The Rose Room

Voting Speech

This isn’t a post about the election, or politics.

This is about voting.

I’m proud to say that most of the people I know voted. Eagerly. Quite a few of them lined up outside the polls in the early morning to cast their ballot at the first possible moment. I’ve heard those close to me discuss the different candidates thoroughly, in an attempt to decide who would best represent their interests. I know someone who fought for this country declare that he didn’t care who people voted for, just so long as they voted - he had put his life on the line out of respect for this ability and hoped others appreciated their chance to take part in the electoral process.

I appreciate the right and privilege to vote that we enjoy as American citizens. When I was 19 I acted as a deputy registrar to help Rock the Vote on my college campus. And, while I deeply respect an individual’s right to freedom of speech, freedom of beliefs, and freedom to vote for whoever it is they want to vote for, I have very little respect for those who do not vote at all.

I have heard many arguments for not voting. One woman said it was her “right as an American” not to vote. That’s a ridiculous statement. Granted, with some work, and a somewhat warped perspective, this could be a valid argument. As I said, I believe in the right of freedom of speech. This includes the right to not speak as well. Therefore, since freedom of speech is an (not uniquely) American right, then freedom to refrain from speech is implied as well as an (not uniquely) American right. However, this is like saying it is my right as an American to choose to let people take advantage of me. Sure, I have freedom of choice over many things in America – but many other countries enjoy similar if not identical rights. In fact, I would be hard-pressed to name a country where individuals are forced to stand up for themselves. Or compelled to vote. The whole argument reminds me of the phrase ‘no one can walk all over you without your permission.’ Sure – you do have the ability (or ‘right,’ if you will) to lie down and behave as a doormat. But – do you really want to? Is this something to be proud of? Yay for you, you kept quiet and allowed yourself to be walked on - what an accomplishment. I guess if it comes down to it I suppose I’d defend someone’s right to allow themselves to relinquish control of their destiny. However, this right is not at the top of my list of rights worth dying for. Many other items - including the right to vote - precede it.

I’ve also heard the sentiment that what happens in Washington D.C. is too far removed from most people’s daily life to have much effect, and therefore voting does not matter. Now, generally, I understand apathy. I’ve had enough experience with hierarchical structure to feel as though the little guy is not soon affected by what goes on at the top. Or, to put it more cynically, I recognize that what benefits the top of the totem pole often does not necessarily work its way down to the folks at the bottom. However, we live in a democratic republic, not an aristocracy, and voting is the ultimate opportunity to choose your boss. Think about it – if you could actually elect your boss, wouldn’t you jump at the chance? I would; more than one boss I’ve had would certainly not have kept their job, had it been up to me. Whoever is employed in our nation’s capitol – especially, whoever is the president – will ultimately have as much impact over your life as your boss does. This person will have the ability to raise or lower your taxes, improve your healthcare coverage, stimulate or deflate the economy, help provide funds to get an education and, in the case of soldiers, send you or a loved one to war. Presidents have had a role in issues such as a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy, the ability to legally drink, and constitutionally banning gay marriage. Don’t you want to put someone in office who is aligned with your views on these issues? Aren’t your views on life, morality, education, public safety, healthcare, and peace-keeping as important to you as the issues you faced in your workplace? I may or may not care passionately about all of what I just listed, but at least one of those issues is extremely important to me. Probably even more important to me than my job. Therefore, I am glad to have the chance to try and see to it the leader of my country respects that belief. I would not ever want that policy dictated to me.

I have also heard excuses for not voting that simply make no rational sense, such as “I’m too lazy.” To vote? Are you kidding me? The polls in my area were open for 11 hours, and my polling place was located less than two miles from my home. I expended less physical effort voting than I normally do grocery shopping; it was less of a time commitment than I give to watching television. Well, just like you have the right to act like a doormat, you also have the right to be lazy, but it seems like even the lazy should have the common sense to look out for their own best interests and vote for a candidate. However, you do have the right to disregard common sense as well.

One common refrain during this election (and, now that I think about it, the previous election as well) was that neither of the candidates seemed particularly desirable. I confess that in a past election my vote was cast against one candidate, as opposed to voting for the other candidate. Choosing the lesser of two evils is not the best choice in the world, but at least you are still exercising your choice. Again, a leader is not simply being assigned to you. And, you even have the choice of writing in any candidate that you want. The only reason for not voting for which I have a modicum of respect is refusing to vote as a form of protest. I don’t think this is necessarily the most effective form of protest in the world, as more than likely all your accomplishing is seeing to it that the greater of two evils winds up in office. However, if you have carefully considered the ramifications of not voting, and really thought about what you are giving up, and are willing to live with the outcome of your actions, then I’m certainly not going to tell you how or when or where to fight your battles. I’d prefer to see you write in 'Mickey Mouse' on the ballot as a form of creative insubordination, but that’s my opinion.

In conclusion, my fellow Americans, on this Wednesday in November I highly encourage all who are eligible to vote in the next election. In fact, I don’t just encourage you – I beg you, order you, plead with you, cajole you, and all but threaten you. I can’t believe that you are that lazy or have your head buried that deeply up your . . .er, in the sand that you’d give up this ability without any thought. Vote. Tell your friends, family, and coworkers to vote. Do it because you’re a patriot, do it because you’re proud, do it because you’re passionate, do it because you feel morally obligated, do it because someone is nagging you, do it as an example to someone else. But vote.

Otherwise, get off of my webpage, you ineffective waste of skin.

- acr

Posted by acr at November 3, 2004 07:34 PM | TrackBack