| Politically apathetic is politically incorrect |
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| Views - Issue 1 |
| Written by Editorial Staff |
| Friday, 02 October 2009 00:00 |
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“The opposite of love is not hate; it’s indifference,” Elie Wiesel said. In a country based on democracy, passion and liberty, there is no room for apathy. Whether it seems like it or not, changes in our government affect every single person in this school; the 18-year-olds and 80-year-olds should all care about healthcare, because someday we will be searching for the lowest insurance costs. Someday, everything that is going through legislation right now will affect our individual liberties in the future. If high school is meant to be a place where we find ourselves, and if the teenage years are supposed to be the time when we figure out our ideals and principles, then politics should not be exempt from this. With the variety of classes all attempting to teach us a little bit more about our American history or government and with an epic presidential election recently passed, we have enough resources and motivation to decide on our opinions. Democrat or Republican? Or maybe, after a more in-depth look at what each party actually stands for, you will realize you are actually a Libertarian or Independent. Whatever it is, now is the time to figure out what we stand for so that when we are older, we have a direct effect on our own futures. We will be able to vote intelligently.
The labels of conservative and liberal, capitalist and communist are often thrown around without a proper understanding of the principles behind them. If we investigated the meaning of each group and what it stands for, we might be surprised as to what we fit into. Our government relies on citizen participation and interaction on every level. And if the presidential election of 2008 has taught us anything, it is that a successful campaign starts on the grassroots level. In essence, the fate of our country begins with our commitment to participation and taking advantage of the democratic opportunities we are offered without cost. So in the end, the question is not “why should we care,” the question is “how can we not care?” We are privileged to be living in the United States and to be given us an incredible opportunity to have on opinion. Yet, with this privilege we are given even greater responsibility. The fate of the government essentially rests in all our hands. We have the ability to change things for the better and to solve major issues that affect all of us. But who will hear our voice unless we speak up? Who will support our opinions until we take a stand? Who will listen to us unless we vote? |