Turning or Tuning Out the Vote

At the risk of being sanctimonious, if you aren't planning to vote during the midterms, what is wrong with you? Literally thousands of Iowans and millions of others around the country will likely sit this election out just because they believe their vote doesn't matter or is being suppressed, that politicians are all crooks, that their vote is being manipulated, etc. Hogwash. Sadly, it means that others are doing their thinking for them. All those political strategists, lobbying efforts, PACs, etc. have targeted them as a demographic and through caterwauling web ads, tv spots, and campaign framed-messages convinced them that they would be suckers to vote (or to vote for their best interests). Add to that those nattering nabobs of negativity that are our friends and family who also reinforce that sentiment and give us comfort to do nothing. In a nutshell, that is what keeps generally decent people from voting.

Some will say, that is overly simplistic and say things like what about those who don't know enough about the candidates and their stances--do we really want them voting?" --Yes we do and clue, check-out Headcount for ways to self-inform about issues and candidates. Well, what about those who mean to but... (kids, work, illness)--surely you have compassion? No, I don't and a clue, vote early or absentee (check-out Vote.org to figure out how). Well, what about those who have committed a crime, should they vote? Yes, when they have served their time, they should automatically be restored to the voter rolls--no governor or panel should be needed--but, your vote can help get this done.

It is your right and privilege to vote or not vote, but ignorance or feeling minimalized are not justifiable reasons--just excuses. Reasons you should vote are numerous, but here are mine:

1. A vote is the oil that makes democracy run. Democracy is still an experimental form of governing. Voting is the mechanism that puts representatives to work for or against you. 
2. A vote is influence peddling. You likely don't have enough money to influence your representatives financially, so the least you can do is help elect the one who you feel will be less likely to screw you over for campaign cash.
3. A vote is a form of hope. You want your world to be better, your schools, neighborhood, state? A vote is for all those things.
4. A vote is a protest. You don't like what a party or candidate are doing, your vote for another party or candidate is your best way to show your discontent.
5. A vote is a voice. Your voice and many others add up to a public library being given the go ahead, a scoundrel given the boot, or a part of the Constitution being amended. 
6. A vote is change. Who really knows what the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) would think about the United States today? What is true is our votes create change through policy, law, and leadership.
7. A vote is the future. With what we hear about the effects of climate change, nukes, and other potentially life ending events and factors, our vote can change the course of humankind or speed our demise.
8. A vote is a choice. A vote says "I think A is better than B" and you have weighed the pros and cons and made a decision.
9. A vote is a responsibility. It is you contract with your neighbors, your fellow citizens and, to some extent, to the people of the world, that you understand that we all need to figure out a way to live with each and thrive together. You vote says you understand that id being responsible.
10. A vote is a connection. The issues, whether they be local, state, or national will impact you and others in good and bad ways. Your vote connects you to the person who is representing you and allows you to petition them when you are aggrieved and encourage them when you want them to do more.
11. A vote is a correction. History tells us that we don't always get it right the first time. A vote is a way to repeal and replace solutions with better ones. 

Tune out or turn out, those are the only choices. How will you vote?