Could we be seeing a decline in apathy?

August 17th, 2009

Okay, if you’ve read any of this blog, you will know that I am no fan of President Obama. I am no fan of his health care plan, or his email address to report ‘fishy’ websites, or his economic plan. But, he is our president and this is still America and I still have the right to speak out and share my opinion. You have the right, also, to speak out and share your opinion.

One of the things I believe this country has suffered from for as long as I can remember is apathy. It seems like every local, state or national election brings news of low voter turnout. People just don’t think they can make a difference. I hear it all the time, “Mine is just one vote,” or “My wife’s vote will just cancel mine out, so why should we vote?” and other excuses for not voting. I try to tell them to vote anyway, because if they put their 1 vote with someone else’s 1 vote and so forth, then they will see a change.

However much I disagree with the president, he is the president and he did manage to do something that has been lacking in this country for a long time: he got people to vote, people who haven’t voted in a long time, if ever. And he got elected. Now, his health care plan which has become known as Obamacare, is causing a great deal of controversy. Opinions are strong both in favor of and against it. There are debates, town hall meetings, articles, blog posts, etc. flying all over the internet and television news.

I say, “Great!” People are out there voicing their opinions, asking questions, discussing. I don’t have numbers, but I would venture to say that it is more than the usual crowd. It’s a great day for democracy when people get involved, talk to their representatives and Congress, write letters, and make their voice heard.

I post my opinion, but I never said my opinion is the right opinion for anyone but me. If you have a differing opinion, post a comment and, if there’s not profanity, threats, abuse, etc., I will approve the comment and it will show on the post. I realize that most people who comment on blogs are the people who are active anyway, but if I can accidentally get 1 person who didn’t care before to care enough to research and comment, maybe they will do more and make their voice heard to our government.

This is still the greatest nation in the world and the only place I want to live. I believe Democracy is the best form of government and it should stand, and we the people should get involved and help it stand. So, could we be seeing a decline in apathy? God, I hope so.