Voting

With the midterms coming up, I feel this is an important topic to think about and discuss in depth. It very much saddens me to know that many people of my generation are so jaded that they believe voting doesn't matter and opt out of taking part in the patriotic practice of voting. It particularly bothers me that some think that their vote doesn't directly effect them or the ones that they care about. Voting effects everyone and everything in this country. We live in a country where we have the rare privilege of choosing our leaders, and by extension, choosing what issues matter to us most. Many other nations don't have that privilege. Many people all around the world are stuck with tyrants in charge and have little to no say on the matters that affect them and I feel that many people in my generation take for granted the fact that we have the power to make our voices heard and select who we want to govern us. I feel that apathy among young voters was a large factor in the election of our current president, and if his performance isn't enough to get young voters to want to take part in the process, sadly, I don't think anything is. I cherish my right in this country to be able to make my voice heard and cast my say in the matter of who governs me and it absolutely drives me crazy that some people don't share that appreciation of our unique rights. Now, obviously our right to vote isn't unique to just this country. Many countries around the world are governed by a similar democratic process and they've found that it is a system that works best for everyone in the particular nation. However, in the United States, I feel that we're one of the few nations, particularly, where people take the right to vote for granted and in my opinion, that needs to stop. Come November, we need to get out there, make our voices heard, and make some substantial change; not just for ourselves, but for the whole country. I haven't been old enough to vote in many elections, but the few that I have been eligible to take part in, I've always done my best to do so. The first presidential election I voted in, the candidate I wanted to win came out on top, for the second, it didn't turn out the same way, but I didn't sulk, I didn't pout, and I didn't get angry, because even though the election didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, I was still able to make my voice heard and participate in the process. If you don't think voting matters, if you don't think one person can make a substantial change, if you think that your voice doesn't need to be heard, I'm telling you right now, you're dead wrong. Whether it be local elections, or national, get out there, do your patriotic duty, and make your voice heard.