Every vote counts

On Nov. 26, 2000, Harris County, Fla., certified that Republican Texas Gov. George Walker Bush had defeated Democratic Vice President Albert Gore by a 537-vote margin. On Dec. 12, 2000, Gore conceded the election to President-Elect Bush, and the rest is now history. Only twice in American politics has an election been decided so closely, both in 1876 and 1960.

The power of the American voter was truly seen in these contests. It’s too bad that elections can’t always be this close, or we would always have interested and educated voters flocking to the polls in numbers to express their feelings.

We, as Americans, hold the most solemn power that democracy bestows upon us all, and that is the power of the vote. With one ballot cast, you determine the future of the government of the United States of America and the individuals who represent us. That is a power that few choose to utilize in this country, and so few in the world own this right.

The Constitution of the United States is the oldest democratic document in the world, and many have flocked to this nation for the very rights that natural born citizens here take for granted. We must always keep in mind that our society is the most privileged and that many men and women, on this very day, fight and die to protect our solemn democratic rights.

President Lyndon Baines Johnson said that “the first duty of democracy” is the right to vote. So why do so many choose not to exercise this fundamental power?

Many argue they feel their vote does not count, and that representatives will not govern by the will of the people.

As a society we cannot think in those terms; we must always remember that the will of the people govern this country.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” If you do not like the path our country has forged, you have the fundamental right to pave another road.

If at any point you are skeptical on whether or not your vote makes a difference, remember your feelings toward affordable education, job security, Supreme Court appointments, civil rights, health care, the environment, the national debt, and, most importantly, military and foreign policy. If these issues matter to you, then you owe it to yourself and your country to vote.

By not voting you rescind your right to complain if the path forged by our elected officials is not the path you wish to see our country take. The minute the people of the United States surrender the right to vote is when this country surrenders its pure democratic values.

So, North Lake students, participate in a process that is truly unique and under-utilized by our generation and come to the polls in November. Our generation’s future depends on your participation.

— Todd Hill is currently an evening student majoring in political science who intends to transfer to Tulane University in New Orleans, La., for the fall ’05 semester. He is also on the leadership council for the DFW Kerry/Edwards campaign and a key volunteer for Congressman Martin Frost’s campaign.