Didn't vote? For shame

So how many of you actually voted on Election Day?

Hard to know for sure, but if my conversations around campus this week were any indication, not many, I'd say.  Regrettably, most of you apparently decided to sit this election out.

Your reasons?

"Too busy."

"Didn't know anything about who was running."

"One vote doesn't really count."  

"Doesn't matter who's elected--they're all the same."

I guess when you feel powerless, it's easy to convince yourself that your voice and your vote aren't important because no one's really listening to you anyway.  And I suppose when you're pretty clueless about what's happening in the country, you can say--and genuinely believe--that it doesn't matter who's in charge.

But let me tell you otherwise.  

Make no mistake: the people who get elected to office--be it in Washington, Albany, New York City or Mineola--have a big say in your life.  They arrive with views and values that often translate into laws and policies that can impact your education, your finances, your health, your freedom, and your future.

Let me also point out--in case you haven't noticed--that there are some people holding office in this country who don't exactly have your best interests in mind.  I'm not naming names here (that's for you to figure out), but let's just say that not everybody in government sees students--or young people in general--as deserving of the same rights, privileges, and benefits as others.  In fact, some see nothing wrong with shortchanging your generation, especially if they think you're not going to notice or speak up about it. 

Distressing? Yeah.  Hopeless? Hardly.

For you still have the right to vote, a privilege some people on this planet would die for.  And contrary to what the cynics in the crowd might say, your vote does count--even more so if enough of you get yourselves to the polls. 

Before the next election rolls around, start paying more attention to the world beyond your Facebook page and learn who's on your side and who isn't (trust me, there are some in each category). I guarantee you'll be astonished by what you discover.  

And come next Election Day, vote as if your future depends upon it.

Because it does--now maybe more than ever. 

Here's to Democracy . . .