Political Responsibility

Political Responsibility

         A little over sixty years ago my father stormed through the salty water of the Pacific and up the sandy beach of the island of Okinawa. The men entrenched on that island wanted to kill him and tried with all their ability to do so. My father had friends who were not as lucky as he; he walked off of that island. Many of his buddies did not and are still interred beneath the sandy soil. They died violently, never to come home again. I firmly believe my father fought for my right to vote in this upcoming election. His buddies died for that right.

         I’m sure there are those who would roll their eyes and arch their eyebrows at my sentiments. There are those to whom the concept of fighting for our freedom is an abstract idea, holding little meaning because they haven’t experienced the fear of losing that freedom. Today, young Americans in uniform fight in the stark land of Iraq. To many that represents only a television news item. There is no connection between the conflict in Iraq and the freedom experienced at home. If there were, it would be more than an opportunity to garner partisan political points. If they truly understood, it would be more than financial opportunity and television ratings.

         If Americans truly understood the magnitude of the sacrifice our soldiers were making, our election turnout would not be limited to twenty or thirty percent of the total population. If people truly understood, the election turnout would be total. That will not happen.

         There will be people tonight who will not watch the presidential debate. I read a media poll today which indicated that seventy-seven percent of the population has already made up their mind as to who they will be voting for this November. Why should we watch this debate? Because we owe it to those who have paid the ultimate price to be informed. By watching the debate we exercise our freedom of speech. Hopefully, after the debate, when the ‘talking heads’ tell us what we heard, we will exercise our right to ignore them. Political freedom brings responsibility—responsibility to think for ourselves. Unfortunately, we’ve become a lazy people. Many Americans refuse to think for themselves; they passively permit someone else to think for them and draw their conclusions.

         I’m not sure I want those kinds of people voting on Election Day. If it were not for the terrible price that has already been paid, I would be quite content to have them stay off the streets until after the polls were closed. However, even a moron has the right to express his/her opinion and to vote their conscience.

         What disturbs me is the multitude of people who don’t bother to go to the polling place. There are intelligent people who claim it is some sort of meaningful statement to refrain from voting as a protest. That is absolutely insulting to the legions of Americans who’ve paid for their right with their very blood. There is no option as far as I am concerned. You don’t have to vote for the person I vote for. Each person who is eligible must vote for someone. I’ve also heard it said, if you don’t vote you don’t have the right to speak against those who were elected. Nonsense! Whether or not you vote does not have any bearing on your right of free speech. It does; however, determine whether or not you are politically responsible.

         So, what must you do to be politically responsible? First, listen to the arguments and positions with your own ears. Do your own reasoning. It doesn’t have to be correct, just yours. Second, when given the opportunity, vote. Thirdly, respect the right of your neighbor to vote as well. I have not shared who my choice is for president. I am one of the seventy-seven who already know who they will vote for. Regardless of that fact, I will listen to the debates. I will consider the statements made by the candidates. I will go to the polls on Election Day, no early voting for me. I thank those who have died that I may stand in line, enter that little booth, and make a bunch of black marks on a ballot. I do that because I want to; but I do it also because I believe it is my responsibility to do so.