Why vote? Well, it's not because you'll always get to have the final say between good and evil and cast that deciding ballot (although, some important elections have been a lot closer than you might think). Nevertheless, people do vote, so maybe we should ask: "Why do other people vote?" Knowing some of the reasons that other people vote may resonate more than just some random website, ahem, telling you that "You oughtta." Consider:
Reason people vote #3. People vote to express a sense of attachment to a political party; that is, they vote out of party loyalty or party identification. "But I don't identify with a political party," you shout? Of course not. How old are you, anyway (um, I mean we)? How many chances have we had to actually vote? Or to go to a party caucus? You probably have had few, if any, opportunites to really get involved in the electoral process. But right now we do have free time, probably more than we will ever have again, in the rest of our life, as hard as that may be to believe. (Okay, so it may not always feel like it with so damn many books to read, papers to write, beers to drink-I mean, lectures to attend). But don't waste what you got. And while you're "not wasting it" read these last two darn good reasons. Reason people vote #4 Voting is kind of like practicing for that band we mentioned (and if anyone actually attempts that musical combination we will kick ourselves). "What's the point? How much better will we get if we practice this week?" Voting is a single act but it usually happens as a part of a process. Again, people who vote don't just vote; they vote and they do lots of related things, like pay attention to news about politics and government, make their voice heard, discuss policy issues, donate time and money, attend meetings, etc. Like practicing your new sound, voting is just one thing you do as a part of a process of getting tighter and stronger - politically stronger. Reason people vote #5. Voting and being down with the political process is also a way to counteract the natural tendency of powerful organizations to cut themselves off from their roots (read: ignore the people they are supposed to care about). This tendency is what makes an organization, whether it's a political party or perhaps a certain College's bureaucracy, more hierarchical and more out-of-touch with its members and customers. By not participating, you just make it easier for them to do whatever they want, without regard to you and your interests. (They would probably thank you for doing nothing, if only they knew who the heck you were.) Caveat: However, political organizations are more open than you might think and, therefore, it's easier to get involved than you might think. That's because, despite #4, most organizations do act as though they are concerned with deriving the consent of the governed - or at least making a good show. This is because in a system of limited state power, like ours, governments can act only when they appear to have legitimate authority - that is, rulers can get away with being rulers only when we, the ruled, let them. The power of government, most Americans believe, is based on the idea of popular sovereignty -- the notion that the power to decide belongs to the people who only loan, not give, that power to governmental officials. Government officials act as though they too believe this (and some of them really do) and, as a result, they will do almost anything they can to create, protect, and enhance their appearance of legitimacy - and, therefore, their capacity to govern. "Almost anything?" you ask. Yes, including, if necessary, being open to your participation in the process.
|
