By: Taylor Croft

Taylor Croft — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:44:53 +0000

I believe that Private Individualism is a detrimental concern to our society. Women and African Americans fought for the right to vote and finally accomplished this feat, but within decades this passionate issue eventually dissolved among our citizens. Voting has been looked upon as a “privilege” or a “right”, when it should be viewed as an obligation. In my opinion, American citizens are obligated not only to vote but to be appropriately informed about the issues our country faces and all of the registered candidate’s platforms. Voting goes beyond the act of showing up and filling out a ballot. I believe that voting ignorantly is worse and more harmful than not voting at all. It seems like citizens are looking at this issue: since I have the right to vote, then I certainly have the right not to vote. If this mentality is incessantly perpetuated, our voting numbers will continually fall. If a substantial percentage of our country’s population is not actively involved in politics, then the purpose of this democracy is defeated. Our citizens should want to be politically involved. They should desire the knowledge and feel that it is an empowering aspect of being an American. In order to raise the rates of voting, I believe that there should be investment in organizations like Rock the Vote. Groups like this make it their priority to build political power for young people. In order to raise the number of people who vote, there needs to be specific dedications made to certain races, ages, and/or ethnicities. Saying things like, “The opinions of college students are very important in politics, because you are the future of our country” will be much more effective than “Hey, everyone should vote!” Investment in organizations like Rock the Vote is an efficient way to raise awareness of our country’s voting problems.

Comments on: || Private Individualism and Political Withdrawal, Part 2.

By: Taylor Croft