I made the grave mistake of logging on to Facebook in the middle of last night's presidential debate. It got ugly. I realize that people are passionate about the future of our country, but I have my doubts that arguments on Facebook, or even a televised debate between the candidates, will create change.
Over the past few years I have begun to believe a systemic change is necessary. It's 2012, and essentially my primary vote did not count. I did not have a say in who is running for president. I went to the polling place to cast my vote anyway because I believe the very act of voting is important.
Growing up an east coast girl, I never realized the how much sway those of us on the Atlantic side of the country have on the outcome of elections. Think about how those evening voters on the west coast feel when projections from Virginia or Florida, the so-called battleground states, are reported. Does it discourage them from getting out to vote if they are told by the media that the states that "matter" have already been decided?
In a country where we can communicate with those on the other side of the world in real time and financial transactions happen instantly, couldn't we find a way for every vote to count? Equality means that every vote has the same impact on the outcome.
Oh, and maybe we could add a third party for a true three-ring circus!
Image Credit:
Oh, yes! And when you come to think of it, your vote in the election really won't matter, either. What's your (or my) one vote in the grand scheme of things?
ReplyDelete