Today is an Election Day: VOTE!!!

     Today, I am reminded of a discussion that I was a part of in my PHIL 101 class this past year. We were discussing whether people think of voting as a right, meaning it is voluntary, and fine whether you vote or not, or it is a duty, meaning that you are obligated to vote. Also, we discussed the way in which we think people should think of it; if you are unconcerned if people don't vote, or you think people should always vote no matter what. We talked about this because of the nation's rapidly declining voter turnout. Currently, roughly 40% of eligible people vote in non-presidential elections nationally, and, in a good year, 50-60% of eligible people vote in presidential elections nationally. In primaries, the lowest state turnout in the 2008 primary (the presidential one) was an election for the Democratic candidates at a pathetic 2.6% of eligible voters, and the highest was an overall primary at a sad 53.6%. This discussion got me a little heated. By far, the most spoken reason for voting as a voluntary choice (and not voting at all) in this discussion was that people did not want to be forced to do something, justifying this as the right of all Americans to choose their own actions.

     The right to determine who you are and how you will act is an immeasurably important right, but using this logic as a reason not to vote is almost a contradiction if you think about it. If you don't vote, you are allowing others to tell you who will make the laws for you, and what laws and ideals will govern you without being able to even voice your opinion on any of the matters. If you vote, you may not like the outcome of the election, but at least will have made your voice heard. Essentially, what these people are saying is that they do not want to be forced to do one thing, and yet will allow themselves be forced to say and do many other things (i.e. everything that those elected decide). That is the epitome of crushing individualism, though "individualism" is the rallying cry of the people that use this logic.

         Now this is all not taking into consideration the fact that millions (soldiers, civil rights leaders, women's rights advocates, etc) have labored, and possibly even died to ensure that you are able to vote, and not voting is like spitting in their face. 

     Nor is it taking into consideration that voting is taking action for the health of the country, which is probably the most important reason to vote. It is ensuring the health of the country because, like the health of a person, you can remove a bad politician (or a germ) before they can hurt the country (like  a disease), or before they can do any more to harm the country.

         In the end, vote! More importantly, vote intelligently! Research the candidates, decide on the person that best typifies your beliefs and preferences, and vote for them. If you're a patriot, it is a nod to those that have died for the country. If you're a nationalist, it contributes to the strength and health of the country. If you're none of these, and you are simply an individualist (and everyone is at some level), then what is more individual than standing up and saying "I like this person's ideas, and not this person's." to the world?