It is time for us to start plotting our actions for this upcoming presidential election year. In just one year from this month we will be called to perform our most significant contribution to society: casting our votes for who should lead and represent America for the following four years. As this will be the first time in my life that I have been able to vote in a presidential election, I am very eager to participate and then to thumb my nose at Bush all the way home afterwards.
While I am very excited about this next election, I am also concerned that many other Americans will relinquish the privilege of voting in favor of doing something menial such as watching TV like they usually do. Voting is one’s obligation to society and there is absolutely no excuse short of being in a coma through Election Day for not doing it, especially in presidential elections.
My fears that many will abstain from voting out of pure apathy are heightened by how important I feel this election will be. I am far from alone in feeling that President Bush has caused great damage to his own country and multiple others, more than I fathomed could be done in a mere four years. In my eyes and those of many other people, it is vital that we rid ourselves of the plague that is George W. Bush in this election. Every vote can and does make a difference regardless of what cynics might tell you, and I have faith that America’s voters will come out against Bush for the second time in a row as the popular vote went to Al Gore the first time around. The electoral college may still be an obstacle for us, but I expect that all institutions involved in taking and counting votes will be watched closely as to avoid repeating last year’s many shady dealings in Florida.
The gloves are off and I feel hopeful the election next year will be a fair fight. There is no reason whatsoever for any of-age citizen not to vote. Nonetheless, I expect laziness to still be a strong factor that will keep many away from the voting polls. Laziness comes into effect in many ways concerning voting. First, there is the work involved in researching the individual candidates running in the primary elections so that one can make an educated vote. Later, there is the bother that is actually dragging one’s sorry butt to the polls.
Sadly, nothing can be done to make dragging yourself to the polls easier. As far as the research work is concerned, I have a solution for those lazy citizens who would rather abstain from voting than put a little effort. Do not do the research, but vote anyway. Simply familiarize yourself with the two most popular candidates in the primaries, the ones who will stand the best chance of defeating the tyrant Bush, and choose from only those two people, ignoring all other candidates. I realize that this is not an admirable suggestion, but I think it is a necessity in order to guarantee the downfall of Bush. Right now, the front runners of the Democratic Party seem to be Dean, Carey and General Clark. All others please step back and simplify the voting process for the fickle voters. Keep hope alive for our country’s liberation and swift recovery from Bush. Bring it on, conservatives. I’m ready.
Dan Goldstein can be contacted at [email protected]