Vote 2012: the importance of being registered

Every day in America, complete strangers make choices based on budget policies and intangible legislation. They decide what the health care options, educational agendas and sexual preferences of a patriotic American should be.

Every day, American citizens question the choices made by those strangers and wonder if there is a more effective action than just pushing papers under the rug at Capitol Hill. It is highly unlikely the youthful, working class will line the streets and tip police cars just like the Haymarket Riots of the 1800s, but their collective efforts can make a change by voting.

“Elections are hard to change because (politicians) are working under the current system they voted for. They have made changes and they listen … sometimes,” said Jim Allen, a member of the Chicago Board of election.

Regardless, by forsaking the right to choose, one also abandons their right to criticize and complain. It is obvious to politicians that Americans between the ages 18 and 25 are less likely to vote than those eligible for Medicare. While this is great for the senior population, the concerns of the youth are often overlooked. The new generation’s ambivalence is the sole destructor of what America could be.

“Maybe kids don’t vote because they live out of state and don’t want to apply for an absentee ballot because they don’t know how, and maybe some of them have only been eighteen for a couple of months,” said DePaul junior Sarah Cypher.

By not voting, the needs of a major group of individuals are neglected. Politicians will cater to those that can vote for them, and in present times, the elderly are given the advantage over the youth, and a staggering amount of social issues go unnoticed.

“There were people who were lynched, who were shot for the right to vote. If you don’t like the choices on the ballot, do something. Elections have consequences,” said Allen.

Older generations don’t lose sleep over the challenging process of receiving financial aid and what could happen if the amount of aid given is reduced. They don’t have the same concerns as younger generations do about reproductive rights. They don’t listen on the topic of wealth disparity because their votes have already provided a system of security. When younger generations neglect their right to significantly represent a large part of America, freedom suffers.