[Marsha to Krimel]
But you are correct about taking the responsibility of citizenship seriously.
[Arlo]
Let me start with this from Wikipedia.
"Over the last 40 years, voter turnout has been steadily declining in
the established democracies. This trend has been most strongly felt
in the United States, and has been significant in Western Europe,
Japan and Latin America. It has been a matter of concern and
controversy among political scientists for several decades. During
this same period, other forms of political participation have also
declined, such as voluntary participation in political parties and
the attendance of observers at town meetings. The decline in voting
has also accompanied a general decline in civic participation, such
as church attendance, membership in professional, fraternal, and
student societies, youth groups, and parent-teacher associations."
(Wikipedia entry on "Voter turnout")
Voter turnout in America has been steadily around the 50% mark for
years (up to a whopping 56% in 2004). We already have a nation where
only about 1/2 of eligible voter actually vote. What has this apathy
gotten us? What gains have been made by the 50% of voter who vote "no
show" in nearly all our elections? How are we better off?
Let me ask, if only 10% of eligible voters vote in 2008, what do you
think will happen? Do you think things are going to change? Or do you
think that 90% of the population will have to live under
representation chosen by 10%?
Any change to the two-party system will have to swell up from the
bottom. Viable alternative parties must win local and state
representation before they ever have a hope to win a national
election, as the party faithful will never vote for a Ron Paul or
Ralph Nader knowing it will, in effect, only mean the opposition wins
the full election. Maybe, in an election with four parties, where
each of the "big two" have a candidate challenging their regular
vote. But then its the prisoner's dilemma, isn't it?
In the meantime, as we watch and must engage in working for change at
the local and state levels, we are left with no choice but to vote
for the lesser of two evils. Well, we have a choice, we can submit to
the will of those of who do vote, in which case we may get the greater evil.
Now, why is apathy so low, even at the local and state levels? Why,
if so many people are "fed up" with the two-party system, is it still
unassailably entrenched? That's a whole other can of worms (the
wikipedia entry presents some ideas)...
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