In the country today, we are faced with a political system that is in extreme danger of being broken, and it is because of our own doing. Everyone is quick to just blame the politicians. In many cases, it is true that the politicians have in fact contributed to the partisan and divided system we are seeing today. People always give politicians a bad reputation, and it is in part true because a lot of politicians who get elected have their own personal agendas to fulfill during their tenure in office. This is unfortunate for our country’s future, as this power conquest of some politicians has led to not only partisan politics, but also a feeling of distrust, betrayal and bitterness by the American people towards the idea of politicians and politics as a whole. Because of this, people are refusing to vote or participate in the political process at all. There is now a common mindset that participating in the political process does no good; people believe the politicians that are now in power are going to just do whatever they want anyway because they are corrupt.
Unfortunately, the corruption in the system, as well as the people who are only out for themselves, will continue to exist and be in power so long as people who either refuse or fail to participate continue to remain on the sidelines and not try to change it for the better. It is not just the politicians who are responsible for change because they have to be elected by the citizens they are supposed to represent. Election Day was this past Tuesday, and it is my fervent hope that all of the people reading this column have voted either here in the state of Florida or managed to get an absentee ballot and vote wherever they are from. Each vote truly does make a difference, and the more people think that way, the more things will perhaps change. People need to get informed on the issues, know why they believe in what they do and be as educated as possible so that they can make an educated decision on something as serious as voting. It is irresponsible for people to simply vote a certain way just because they have always grown up in a conservative or liberal household, or any other reason that has nothing to do with personal knowledge about the issues and rhetoric each candidate is saying. It is just as irresponsible and rather arrogant to be of legal voting age, not vote and think that someone who does not vote has just as much right to criticize those in power or policies being decided as those who do vote. This country was based on the premise that everyone has the say to be involved and the freedom to speak freely without any recourse against them. Granted, it is also the right of each citizen to not vote; however, I would ask those who argue this how they got the right to not vote. The freedoms that we cherish in this country, to do something or not do it, is because of the blood, sweat and tears of every soldier, statesmen and citizen who stood up to the autocratic system we had under the British Empire. One vote does make a difference and there are many examples of this throughout history.
1845 – One vote made Texas part of the United States.
1846 – One vote decided on war with Mexico.
1876 – One vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States
The United States of America is a country full of people from all over the world – people with different cultures, beliefs and opinions. It has had its share of problems throughout its history, like any other country, but it is certainly without a doubt the best place to live and to be free. The way to keep it like this and to make it better is to get out and participate, to get involved in shaping the future of this country not just for ourselves but for the future generations to come. As Albert Einstein said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”