Whoa you guys - look at your calendars! Mid-October already? I've got some serious thinking to do, as a very important day is coming up. What's that? No, I am NOT talking about Halloween, I'm talking about the upcoming November 2nd Midterm Elections! Have you heard about these? Because, honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. As someone who very well remembers the fervor surrounding the 2008 Presidential race, I'm nothing short of shocked by the relative silence surrounding the upcoming general elections. What to make of all this?
As I've said previously, I generally get all of my information via the internet (with a little bit of TV-watching and magazine-reading in my spare time) and, while I rely on these mediums for news updates and -- almost more importantly -- the related commentary, I also rely on the media (both social and traditional) to remind me when action is necessary. I'm not kidding: If it hadn't been for the collective online groan last tax season, I'd currently be on the wrong side of the law. So where are the people telling me to get out and vote? I see nothing!*
Well, that's not entirely true. I see plenty. The internet is ablaze with political stories, most notably those that aim to entertain. I know all about Carl Paladino's homophobic remarks, Christine O'Donnell's studies in witchcraft and wizardry, and even the shocking Sexy Santa pics of Virginia congressional candidate Krystal Ball. "Scandals" such as these reach my eyeballs each and every day, but what's missing is the imperative towards action. Yes, please point out and detail the perversions of our potential representatives (cough cough Meg Whitman cough cough), but then urge us to do something about it. I know, I know -- we should be able to propel ourselves in these matters, but why risk it and take that chance? All of us -- but young people, especially -- increasingly rely on the imperatives mass media present to us. So, come on, and tell us to vote! In this regard, I really have to hand it to my friends fighting for the legalization of marijuana; not only to they consistently couple their message with a specific measure (cough cough Prop 19 cough cough), but their campaign also targets youth voters. Even if you disagree with their aspirations, you can't argue with their execution.
So, Tweet this, post this, forward to friends and family with this in the subject line: VOTE! No mixed messages, no hidden agendas, just an honest and proper plea to go out and do your civic duty!
In the words of my man, @BarackObama, "I need everybody here to commit to vote. I need you to talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers, aunts, uncles, and tell them -- November 2nd matters."
There, BO -- I did it!
*This is actually not true, since I am blessed with a mother who is both political-minded and exceptionally helpful. This blog post is dedicated to her!
Well said, Bonnie!
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