Vote for Yourself - A Non-Partisan Rationale for Voting

Last week the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the American population has reached 300,000,000. While this is certainly a staggering number, what is perhaps more surprising is how few of these people will vote in the coming election. The U.S. Census Bureau's estimate of eligible voters in 2006 is 206,963,852, yet we would be extremely lucky to see half of these people at the polls on November 7th. Realistically, since there is no presidential election this year, we will probably see a turnout of 40 to 45 percent on November 7th. (In 2002, a non-presidential year, the voter turnout was close to 40%.) In a nutshell, there are a disturbing number of eligible voters staying home on Election Day and they are hurting the country as much as the people in power.

Admittedly, the political landscape of this country is outrageously corrupt. The more money a candidate has, the better his or her chances are of getting elected. Lobbyists, big corporations and donors have more influence over election results and legislation than any group of voters. But why are things this way? Why do we allow our supposed leaders to take bribes, abuse power and run the country the way they wish instead of the way the people wish for it to be run? Why are these people elected in the first place? Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to these questions. The media helps to sway voters a certain way. Associations and unions endorse candidates that will benefit them. Neighbors, canvassers, religious groups and other external pressures try to convince you that their candidate or their party is more in line with your state of mind, or better for the country. Therefore, it is certainly understandable that people decide not partake in such a dirty system; it is easier to tell yourself that you are not a part of the problem if you are not an active participant. But your inaction actually tells the government that everything they are doing is okay and they continue to legislate accordingly.