According to Global Issues, the term democracy stems from the Greek meaning “rule by the people.” Over the years, democracy has come to mean many different things for many different people.
But, above all, democracy means we have a government ruled by the people, for the people.
It means we have the ability to incite change within our towns, cities, states, country and world. It means we have the freedom to practice any religion we want, speak our minds and write our opinions.
We have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — and that is something to be proud of.
We often take these freedoms for granted. Some people in other countries have never known what reading an uncensored newspaper looks like. Some people have never been able to choose their leader. And it’s today that we remember to never take our democracy for granted. It’s today that we remember why our voice still matters — and will always matter.
You may say you are just another vote. It’s not unlikely you’ve heard that one vote doesn’t matter among the millions. But, it does.
We have the ability to choose who we want to lead our local, state and national government. In an ever-changing society — with innovative technology being invented, new discoveries being made and globalization becoming more of a factor in everyday life — our voice matters. Our ballots matter. And it is your civic duty to ensure your voice is heard today.
It’s your duty as a citizen of the United State to ensure you are informed on the potential leaders who will affect your life very heavily in the next few years.
How could you — in good conscience — not inform yourself?
How could you — in good conscience — not vote today? We are facing student loans, job scarcity and an economic crisis.
These political races need our participation.According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, for example, Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney 48 percent to 47 percent, which is only a difference of seven voters in the 1,475 surveyed. We hail from a university with over 40,000 students.
Our votes could potentially sway this election, as Pennsylvania remains a swing state.
The word “politics” often has a stigma attached.
People feel as though they don’t want to get involved in the pageantry of politicians and caught up in the mudslinging. Though this has unfortunately become a factor, this does not define politics.
Politics is, in a sense, your life. Politics is whether or not you can afford college.
Politics is paying a toll on your drive back to Happy Valley.
Politics is getting a job, losing your job and finding a job. It’s your family, your house and your city. Politics literally affects every aspect of your life. And today, we can define how we want it affected.
