Passionate and patriotic ... but mute - I love politics, but count me out at polls

Houston Chronicle ^ | October 24, 2004 | JAGRUTI JOKHAKER

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Iam not a registered voter, although I do meet the qualifications. It is not that I am apathetic about politics and our government; that is not the case at all. In fact, I love politics and everything about it. And you won't find a bigger patriot than me in my entire family, immediate and extended. I enjoy watching the presidential debates, or any political debate for that matter, as well as learning about the different issues candidates talk about. It may seem shocking, but I really have a passion about the political system of not only the United States but of many other countries, as well.

I am not registered to vote because in the entire process, we are only a small element of it. In reality, our votes do not ultimately decide who is elected president. We clearly saw this in the 2000 Al Gore vs. George W. Bush election. Although we saw that Gore did in fact win the popular vote, he did not win the election. This is because electoral votes were declared to be won by Bush. I feel that my vote does not really count because of the Electoral College.

Although I realize that there are many reasons that this institution, if I may call it that, must remain intact, I also feel that it is an unnecessary part of the process. The problem, in my opinion, is many people, like myself, do not register to vote because we, the people, don't really elect the president. I think this contradicts the whole phrase of "government of the people by the people."

My sociology teacher, who is also an unregistered voter, said that the only time he will register to vote is "when the election is determined by one vote, and not the Electoral College." I also feel this way. I believe that our vote — my vote — should count for something. By this, I mean the number of electoral votes that a person has should not matter, but how many individual votes a person has should. I know that there are many problems when it comes to having elections held in this manner, but I truly believe that if elections are held this way, more people will be motivated to vote. They would know that their voice is really being heard.

I would like to add that if I were a registered voter, I would vote for the best policies. Many people simply vote for the cutest or youngest candidate, but I am one who follows the issues. Although I admit that I am very much a liberal, and therefore I make most of my judgments with that in mind, I would choose the best person for the job. If I feel that the liberal candidate, for whatever reason, is not the best person to elect, I would give the other candidate more consideration. Ultimately, I don't believe that choosing a person for whatever reason other than the ones that are truly important is right. A voter must know what or who they are voting for, or against, and have a good reason to defend their decision.

I know that it is my duty as an American to cast my voice in our government. I also know that many people have lost their lives for this right, but I just don't feel that my voice is clearly heard. It is, I agree, taken into consideration during the election process, but in the end, I am, as I feel all voters ultimately are, mute.

Jokhaker, 18, is a UH freshman majoring in English and minoring in political science. She plans a career in law. Her parents emigrated from South Africa in April 1982.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Companion guest column:

Out of fast lane and in to voting - It took a speeding ticket, grounding to be inspired by my father

By NELDA AGUILAR

''Would you like to register to vote while you're here, sweetie?" asked the lady at the front counter, after I practically ripped my new license from her hands. I didn't really give it a second thought, said, "No, thank you," and walked out, ready to embark on a journey through life as a young, legal adult.

Later, after purchasing my first pack of cigarettes just to see if I could and then getting my first speeding ticket, I thought about what the lady asked me — while I was grounded in my room. Why would I want to vote? Well, why not? I mean, I am an American citizen and it is my right to have my voice heard. At least, this is what they hammered into my head in high school, right?

I decided to ask my dad to see what he thought, and just maybe I could get out of being grounded in the process. Well, as my luck would have it, he was pretty upset that I didn't register to vote, which didn't help my grounding issue, but I wanted to understand his disappointment.

As I questioned him about it, he explained his own experience as a young adult in Mexico. My father didn't have the opportunity to vote until he came to the United States and became a citizen. He remembers times when new economic policies were instituted without prior notice, and many times these unfortunate happenings meant less money for people. Decisions that affected the entire country were made by a select few, and thus poverty grew.

Although voting is now being promoted in Mexico, many find it hard to leave behind the familiar ways. My dad's story made me realize that I, as an 18-year-old with not much life experience, have a privilege that many seasoned citizens in other countries don't have.

This is what inspires me to vote. The fact that I can be part of my government is special to me.

As I head out into the "real world," I realize that many economic policies affect me directly. Tax cuts, employment opportunities and the state of our economy are important to my future, and I should be involved in these aspects of government. By voting, I am making my voice heard, and thus improve my life.

How can I pass up an opportunity like this?

I have an opportunity to vote for the leader of our country. This decision will have a huge impact on our lives. Will I choose Bush and his idealistic, yet far-fetched agenda? Or Kerry and his flip-flop campaign? Both presidential candidates have pros and cons.

The important thing is that I have the right to choose.

Another thing that inspires me to vote is the thought of many women before me who fought so that I can have a voice in government today. I will not allow their struggle to be in vain. I will vote, and I will take advantage of the opportunity these women gave to me.

Furthermore, my desire to become a physician in the future makes me involved with the political branch of Social Security, health care and the cost of medical malpractice insurance. With the costs of medical malpractice insurance rising all over the nation and more than doubling in the states of Ohio and Illinois, many doctors are being forced to quit their professions. Many governors and lawmakers are fighting to establish a cap on malpractice compensation, but so far don't have enough support in Congress. This is an extremely important issue that will affect my future in medicine. I must vote to help the doctors today so that I can in turn help myself in the future.

As the presidential elections draw near, I hope that all young adults vote and let the world know that we are an intelligent people. I know, from my own experience, that voting was at the bottom of my to-do list when I turned 18. However, it is a worthy investment of time.

Aguilar, 18, is a freshman biology/pre-med major at the University of Houston.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/outlook/2862505

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***...My sociology teacher, who is also an unregistered voter, said that the only time he will register to vote is "when the election is determined by one vote, and not the
Electoral College." I also feel this way....***

______________________________________________

This young woman needs another point of view.

[Flyer]

In reality, our votes do not ultimately decide who is elected president.

So she doesn't want to vote for Senate, House, State and local offices? Oh well. . .

[Paine in the Neck]

Leave her alone. You don't really want her to vote.

[carolinaoutdoorsman]

I guess that person is so scared of getting called to jury duty, but on the other hand can gripe about the world and not feel compelled to do anything about it!!! Its our most important right in this country!! I guess he/she doesnt care, but these people will bitch, no matter who is President!! Just my rant this morning!! Sorry!!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

She's totally ignorant on the subject.

[zarf]

know that it is my duty as an American to cast my voice in our government. I also know that many people have lost their lives for this right, but I just don't feel that my voice is clearly heard. It is, I agree, taken into consideration during the election process, but in the end, I am, as I feel all voters ultimately are, mute.

This is the usual psudeo-rebellion stuff of people his age.

Kind of a hip "my parents are rich enough to send me to college but I'm still a disenfranchised aloof kind of slacker" niche attitude for those who haven't discovered that life is more complicated than BS posturing and posing.

[Neanderthal]

***...My sociology teacher, who is also an unregistered voter, said that the only time he will register to vote is "when the election is determined by one vote, and not the Electoral College." I also feel this way....***

______________________________________________ This young woman needs another point of view.

Technically, she's right. An individual's vote only changes the outcome when there's a tie. And ties are extremely unlikely in statewide elections. So any particular individuals's independent decision on whether to vote or sit it out really won't change the outcome of the election. Vote or sit it out? Same guy is going to win either way. Mathematicians and economists have proved that all of the voting mechanisms that have ever been devised are irrational, strictly speaking.

This is not a good time to argue the theory of voting because it would be a distraction and it is absolutely essential that W continue as President, given that we are in the middle of WWIII against Islamo-fascism.

[spodefly]

I am glad she is not voting. There enough stupid, uninformed, historically-ignorant people voting already.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Technically, she's right. An individual's vote only changes the outcome when there's a tie."

Not according to "this guy": http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1234409/posts

[Ruth C]

She's totally ignorant on the subject.

I totally agree, as are so many in this country, especially since in many schools any study of the Electoral College is presented from the perspective that it somehow 'takes' away from your vote. This is the continued subtle attack to change the constitution, and when that happens many truly will lose their voice in that choice.

In our modern society, although the historical reasons may have altered for the use of this structure, it is still the best structure to make sure that all 'groups', i.e. rural, suburban, urban, the various philosophical viewpoints, and all states no matter their size, philosophical leanings, social views etc., have an equal voice in the election of the President. IMO

[Sirc_Valence]

"I am not registered to vote because in the entire process, we are only a small element of it."

That is the beauty of the system! Our Republic was not designed as a mobocracy, um, a full Democracy, such as the one in Athens which took out Socrates because he displeased the people with his ideas; such as the pro-slavery south invoked.

The Electoral College is designed as a firewall to protect the states of the United States and their future inhabitants against the threat of lemminglike collectivism and a concentration of power in some states over the whole nation. There are more people in China than in the U.S., but obviously we don't want it to have more say than the U.S. on global issues only because it has a larger population.

"I am not registered to vote because in the ENTIRE PROCESS, we are only a small element of it." Aww, poor little lib (Jagruti Joker). How dare there be any suggestion that there are things greater than himself.

Marriage is between a man and a woman, not a man and a man. Vote for Bush, Kerry doesn't stand for anything except HIMSELF. That's the lib way!

[SterlingSilver]

Louis L'Amour, one of America's most prolific authors of the 20th century, had this to say about people who think like this 18 year old and her Sociology teacher...

"To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain."

[Robespierre]

I agree. I think all who disapprove of Bush's presidency should let their opinion be known by going on a voter strike!

[knarf]

"My sociology teacher, who is also an unregistered voter, said that the only time he will register to vote is "when the election is determined by one vote, and not the Electoral College." I also feel this way. I believe ......."
"Jokhaker, 18, is a UH freshman majoring in English and minoring in political science. She plans a career in law. Her parents emigrated from South Africa in April 1982."

Proof positive that there is no such thing as 'separation between church and state'.

This socialist snot believes because she learned, from a former pastor (go ahead, follow that reasoning for a bit ... it'll amaze you), that she is nothing unique but just another brick in the wall.

Notice she's from S. Africa and plans a law career with a poli/sci minor.

Be very afraid if the Socialists pull off the theft of this election.

No one has said it yet, but if President Bush is not re-elected this November, we will have experienced our very first coo day tah (I only know how to say it, not spell it).

If Oliver Stone is correct in JFK, it might be the second.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) smiles while speaking at a campaign rally in Lakeland, Florida, October 23, 2004. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

[Cincinatus' Wife]

...Notice she's from S. Africa and plans a law career with a poli/sci minor....

Yes that is very telling.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

One excuse is as good as another.

[johnb838]

Really, this is a good example of why MTV et al, with their attempts to "rock the vote" and turn out the youth are doomed to failure. I really don't think children 18-25 can really understand the issues that we face. They shouldn't vote, and really they have more important things to do -- chase the opposite sex, get married, and get their adult lives started. So they don't.

I consider that my right to vote is my weapon in the war to take back the country. I have a certain number of bullets, one for each race in which I vote. Sometimes the result is a foregone conclusion, other times it is not.

Sometimes people say I must vote for one candidate as the lesser of two evils instead of a candidate who espouses true conservative values. I say we have to vote for conservatives over compromises. Tancredo for President.

[lamppost118]

I find your insinuation that 18-25 year old's can't understand the issues that we all face to be insulting. I am 23 and know more about the issues facing us today than the majority of the "old fogies" who got us into these positions in the first place (soc. security, nat. debt, etc.). As to the electoral college, it is a vital institution in the American government. When the founders created this wonderful country they were trying to balance so many factors(big state v. small state, federalism v. anti-federalism, state sovereignty v. national sovereignty, etc.). The electoral college was set up so that a presidential candidate would be forced to reach out to many states instead of concentrating on those with the largest populations (Virginia, New York) to the detriment of the small states. This would have happened with a direct vote. The candidates would spend all their time concerning themselves with urban issues that voters of big cities would care about completely marginalizing the smaller cities, and towns. The current problems with the electoral college stem from the winner take all system of apportioning electoral votes. The same things now happen, candidates concentrate on the states with the most electoral votes. The more representative apportioning of electoral votes would be to apportion them to the winner of each district, with the two extras going to the winner of the popular vote in the state. This would force the candidates to reach out to voters in a much larger political arena. Now is where my cynicism comes in. This would never work because the states like having the power that a winner take all apportioning provides them. California would never willingly give up the power of having 55 votes to cast behind one candidate. The only way to get them to give up that power and prestige would be through a constitutional amendment (not likely)

Gerrymandering would also become a much greater problem. But the added political wrangling would be, in my estimation, a price worth paying to bring the concerns of a much larger portion of citizens into the political arena.