Like most millennials, I cast my first official vote last Tuesday during the primary elections for my state. And no matter who I voted for, it was my right as a citizen of the United States of America to do so, one I respect and appreciate because I understand the unique opportunity I have here in this nation to do so.
Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone feels this way.
This may be simply because I am young and still optimistic and excited about most things, but I am forever disappointed at the apathy of people towards the politics of this country, and the special opportunities that people take for granted in their lives.
This does not just apply to politics either. It seems that the more time that goes on and the more that I learn about the people of this world, the more I see a general disinterest in things that individuals feel do not directly affect their own lives. I see a chronic complaining about problems that people make no effort to fix, and a taking for granted of rights that people have given their lives to protect.
People complain about their educations when they do not understand the simple truth that if they were born in a Third World country or a country with a different political system, they may not even be half as educated as they are now. People take for granted the blessing that an educated mind provides for them, an opportunity that should be celebrated in this country.
People complain about the taste of the food they got at a restaurant or the poor service they received at a supermarket, like they are entitled to eating only the finest delicacies or experiencing only the fastest workers. In all reality, in both situations, someone is still serving you, working at your expense, fueling your personal sense that you need to be waited upon or attended to above all else. The people are working for you, someone who makes no difference in their lives, they are working to service you at an inconvenience to themselves, and you are still complaining about it.
Just like politics.
So many people say they do not like or they do not understand politics so they abstain from voting, and I am glad when people admit this. I wish that they would get more informed and take a stand in their futures, but at least they are not making uninformed opinions or complaining about their leaders when they were given the opportunity to have a voice in the matter but were simply quiet.
The problem as it seems to me, however, is that most people who do not vote still do complain about their leaders. They still do put their opinions forth, yet make no effort to change anything in the way that one can- voting. People cannot expect everything to simply work out on their behalf if they do nothing to make that happen.
Everyone needs to vote. Not just because it is your right and privilege in this country of ours and a crucial part to our unique political system, but because by doing nothing about the leaders you are complaining about, you are simply acting as poorly as such leaders. You are talking emptily about "problems" you see, yet not making a move to change or address them, just like the empty promises of the politicians you so despise.
It's easy to come up a thousand different excuses for not voting. Even if you do not like any of the candidates running, write-in a vote just to voice your dissent. You should not make a complaint if you did nothing to even attempt to stop a course of action.
Your voice matters, no matter what. I'm not saying your one vote could sway a whole election, but by giving a thoughtful offer or contribution to the matter, you are taking an active role in your life and the things you are so passionate about, instead of just being a passive bystander.
Nothing in this life should be handed to you, not even your political leaders. This is a lesson you can reinforce to yourself by a quick trip to the polls and putting forth the effort to choose who will represent you.
You have the opportunity to have a say about your future, the future of your loved ones, and the future of your entire nation, which indirectly affects the future of the world.
Why waste it?
