To the Editor:
Did you know that only around 10 percent of people our age are politically active (meaning they vote)? If you are not staying abreast of current events or even voting in the elections, you are not fulfilling your duties as a citizen in a democracy.
The age for voting was changed to 18 because people felt that if you could die for your country at war, then you should have a say in the policies of your country. How many of you are ready to die for this nation because you believe it accurately represents or protects what you want out of life?
The student population of this nation is poised to make a great difference in politics. Most politicians don’t address student concerns because they know students aren’t going to make a difference in the elections. But we can! Your concerns are just as valuable as anyone else’s. You pay taxes too! All we need is a little motivation: Motivation to be educated and motivation to get off our butts and vote. In South Africa, people will stand in line all day in order to exercise their right to vote.
We can start locally. You may have noticed this week members of the Democracy Matters group handing out voter registration cards. If you have not yet registered to vote, please do it. The deadline for voter registration is this Thursday, October 9. Democracy Matters will also be educating people on the issues and candidates in the local elections in the following weeks.
This is your right to a better life. If you do not vote, then you have no valid reason to complain or, better yet, if you do not vote you have no right to be proud of this nation.
Check out http://www.rockthevote.com/. Educate, vote!
Brian Reece
IME ’03
