PSA: October 6th and Idiots

Idiot. A few some years ago I was in a cafe drinking some coffee with someone really smart and he told me I was an idiot after I told him that I wasnt interested in politics and wasnt interested in participating and in voting for anyone. That I hated civics class in high school and that I slept through it all...

You're an idiot! And I took immediate offense. I'm not an idiot!  I snapped back, I am not! I dont think. You don't even know the meaning of the word idiot, that's how idiotic you are, he says, look it up in the dictionary and you'll see your picture right beside the word he says.

I knew he was just joking around with me, but the mood really soured after this, and this just gave me another reason why not to be interested in politics and to avoid any talks of politics altogether. Since then I never voted either for anyone or anything.

This is year is something different though. Earlier this year we had an exciting Democratic primaries. And so far it's been an interesting race between the Democrats and the Republicans. I've been trying to learn everything I can in my spare time, about the issues, about the differences, about the candidates, reading papers, visiting websites, watching and enjoying the conventions, the speeches, the debates. Yes, I never knew how politics could be so serious and yet so fun. And inspiring too.

Seriously. Feeling the effects of the economy, especially the past couple of months with the financial disaster, seeing and feeling the effects, the pressures, the worries, the layoffs, the foreclosures and the horror stories. The job stability. I realize now how important of a role the President of these United States plays in our country, for our country and in representing our country. I realize how important this is, especially now with the direction of where our country is headed, has been heading in the past four or so years. I also realize now the importance of voting, and how important my one vote counts.  In the last election, the presidency was determined by just a couple (of million) votes. Around a 100 million or so potential eligible voters did not participate.

There is one interesting statistic/study I read recently. We as a country, out of the 28 "Democratic" countries studied, we the United States of America continues to have the lowest voter turnout rate. We're one of the oldest "Democratic" countries still in existence in this world today, and yet we continue to rank dead last in terms of voter turnout.  In the last election approximately 60% turned out to vote. The other lazy 40 or so percent, including me, stayed home and watched the election from the sidelines. This is really a shame.  Especially so since our country goes to wars trying to "liberate" and help to bring democracies to other countries. Especially so since peoples have sacrificed, have fought and died for our country  and for our freedoms (and for others'). It's a shame that 40 or so percent of our country, a 100 million or so lazy voters chose to stay home, took for granted and not participate in the democratic process. I am so ashamed.

Tomorrow, October 6th, 2008, is the last day to register for many states. Some deadlines for other states have already passed. I urge my fellow citizens to go check out this site for the deadlines in your state and go register. And learn about the candidates and the issues and go participate and vote on November 4th. A good reason to take the days off!

Four years ago a really smart friend told me I was an idiot and told me to look up the word. And after all these years I finally did:

Idiot. From wikipedia: "Declining to take part in public life, such as democratic government of the polis (city state), such as the Athenian democracy, was considered dishonorable..."

I'm registered and ready and participating, are you?