by Muhammad Sayyid
The right to vote is a privilege not to be taken lightly. Ask any convicted felon who has lost that right. So it irks me tremendously when I hear entitled voters stating that they will not vote for whatever reason. Voting privileges were won for the common citizen with tremendous hardship and those who have inherited this legacy must exercise it responsibly today. This is a sentiment that would undoubtedly hold favor with the survivors of the suffrage movements of the past. To voluntarily refuse to vote in a national election should indeed be viewed as nothing short of betrayal and desertion of your country in its time of need.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Refusing to vote is a sure sign that a citizen is ignorant of the stakes involved in the elections process. Democracy is defined as “government of the people (or Nation) by the people (or citizens) for (on behalf of) the people.” In plainspeak that means the officials who run the affairs of the Nation are to be chosen by its citizens to do what is in the best interest of the people. An election is the process by which these public officials are selected by the citizens. Every citizen with the right to vote is required to have a say in the process. Your vote is your voice. It allows you to state your judgment as to the suitability of a candidate to handle the affairs of your country! As such, you can grant or deny candidates the posts they are seeking if you believe that they are not suitable for such positions. Remember, these individuals are seeking power over your affairs as well as the affairs of the entire nation. Your vote gives them power to make far-reaching and binding choices for you. Your vote gives them the authority to do whatever they deem fit with the resources of your country. These resources also include the lives and personal property of every citizen.
PARTY CHOICES OR PERSONAL CONVICTIONS?
It is imperative that you do not lose sight of the issues involved in voting. Every country that favors the “democratic” process uses the “political party” principle. Sometimes, this enables unscrupulous individuals to hijack the government of their country. Candidates are presented for electoral positions from within opposing political groups with differing political positions and viewpoints. These viewpoints, or manifestoes, represent the policies that will be implemented by officers of these groups if elected to national office. It is the responsibility of each political group to present their candidate to all citizens in the most favorable light. This is done by ads and political spin-doctors. Despite the hype, it is still the responsibility of each citizen to intelligently evaluate the candidate and determine his /her suitability for the post. The current habit of voting according to our “party” affiliation rather than our personal conviction has been responsible for all of the political disasters befalling our nation. Bearing in mind the awesome power of a vote, every voter ought to vote their conviction. Let’s face it, our party leaders can be wrong and often are. Because an individual is selected as the party’s representative in an election does not always mean he is the best person for the job. When, as a citizen, you are confronted with the choice of a bad candidate, isn’t your duty to your country more valuable than your party loyalty?
ABSTENTION IS A VOTE
Whether or not you cast your ballot, a vote is always recorded in your name. When an election takes place, every citizen is affected by the outcome, whether or not they personally participated. No matter how much you gripe afterwards, the election results will not be overturned because you did not cast your material ballot. Those who do not physically participate in the process are considered as being satisfied with the incumbent administration. Therefore, they are viewed as having voted in favor of the current administration. It is only those people wanting to affect the outcome of an election who participate. Non-participants are viewed, not as protesters, but as supporters of the current administration. The most effective way you can express your opinion about your nation’s governance is through the power of your ballot. Your ballot can stop the wrong person from acquiring the reins of government and the purse strings of your nation’s economy. Your tiny vote is huge enough to prevent the complete disintegration of your nation and your way of life. Your vote may be the one needed to break a tie and topple the administration you loathe so much. You can moan, complain and gripe all you want about the lousy administrative policies of your current government. Nothing will change until you cast your ballot in the electoral process in a vote to change the administration. It is only the physical presence of your ballot that can affect the desired changes in your country’s administration. So next time you are mad at your government, don’t withhold your vote, cast it!
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Muhammad Sayyid will soon be releasing his book "The Success Chronicles (Unleash your entreprenuerial spirit)". He produces 2 blogs: "Sound of Success" (http://www.simplefinancialsuccess.com )and "Computer Repair Tips" (http://muhammadsmoment.blogspot.com/)
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