Apathetic Radical says “Vote Like You Care (Even if You Don’t)”
Apolitical web site shares why you should meet your civic obligation, when you couldnÂ’t care less about the results
(PRWEB) August 6, 2004
Every election year, pundits and doomsayers proclaim that political powerhouses are using voter apathy as a tool with which to make presidential elections “a private party to which most American voters are not invited.” This assertion is clearly designed to ruffle the feathers of the “unwashed masses” and prod them to the nearest voting booth come November.
However, these opinion-shapers are also overlooking the obvious fact that major political parties really don’t have to actively work to lower the interest level of most voters. Today, people don’t follow the news – especially political and world events news -- as closely as they once did. This is despite the fact that more information is out there than ever before (due, in no small part, to Web sites and blogs.)
But does the general public not care as much about politics today because theyÂ’re out of touch with the news? Or do we avoid traditional news outlets because weÂ’re better informed about media bias -- and more aware about how they tailor coverage to attract advertisers?
Traditionally, voting has been seen as a privilege of citizenship as well as a civic responsibility. Today, itÂ’s lost its luster and this constitutional right is considered more as a choreÂ… something to try and fit in between the full-time job and the kidsÂ’ soccer practice.
Once I’m at my local voting facilities, am I truly empowered? Does my one vote – out of more than 100 million – really make a difference? When it comes down to it, the act of pushing a button (or touching a screen -- or filling in/punching out an oval box --or pulling a lever) only means that I’m canceling out the vote of someone who has different political opinions and leanings than mine.
Worse yet, the voting machine can’t distinguish between a well-researched vote and someone playing “connect the dots.” I may meet my civic obligation with the noblest intent, but tell that to the person in the next booth who may have sold his/her vote to the highest bidder.
And with an elaborate system of checks and balances (never mind the “old boy network”) at play, how much freedom and power does the Chief Exec really wield? In the end, how different will a Candidate A”-run country be than a “Candidate B”-run one? (And, once elected, will our head “civil servant” serve the needs of the average citizen -- or the corporate cronies who lined the war chest to get him elected?)
So, why bother? Why not just bow out and leave the decision-making solely to the people who care passionately about the results?
Because, at the heart of it, weÂ’re all a community. I may not feel an overwhelming obligation or affiliation to a major political party - or to its candidate of the moment. And I certainly canÂ’t speak eloquently and intelligently about todayÂ’s most pressing issues (or about any political issues, for that matter.)
But what about my loyalty to the woman down the street, the one who not only provides afternoon snacks to the neighborhood kids, but who also fervently waves a sign outside my ward for hours at a time -- in a cold New England winter, no less – because she still believes in the political process?
Even if I donÂ’t necessarily support her candidate, we both ultimately want the same thing. We both want a safe, peaceful, honest place to call home, one with good education and quality health care. Somewhere where families arenÂ’t taxed beyond their means, and where corporations pay their fair share. A place where opportunities abound, where jobs remain available, and salaries are competitive. A land where no one should have to go to bed hungry or freezing. A country with clean air, water, and land; one that we can turn over to our children in better shape than we inherited it from our parents.
In the end, we both want a wise, intelligent leader (with integrity to spare) to get us to that place – no matter what his particular party affiliation. And both our votes will help get him elected.
So this November, IÂ’ll trudge reluctantly to the polls and vote for the lesser of two evils. IÂ’ll borrow the optimism of the people around me and smile like I really want to be there. And IÂ’ll try to delude myself that, just this time, my vote will really make a difference.
Hope to see you there, tooÂ
The Apathetic Radical (“Not really an oxymoron, but who cares?”) storefront (www. cafeshops. com/apathetic_rad (http://www. cafeshops. com/apathetic_rad)) and the Apathetic Radical Web site (www. freewebs. com/apathetic_radical (http://www. freewebs. com/apathetic_radical)) are not associated with the Radical Apathy Web site (www. radicalapathy. com), which appears to hold well-considered opinions about the issues and candidates.
