Are You Apathetic?

Apathy is defined as is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation or passion. An apathetic individual an have an absence of interest in or concern about just everything in his life from the emotional to physical. Today, I would also add the absence of interest in “politics” and “what is going on beyond one's own sphere of self.”

What is so incredible about this country is the men who founded it and spent their lives and fortunes writing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is the passion they had, the interest they had, and the concern they had for the United States of America. I believe they felt what they had done would be honored and revered by all who followed them. I'm sure they didn't think that there would ever be those who wouldn 't really care about America, what was happening around them, and what was going on that really affected them personally.

Sadly, there are many Americans now who are in that category. 94,000,000 did not vote in the last election! An astonishing statistic? I was so angry with those people. Why don't they vote?

The answers given over the years have ranged from “I didn't like either one” to “no time,”- “too long a line”- “my vote will not mean anything” - “too much traffic.” What do all these answers have in common? Apathy. All the answers reflect no concern for a right that many people in the world do not have.

People must have an opinion about the government and the way it should work. There are still plenty of legitimate reasons to be mad at the politicians on both sides of the aisle. Their childish inability to work together, their massive overspending natures that would cripple any private business or household budget, and let’s not forget the sequester the budget, the deficit, etc. All are valid reasons for us to pay attention to what’s going on in Washington and to hold our representatives accountable for their actions.

There are so many avenues of information, it is easy to find the answers to any question or concern one has. If all you do is complain and do not at least try to find out what to do about it, then you are apathetic, a true lazy onlooker.

The first step is to register. It is not difficult. Simply, download an application at http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx and mail it in with a stamp or go to the DMV. After that, you will receive a voter registration card in the mail telling you where to vote. Keep it in your wallet or purse all the time. Not rocket science, folks! There are plenty of people who would be glad to take a non-voter to register if you don't have a computer.

After such a simple experience, you should do yourself and the rest of your fellow Americans a favor and find out what are the major issues of the time, look them up, read a bit about them, form an opinion on your own (not someone else telling you what is best for you), and find that candidate that really “floats your boat.” Find that one person who feels the same as you, and I mean “feels!” Does he or she have a real concern, a honest passion, and a real understanding of the issues, or is he blowing smoke and speaking in circles repeating talking points of his party?

Don't make the mistake of being a “one issue” voter because there will be many issues that are important in making America prosperous and economically stable, and all of them matter in their own right, but you must be able to choose at least five that are the most important. Then, knowing the candidate who most reflects your views on these subjects, you can go to the poll and vote knowing you did you homework and no longer can be considered lazy and apathetic.

If you take it upon yourself to register to vote, Congratulations, you have now preserved one of the rights afforded to us by the blood of countless patriots.