“I’m so fed up, so I’m not going to vote”
Yesterday, we were at the post office taking a picture of my brother mailing in his first ballot, and an man who was just backing up his car to leave smiled and asked what the occasion was. I explained and he said, “At my age you don’t recognize any of the people on the ballot, so I just voted for Initiative 933 for property rights.” After I talked with him about how all the candidate races were important and that there were some really good candidates this year, he said, “I stopped voting for any of the candidates a while ago. The problem is, they promise all this stuff when they’re campaigning, but when they’re elected they don’t do what they said they’d do. ” He has a point, and I agreed with him, but noted that this year their were some really good candidates running that I knew would do what they promised. I also said, “If you are frustrated about the government, that’s why you vote, to vote in those that will represent you, to get out the ones you don’t like.” I could tell he was listening, but from his expressions, he understood, but wasn’t willing to accept it. He replied, “I’m only going to vote a few more years until my retirement and then drop voting all together, and go fish on my boat.” I was dieing inside, and said what I could about how voting is important and a privilege, while he was leaving.
This story is probably happening right now, as I write. This is something that many are experiencing right now. So, here’s the answer: If you are not happy with what’s happening in the government, then the best way to change it is to vote! By not voting, you are not only giving up one of the greatest and most important powers you have as a citizen of the United States, but you are allowing others to be elected that you don’t want, will make bills that don’t support your beliefs, or raise taxes, or make a decision you don’t agree with. Obviously some of the people being elected are not the ones you want, but because you give up your privilege, you don’t even help the candidates who will represent you, who have the right focus, and who are zealous to go to Olympia to work for you! So, vote in the people that will uphold your beliefs and impact the government in a positive way! Put in the good guys and take out the bad guys!
I don’t have time!!! I’m busy, I have a family, I have to work, etc. That’s what this blog is for!!! That’s what I’m here for! If you don’t have time, and your friends don’t either, tune them in on this blog. All you have to do is look for the post subject Voting Recommendations, and follow the bolded words that I have recommended, research about, and see some of them at public meets, debates, etc. I’ve given you my e-mail if you have questions and I’ve written long explanations on why you should vote for them (if not, e-mail me!). If you don’t agree in following my recommendations without researching it first, I totally understand. It doesn’t take very much time to research or read through the Voter’s Pamphlet. Maybe one night, instead of watching TV, reading the newspaper, or extra things, you could research. Voting is once a year and it impacts you, your life, your children’s future, and Washington’s future. Think about it. I encourage you to vote, and use your privilege as a citizen of the United States and make a difference in your State.
I will post more on this later, time is of the essence.
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The system is beyond salvage.
J: You basically just proved her point. You give up, you don’t take the time to make a difference, no difference is going to be made.
A personal testamony: I spent a lot of time this year working on someone’s campaign and it really demonstrated, even though I am too young to vote, how much of an impact one person can make if they are willing to make themself a little uncomfortable for the purpose of making a difference. It doesn’t take a lot, just your vote. In 2002, there was a primary won in the 26th leg. dist., Washington, by 1 single vote. It makes a huge difference. Don’t throw that away.
Good post Betsy.
Right on Jahothanan, you beat me to it . . .
I see what you mean J, but just like what Jahothanan said, giving up won’t help the situation. The government still makes laws that you have to follow and now, their verdicts are waking people up. Like trying to amend the constitution and change the definition of marriage. I don’t believe these issues are debatable, they are foundational. If you change the foundation, the structure will collapse.
This is why I have been politically active and aware of what is going on in the government. I also worked on the same campaign as Jahothanan. It was disappointed when it was unsuccessful, but its failure actually made me more involved, because I saw how difficult it is to really get in the people I want to represent me, and I will never give up trying.
Those in the government are supposed to be representing us, and if we don’t agree with the things they are doing, then we vote in the people who we know will stand behind our beliefs.
THAT’S THE WHOLE PURPOSE BEHIND VOTING!
Its open season to everyone, so if you want to be represented, then you need to vote . . . if your over 18, that is
.
Even if you don’t think government can be salvaged, at least you can keep it from turning worse by upholding the right candidates with your vote.
Precisely! I agree with Jahothanan and Molly. Sorry J, we’re not trying to beat up on you, you just brought up such a good point to discuss that I have to comment as well.
The government has a huge impact on your future, your children’s future, and Washington’s future (this blog is about the State of Washington’s politics). With your outlook, J, you are letting them (the government) form your future, whether you like it or not. The question for you is, are you happy with this? If you want a good future for Washington, you can’t give up and say its no use! That’s the problem! We can do something about it! As proven by Jahothanan’s personal experience, and mine as well. That’s why voting, volunteering to get involved, and calling government officials is so important. It is our fault that the government has ended up this way, and it’s our job to fix it! Granted, not all of it is our fault, but, how did those governmental officials get into their governmental office? The people elected them. You might not agree with the majority of the people’s political views, but that’s all the more reason to vote, since we are the minority!
The government isn’t going to improve on its own, and it is our duty as U.S. Citizens and Washingtonians (all ages) to make a difference.
Thank you all for commenting. I’ve wanted to have a political discussion on my blog, so thanks for posting your opinions so that we could!
I’ll stick with my original position. Big money and a corrupt professional political culture demonstrate that our political system is broken. IMHO, the old adage of having to work for change within the system no longer applies. A possible solution is term limit, but the politicians would have to enact them, and I’d say there’s zero chance of that ever happening.
We’re witnessing the beginning of the end now. In ten years it’ll be obvious to all but the ostriches. The politicians will never make the kind of tough choices that might save us, and they couldn’t get elected if they threatened to. We’re cursed to live in intetesting times. Unfortunately they’ll be progressively more so from here on out.
You know what J? I agree with you, but the difference is that I am going to try to do something about it, however hopeless it seems.
I think, though, that the problem is not with the political system or even the politicians. The problem is mostly with, from my point of view, the rejection of religion in our country and our education system. See, most people are coming out of our public schools with very little real education. They cannot think for themselves and they do whatever people tell them to do. 50% of students in Washington State that enter a community college are taking remedial math. They cannot add basic fractions or even whole numbers. All over the country, most students are not learning anything about the history or founding of our country. In the major league universities, they even had negative learning concerning US history. The freshman knew more history than the seniors. How are these people supposed to understand what the politicians are telling them about the budget, about the economic system, about the education system, or anything else?
My point is that there is more that needs to be fixed than just the political system. Much more. And since it is impossible for any man to fix everything, please vote and please pray for our country.
J, Can I ask you something? What is your political experience? Like, being a page, involved in a campaign, etc. Don’t take offense to this, I just don’t know. The reason why I ask this is because through my experience, for example, a senator, they are usually pretty open with what you think, and one phone call can influence them to vote in the direction you want. You can have a major impact on government stuff whether you believe it or not. And, by saying “Big money and a corrupt professional political culture demonstrate that our political system is broken” doesn’t fix it. If a vase is broken, you can fix it, gluing piece by piece. And, in time, God willing, the vase will be repaired. You have to do it one candidate at a time. The government is going in the direction and plan that God has for it, and even if it doesn’t make sense to us right now, He has a better plan and knows what he is doing. I’m mean, come on, he created the universe! It says in 1 Timothy 3: 1-2 (NIV) “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prays, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all Godliness and Holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” One of the most productive and powerful things we can do right now is pray for all those in authority. God works in mysterious ways, and anything is possible through Christ who strengthens us. It might not make sense right now, but we need to trust in Him who has a plan and purpose for Washington.
“A possible solution is term limit…” Like I said before, the power is all in the people, they’re the ones that elect all those in governmental office. If you vote in the right people, then you wouldn’t have to limit the term, plus when you limit it, it makes it harder for them to get good things done. Not all of them are “bad”, you just don’t hear about them. The media only talks about the negative, therefore everyone only hears about the negative… but that’s another story. I have had the privilege of meeting and talking with several great senators and other political people who are in the midst of all the corruptness, but not of it, and are doing the right things, writing great bills, and doing their job.
Basically, I would encourage you to think more positively and be more optimistic, because there are more positive things in life. I don’t think the “end times” are coming just yet. I can’t predict the future, but I certainly know that during 9/11 people thought it was the end times, and during World War I and II people though that too.
So, the most important thing that I would like to take away from this discussion is that you can make a difference and we can bring the government around, one candidate by a time, by voting, and spreading the word about good candidates so that they can be voted in to make a difference!!!