COLUMN: Take time to care about America by taking time to vote
With all the political mud slinging, name calling and generally negative horse-pucky going on in the forthcoming election, I sometimes find myself wanting to be absent from the polls. I don’t want to take the time to become informed because to do so I have to wade through a slew of political garbage. What else is new, right? But even with this forlorn task hanging over my shoulder, I can’t just walk away; truth be told — no one will be able to walk away from the voting machines. There is too much at stake.
While I believe in the voting power and all that it represents to this country, I myself will admit I haven’t voted at every opportunity I was able. As a political activist and a believer in democracy, I know this is shameful. But while I believe in this country and all the good things that can come to pass with the power of the vote, I believe, like most Americans, in other things too like family and education, both things that take a significant amount of time.
Here is a life lesson: sometimes there just isn’t time for everything. For this election, however, Americans are going to have to make time because without good solid leadership, and possibly even with it, this country could fall apart. America has to take the time to make the right choice.
Although I obviously have my own beliefs about what the right choice is, I don’t publically support one candidate over another. As a journalist, I don’t think it’s fair or appropriate. It may not even be accurate. Everyone in this country is different. America has been described as the mixing pot of the world, not loyal to one culture or one kind of people, just united as Americans, meaning my neighbor is free to believe whatever he chooses as long as he allows me the same curiosity. That should work and I don’t want to mess with a good thing.
But what if my neighbor doesn’t care? Hmm … my heart just started pounding a little.
Americans have to care, especially today. Today is the day America could fall apart. The economy has been a hot-button issue in political debates this election. In fact, it has over taken underlying moral issues that in my opinion shouldn’t be solved by politicians anyway. How do you know when your country is in trouble? When the government and the people don’t have time to argue about abortion anymore because they are too busy trying to fix the health care system. Today, it doesn’t matter if 17-year-olds wants an abortion, she can’t pay for it so no doctor will do it anyway.
It matters, and while we don’t like the bickering and the fighting, we still have to care. America has to care about its people. The politicians have to care about the people. The people have to care about the people. And it’s hard, especially when you are at the bottom of the pile. It’s hard to care about the ones above you who seem to be pulling the strings on your future. It’s hard to care about the ones next to you when you are in just as bad a shape as they are. It’s hard to care about the ones below you when you don’t feel like you have anything left to give.
But I, your neighbor, think you’re wrong. I propose we all have something to give this election season: Time. Time to take our vote to the polls and care about our country. It’s time. No matter what your vote is, take the time. Who knows what will happen? Who knows if it will even work? This time it matters that you were there.
Take time to care about America. Take time to vote.
Mikaylie Kartchner is a grad student in the education department. Comments, criticisms and compliments can be sent to mikaylie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu.