This election season is the most interesting seasons that I can remember. Our country is still not where it should be economically or politically. Many people are frustrated with the government — both Democrats and Republicans. Republicans will tell you that extending government power is far from being a problem solver and should be a last resort. Democrats believe that the government should be more responsible for our needs as Americans, but the circumstances and disappointment in the current leadership has them concerned about losing both houses of Congress. The Tea Party movement is going to make this November an interesting one. This neo-ultra-conservative movement has actually started to look like a third party instead of a rally against government. They believe in a constitutionally-limited government with responsible government spending and a fair or flat tax for all Americans.
It is clear that the majority of Americans are not happy with the current status of our country, but it is even more clear that no one party or ideology is going to have answers that will please everyone. However, there is one way that you can make sure to have your opinions expressed, and that is through the ballot.
The power to vote is something that should not be taken lightly. I am not going to sit here and tell you to go vote, because quite frankly I don’t want all of you voting. In 2008, MTV and other popular organizations ran their own type of campaigns to get everyone to vote. They were stressing the wrong point about the process. It is not important to go vote, it is important to be informed first and then go vote. I think everyone has the right to vote, but unless you are informed, it is a waste of your time and dangerous. In 2008, over 60% of the total U.S. population voted. It was the biggest turnout for an election in over 40 years. However, the knowledge of the candidates and their issues was atrocious. There were countless radio and Youtube clips of people saying things such as Sarah Palin would make a great vice president for Barack Obama. It is comical that people would say that, but it is also frightening.
An uninformed electorate can be just as dangerous as an evil tyrant. I urge the members of the N.C. State community as well as anyone else who reads this to start informing yourself now. If you are not informed about your candidates, I do not feel like you are doing your democratic duty. Please do not wait until election day and just vote for the people with the D or the R beside their names; that is how people like Bev Perdue get put into office. Give those votes to the people who can help you, your state, and your country the most. Make them earn their spot, and don’t vote for them because of the success or shortcomings of the parties that they represent.
