected, that he truly reflects the views of the majority of the people that he is supposed to represent. It is the negligence of the good people that allows someone unfit to be elected. If most of the people in this state and country would vote on its leaders, I think “bad officials” would be almost non existent in our government.
The government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” can only work if the people take up its responsibilities. We elect representatives from among ourselves to act as our voices to the rest of our nation, and the rest of the world. When these persons do not do what is best for us and our country, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Many times I have listened to fellow Americans voice their concern and frustration with leadership in the government but when asked if they voted they respond that they didn’t. How can you be angry with someone else for the problems that occur if you didn’t do your part to try and prevent them? Before you complain that others aren’t doing as they should, do your part to help the situation; go out and vote!
1 comment:
The fact that only half of Americans in this country votes seems pretty sad when you think about all of the blood that was shed to attain this right. However, it is also well within a person’s rights to choose not to vote. I think it speaks greatly of our government that those people that do not want to be involved in government can refrain from doing so and still be completely taken care of by the government. Much of this is due to the fact that our government is a representative democracy instead of a direct democracy.
On the topic of bad officials, I do not feel that the American people would not elect bad officials if everyone voted. On the contrary, I think more bad officials would be elected because the people that do not normally vote do not know as much about politics as the smaller percentage of people that actually cared and were voting before.
I wish more people cared about politics and government enough to vote and be part of this country’s democratic process, but I feel that it is absolutely fine the way it is. The majority is being taken care of, and the minority groups are being heard and taken care of as well. That is a success. We have found a form of government that takes care of everyone.
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