When it comes to politics, many of us shy away from the subject. Whether it is because we are uninformed or misinformed, the entire matter can carry a looming and almost portending sort of sense with it. Understandably, it’s intimidating.
As a key target audience for political front-runners in all parties, college students and young adults in general are bombarded with very mixed and confusing messages from networks on television.
Matters concerning us are often the center of contentious debates. Such topics include student loans, the housing and job markets and the environment.
Since we are viewed as a demographic that can swing either way politically, candidates want our vote. And believe me, they will work for it.
These facts make it all the more important for us to do just that, vote. We are an educated, opinionated, large and important group of people.
We are the future of America. But unfortunately. a large percentage of young adults are not voting.
As a consequence of not voting as much as we should be, we are only putting ourselves and our futures at a major disadvantage.
Many of the important issues today, are unique to us or are very crucial in how they will affect us later in life.
I hate to admit it, but we will be the ones left to face these mounting troubles that have previously never even existed.
Issues concerning the social security crisis, a depleting environment and resources with a record high national debt, are all topics that may not have been looked at twice in the past.
All too often we see scenarios where we, as young adults, are not involved and do not vote because we think “my vote will not really make a difference” or “I do not like any of the candidates”.
Yet without a doubt, hundreds of unhappy ranting Facebook posts or tweets about the current president, governor or situation will be seen all over social media.
That type of poor mentality will not stimulate any kind of change. However, your votes can and will make a difference, whether you believe it or not.
It is understandable that as young adults and college students, we already have so much on our plates.
Going to vote on the day of an election seems like too much work and effort, but that is no excuse.
I must admit that I am guilty of such behavior myself, but if we all change our perspective and act on it we can make a difference.
We cannot sit back and watch these issues unfold right in front of our eyes and just complain about it. We are granted freedoms in the United States that other countries are deprived of.
We are given a voice and it is up to us if we want to productively use that voice for the good.
Realistically, one single vote will not likely alter the ultimate outcome of a political race; however, those thousands that are typically missing, sure will.
If enough young adults share the belief that their one vote will not make a difference and consequently do not vote, ironically the opposite will end up happening.
Guess what; all of those non-votes actually will end up making a difference.
On the other hand, if enough of us get out there and cast our votes, we can change the outcome and our votes will make a difference.
There is power in numbers, and we should take advantage of that.
So next time there is an important election, I hope that we all get up, get out, and vote. Together our votes can make a difference.
