This election year, ya gotta believe—and participate
Voting puts the ‘you’ in U.S.A.
The United States has led the world for over a century as its foremost industrialized democracy, and most Americans—who look upon the distinction with pride—expect it to stay that way well into the future.
Recently, however, interest in our government has waned both nationally and locally, and certainly to our nation’s detriment.
I know from firsthand local encounters that too many view our government as someone else’s business.
They are content to sit back and deal with daily life in our small community.
People who consider themselves politically active generally try to make it to the voting booth, but wouldn’t sweat missing a vote much more than they would the morning weather report. There will be other chances, they say, and besides, my vote most likely won’t swing the results.
Although you’ve heard it before and will no doubt hear it again, long after this paper has been forgotten, this frame of mind is simply untrue.
Your vote will not be unheard.
In towns such as Old Forge and Inlet, each citizen’s privilege to vote is expanded many times over that of a voter in Utica.
In our elections there is often talk of a tie. An obvious example is the result of the recent Town of Webb Supervisor primary. The candidates nearly tied, which shows the power of each vote. There are few occasions across the country where this occurs to the degree it does in the central Adirondacks. We should be jumping to get to the Park Avenue building, the fire hall, or the school gym.
Can you imagine casting the vote that decides who shapes our policies and solves our problems for possibly decades? This is an incredible privilege to have.
In national elections, that “politically active” person would say: I am not deciding the vote. I don’t have the power that I have in town elections. I am one of over 137 million voters with almost no political clout.
I don’t agree.
However miniscule your vote seems, I would argue that it counts more than it does in local elections, because of what our vote stands for.
Don’t think of your political power as supporting a certain candidate. Think of it as supporting democracy. Democracy needs voters, and it needs every last one.
The literal meaning of democracy is “Government by the people.” If the people refuse to govern, this word loses its purpose. In my mind, when someone refuses to vote or misses the election, they are committing a crime against their town, country, and fellow Americans. This crime should weigh much heavier on a decent conscience than it does today.
People need to believe and participate in our government, whether they like the job they are doing or not. If you do not like Congress right now, say so. Even if you like Congress right now, say so. Respond to this column. Examine the opinions and ideas of our Town Supervisor and Town Justice candidates. Be active in town politics. Politics are your responsibility. Voice your opinion. Show that you care, and you will make a difference.
That’s a promise.
