Yesterday, I was at work having a conversation with a guest and somehow things turned to politics. While his political views differed from those of mine, I won't get into all that and that is not what I am going to be talking about today. What really bothered me was the fact that he told me not to vote. He said, "You're young and in college don't worry about voting just yet. Just have fun and party." While I got the feeling he was joking around with me (especially because we disagreed on who we would be voting for), I didn't think it was very funny.

Young people not taking an interest in voting when they turn 18 is a big issue in our country. Many of us don't realize the importance that just one person's vote can make. So many countries are not able to have a say in matters but we do! We must must must take advantage of this. So many of us complain about the way things are done or that we want to see change but by making the decision not to vote, you are feeding into the problem. While politics isn't the most interesting topic to me, I try to make it a point to learn about what is going in because it may directly affect me, my family, and my future. If you have an opinion, make it known! Don't let all the votes in elections be cast by older generations because they may have much different views than you. You might think it won't make a difference but it most certainly will!

I think some people believe that it is because our generation is "lazy" or "doesn't care," but I don't believe that is the reason at all. Some feel that many of the things we are voting for won't directly affect us but it can have a huge impact on our day to day lives. I believe that our generation has a lot to say we are just either afraid to say it or afraid that what we say won't matter or won't be heard. Of course it matters! An entire generation sharing their knowledge and experiences with the rest of the world through voting is a great way to begin making changes. It may seem like such a small act but it can really make a huge difference. I think that it is so important that our generation shares our knowledge and ideas with others in as many ways as we can.

This can also be applied to life outside the world of politics. Within your local communities, clubs, organizations, and teams it is so important to let your voice be heard! If you have ideas and thoughts about how to improve ways of doing things, you should not be afraid to let it be known. If there is a vote for something going on at school, participate! Let it be known that you have a voice and an opinion and it matters!