DIFFICULTY: Easy
Today I went to a town meeting for the first time for my U.S. history class. It wasn't exactly an interesting meeting. It certainly wasn't like the really intense and passionate town meetings that had been on the news in the last year. However, there is something to be said about our political process in America. As someone who can't vote, I had to sit in a section that wasn't allowed to speak, but everyone else was allowed to. They could ask questions, make comments, express their approval or disapproval, argue for certain issues over others and our town government had to listen. From the outside, especially as a student, town meeting doesn't seem that important. However, I've come to realize that a lot of the things they're voting for are really important. Like where funding goes, how much we're being taxed, what things are going to be fixed, how much the town is going to spend, etc. These are things that affect my life directly and daily, and I only had one question...
Today I went to a town meeting for the first time for my U.S. history class. It wasn't exactly an interesting meeting. It certainly wasn't like the really intense and passionate town meetings that had been on the news in the last year. However, there is something to be said about our political process in America. As someone who can't vote, I had to sit in a section that wasn't allowed to speak, but everyone else was allowed to. They could ask questions, make comments, express their approval or disapproval, argue for certain issues over others and our town government had to listen. From the outside, especially as a student, town meeting doesn't seem that important. However, I've come to realize that a lot of the things they're voting for are really important. Like where funding goes, how much we're being taxed, what things are going to be fixed, how much the town is going to spend, etc. These are things that affect my life directly and daily, and I only had one question...
Where are the voters?
The audience represented a very small part of my town, and I found that most of them were residents above 65. True, it's a Monday night, but we seem to complain about taxes, and spending, and roads without actually even hearing about the issues and what our town is going through. So, today's challenge is VOTE.
Vote because it's your right. Vote because it's the only way our government will hear and care about issues that are important to you! If there is anything I've learned from my U.S. History class, it's that the only thing that can truly destroy a democracy is voter apathy.
If you can't vote yet, try going to meetings. Learn about your government, and learn to care about the issues. If you don't, who will?
If you can't vote yet, try going to meetings. Learn about your government, and learn to care about the issues. If you don't, who will?