Voting

When the colonists in the Americas started getting frustrated with the motherland, one of the main gripes was with regard to the parliamentary process in Britain not allowing for representation from America. Under the old system, which really was based on feudal laws dating back to William the Conqueror and earlier, only land holders could vote. And really, only those of the upper class of land owners (the house of lords) could affect policy and change in the country. The colonies were literally owned and governed by these lords in Britain, and they decided what would be best for them, not the colonies. And since their loyalty was to themselves and their own coffers, they enacted legislation that would prove to be incredibly onerous, if not completely disastrous. So the Americans decided they didn't want to be taxed (or governed) without having a say in how things went. We all know what happened.

It is interesting, then, when I see how little that effort has continued to mean to us. I don't know why it is, but it seems we've become more complacent. While presidential election turn out tends to be relatively high, off year elections remain incredibly poorly attended. We just don't go. In Mont Belvieu, the city where I still officially live, there was a very significant ballot initiative - that of a home rule charter for the city. And yet, people stayed away from the polls in droves. I think attendance was in the single digits - roughly 300 people voted. The same thing is true out here in Grants Pass, where an important tax levy was on the ballot. The turnout was around 53% in the county, which is actually pretty good, all things considered. In town the numbers were about the same.

It never ceases to impress me how little value we ascribe to this right. We live in a modern world of convenience, distraction, and relative comfort. Perhaps we have been lulled by the siren call of security. Perhaps we can't be bothered to give up a little time to mail in the ballot. Or stop by a polling place. Whatever the reason, the effect is clear - we become disassociated with our government, and then we complain when it doesn't appear to be working for us. Approval of congress is incredibly low, yet people don't get out to vote for anything different.

It's a bit discouraging, at times.

Yet, it doesn't have to be that way. We can (and should) get back to the polls early and often. We can (and should) become interested and informed in what's going on. We can (and should) engage in civil civic dialogue with friends and neighbors, sharing views and helping to foster interest in what's going on. And we can (and should) even run for office ourselves. It's our right. We are Americans. And we are amazing.