2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the Editor
H. Blake Hooper
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Opinion
Dear Editor,
Molly Saunders is right: not enough people vote, and it is disheartening. But I don't think she quite understands the idea of our Democracy. The right to vote is amazing, and we are lucky to have it; I agree. But at the same time, I believe it is short-sighted to say we are throwing that right to vote away by not voting.
The idea of "the right to vote" should also mean "the right not to vote." Just because one does not choose to vote at every election, does not mean that he or she is not still participating in our democracy. That's why when a vote is called all those abstaining is still asked.
It is wrong to assume there is only one reason not to vote. Many people don't vote because the candidates are all poor representatives of us, the citizens. To be quite frank, our two party system is very limiting, so we should not be surprised that there are people choosing to abstain from voting.
Voting is not an obligation. The word "obligation" insinuates we are required to do it. But we aren't. If we really value freedom, we should realize that we are just as free not to vote, as we are to vote.
Sincerely,
H. Blake Hooper
Molly Saunders is right: not enough people vote, and it is disheartening. But I don't think she quite understands the idea of our Democracy. The right to vote is amazing, and we are lucky to have it; I agree. But at the same time, I believe it is short-sighted to say we are throwing that right to vote away by not voting.
The idea of "the right to vote" should also mean "the right not to vote." Just because one does not choose to vote at every election, does not mean that he or she is not still participating in our democracy. That's why when a vote is called all those abstaining is still asked.
It is wrong to assume there is only one reason not to vote. Many people don't vote because the candidates are all poor representatives of us, the citizens. To be quite frank, our two party system is very limiting, so we should not be surprised that there are people choosing to abstain from voting.
Voting is not an obligation. The word "obligation" insinuates we are required to do it. But we aren't. If we really value freedom, we should realize that we are just as free not to vote, as we are to vote.
Sincerely,
H. Blake Hooper
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