AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 05
Monday, November 5, 2007
It’s your right to vote. Use it!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve hit the first week of November, the traditional time for elections, and there’s a Sandy Springs issue to be settled. It’s a special election to fill a vacated seat on the city council.
I only bring this up because I’m guessing few of you folks reading this are aware:
a) The first Tuesday of November is annually election day b) That there is a local issue to be decided c) Who the candidates are and where they stand
And that should bother all of us. Maybe even scare us.
At the age of 18 we get the right to vote, but we should also understand it is a privilege to get to vote. You don’t have to pass a test or pay a fee or know somebody on the inside to be able to vote.
You just have to register. Fill out a short form and you, too, can be part of this great democracy. Unfortunately, that’s more effort than a lot of us are willing to invest. I mean what with the new season of TV shows, cruising the Internet for celebrity gossip and navigating the mall - who the heck has time to invest in citizen participation?
And even most of those registered to vote can’t muster the time and energy to actually go cast that vote. And of those who might vote, if election day weather is too extreme, they’re likely to pass.
These are the same folks who scream the loudest when something doesn’t go their way and wonder why those in elected office aren’t doing more for them. I know this might be a radical thought, but can someone who holds an elected position do anything for someone who didn’t participate in the elective process.
Here’s an intemperate thought - if you can’t prove you voted in the last city election, you don’t get to complain about anything. We’ll put in some special seating at all public meetings for you to sit and listen - but no vote, no voice.
Want to speak your mind? Show up with your slip from the most recent election. Call it your license to whine.
Back in the ’60s we were told if we weren’t part of the solution, we were part of the problem. Well, I have seen the problem and the problem is us.
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