Teens Talk - To Vote or Not to Vote

The Grand Rapids Times
9-26-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Many of my readers may wonder why “Teens Talk,” is devoting an article to the subject of, voting or not voting, in this historical Presidential election.
Well, my answer is to the point of no return.
Voting is very important in any election whether it is for national or local leaders. Voting is a privilege extended to all law abiding American citizens of our fifty states.
I personally believe that voting is an obligation for all who desire to challenge our leaders into implementing laws which would enhance the quality of life for the citizen body of this great nation.
The many noted failures in a Democracy form of government appear when people become compliant and transfer their powers to others.
In exercising the right to vote, the voter is engaging in the sharing of power with his/her elected leaders.
In the last few weeks, and even days, our national and local newspapers and television news media have disclosed the bailing-out of financial sectors and homeowners with troubled mortgages.
These bailouts don’t just have preliminary consequences, they have long range disadvantages that you and I, as young Americans, will have to pay for from our first pay check until retirement.
This is why “Teen Talk” has devoted this article to the question: “To Vote Or Not To Vote?”
How can we as a generation of young Americans not seriously exercise our right to vote?
This is my first year of college, however, I don’t think so kindly of being burdened by my portion of $700 billion rescue of the financial sector.
When I graduate from college, I hope to enter graduate school, and assist my community, and possibly have a family down the line.
I don’t want to have this $700 billion bailout, and other mistakes that our present national leaders have made, to limit me in providing well for my future family.
We must, as young and older adults, educate ourselves about the issues that will leave lasting impact on our generation and future generations.
We need to keep check on the leaders that we elect into office.
I think it is a good practice for all of us to let these leaders know that American citizens will be handing out report cards during their tenure in office.
“To Vote Or Not To Vote,” is not the question in these times of national security, financial problems, high unemployment, high oil prices, and bailouts of General Motors, Financial sectors, and mortgage foreclosures.
The question should be: Who is the right man or lady, to be elected, to release us young Americans from “Juvenile Bankruptcy?”
My generation and your children are headed for “Juvenile Bankruptcy,” and we have not even had a chance to make our own debt yet.
If you are not registered to vote and you are age 18 and above, or will be 18 on or before November 4, 2008, please register to vote by October 6, 2008. Go to your nearest Secretary of State Office.
If you are not 18-years of age, yet, and you have brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles that are old enough to vote, please plead with them to cast their vote this November 4, 2008.
If the masses of Americans exercise their right to vote and take back their personal political power, the term “Juvenile Bankruptcy” may never commence on this and future generations.
There is a wise saying: “If you do the same thing all the time; you will get the same results.”
So, if we did not exercise our vote last election, do so this time. If you voted last time, continue to exercise your vote this time.
Change is a powerful and scarce commodity in our government, but we can assist by being one of the change agents if we go out and vote. Let us vote for Change.
I’m going to leave you all with this, Ecclesiastes 3:1; “To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Now is the time for our generation to make a difference and vote.