Why it is so important to vote.
In Germany, at the age of 18/16 we get the right to vote. Nevetherless, many young people don't vote. But it's not a generation's problem. It's a problem of the whole society. But it is so important to vote.
Why do people not vote?
Many people say politicians do what they want anyway and we can't change anything about it. Or they say they don't know who to vote so they rather vote not. But it is so easy to find out a party's program. They are on the internet, they are at so many events presenting themselves. Those who say they don't vote because they don't know what the parties stand for are in my opinion just too lazy.
Furthermore, some people are just simply not interested in politics but yet complain about what's going on.
I think that if you don't vote, then you have no right to complain. The vote is our way of influencing politics.
It is not your fault that the world is the way it is. But it would be your fault if it stayed like that. Because everyone who does not want to change the world signs its death sentence.
- I took this from a song by the German Punk band Die Ärzte:
Es ist nicht deine Schuld, dass die Welt ist, wie sie ist.
Es wär nur deine Schuld wenn sie so bleibt.
Weil jeder, der die Welt nich ändern will, ihr Todesurteil unterschreibt
-Die Ärzte "Deine Schuld"
Now why are a couple of people, a minority, allowed to decide over what's happening in our country?
We live in a representative demogracy. This means, we chose representatives to make decisions. Our world is way too complex, too many people living here, to let the demos, the people, rule (kratos). We would not be able to control our society and politics. Decisions could not be made.
Imagine you want to accomplish a new law and everyone would have to vote. It would be way too complex. And who would have the right to write a suggestions for new laws anyway?
We have representatives to care for that for us. And we elect them. This is one way of getting involved in politics.
And it is so important to vote. Why? Because...
- you can't let politicians do whatever they want. If they suck, we should elect another party or president.
- if you don't vote, rightist extremist parties (such as the German NPD) get a bigger percentage and might get into the parliament. This happened in some parliaments of German states. Every lost vote means a higher percentage to a right extremist party (fascists).
- this is our possibility, no our duty, to influence politics. It is one of the few ways of getting heard by the people who make decisions. And we should use it.
Another way of participating in politics is demonstrations.
We have a voice, and we should use it.
Here another quote from the same song that I think explains it all.
Go out there on the street, go demonstrating again, because those who don't try to fight, can only lose! Those who screw up, those are the ones you have elected. So let them hear your voice, because every voice counts.
Geh mal wieder auf die Straße, geh mal wieder demonstrieren
Denn wer nicht mehr versucht zu kämpfen - kann nur verlieren!
Die dich verarschen, die hast du selbst gewählt
Darum lass sie deine Stimme hörn, weil jede Stimme zählt
Demonstrations can influence and change alot. German history has shown that. In Eastern Germany (German Democratic Republic [abbr.: GDR] ) people demonstrated for their freedom. They demonstrated against the Wall and for demogracy. Now Germany is united again and is a real representative demogracy.
Or think of demonstrations against Nazis. I wrote a blog about that before (May1). German rightist extremist party NDP always gets together to demonstrate. If people in the towns don't organize anti-demonstrations they would be everywhere. With demonstrating against them, by not letting them pass, by raising your voice you can stop them from getting bigger.
Those are just some reasons why I think it is so important to raise your voice, and so dangerous to stay silent. This is why I think it is so important to vote, to use your right and to not leave it unused. Because even with all those representatives, we can still change this world to make it a better place. We just have to want to.
Why do people not vote?
Many people say politicians do what they want anyway and we can't change anything about it. Or they say they don't know who to vote so they rather vote not. But it is so easy to find out a party's program. They are on the internet, they are at so many events presenting themselves. Those who say they don't vote because they don't know what the parties stand for are in my opinion just too lazy.
Furthermore, some people are just simply not interested in politics but yet complain about what's going on.
I think that if you don't vote, then you have no right to complain. The vote is our way of influencing politics.
It is not your fault that the world is the way it is. But it would be your fault if it stayed like that. Because everyone who does not want to change the world signs its death sentence.
- I took this from a song by the German Punk band Die Ärzte:
Es ist nicht deine Schuld, dass die Welt ist, wie sie ist.
Es wär nur deine Schuld wenn sie so bleibt.
Weil jeder, der die Welt nich ändern will, ihr Todesurteil unterschreibt
-Die Ärzte "Deine Schuld"
Now why are a couple of people, a minority, allowed to decide over what's happening in our country?
We live in a representative demogracy. This means, we chose representatives to make decisions. Our world is way too complex, too many people living here, to let the demos, the people, rule (kratos). We would not be able to control our society and politics. Decisions could not be made.
Imagine you want to accomplish a new law and everyone would have to vote. It would be way too complex. And who would have the right to write a suggestions for new laws anyway?
We have representatives to care for that for us. And we elect them. This is one way of getting involved in politics.
And it is so important to vote. Why? Because...
- you can't let politicians do whatever they want. If they suck, we should elect another party or president.
- if you don't vote, rightist extremist parties (such as the German NPD) get a bigger percentage and might get into the parliament. This happened in some parliaments of German states. Every lost vote means a higher percentage to a right extremist party (fascists).
- this is our possibility, no our duty, to influence politics. It is one of the few ways of getting heard by the people who make decisions. And we should use it.
Another way of participating in politics is demonstrations.
We have a voice, and we should use it.
Here another quote from the same song that I think explains it all.
Go out there on the street, go demonstrating again, because those who don't try to fight, can only lose! Those who screw up, those are the ones you have elected. So let them hear your voice, because every voice counts.
Geh mal wieder auf die Straße, geh mal wieder demonstrieren
Denn wer nicht mehr versucht zu kämpfen - kann nur verlieren!
Die dich verarschen, die hast du selbst gewählt
Darum lass sie deine Stimme hörn, weil jede Stimme zählt
Demonstrations can influence and change alot. German history has shown that. In Eastern Germany (German Democratic Republic [abbr.: GDR] ) people demonstrated for their freedom. They demonstrated against the Wall and for demogracy. Now Germany is united again and is a real representative demogracy.
Or think of demonstrations against Nazis. I wrote a blog about that before (May1). German rightist extremist party NDP always gets together to demonstrate. If people in the towns don't organize anti-demonstrations they would be everywhere. With demonstrating against them, by not letting them pass, by raising your voice you can stop them from getting bigger.
Those are just some reasons why I think it is so important to raise your voice, and so dangerous to stay silent. This is why I think it is so important to vote, to use your right and to not leave it unused. Because even with all those representatives, we can still change this world to make it a better place. We just have to want to.
Great blog, awesome quotes (Die Artze pwn) You have made an excellent point there. I think youth today has to vote. We do have better ideas and its up to us to bring something new.
worn-out astronaut., July 1st, 2007 at 08:35:00am
Now that you say that it makes me want to go register to vote. I live in America but still I have no right to complain about President Bush or anybody else in office if I didn't actively take a part in the election process. Good blog. It opened my eyes.
whyamIstillhere?, July 1st, 2007 at 07:59:13am
"I don't know about you, but I'm still voting when I'm old enough. "
this makes me seem as if I said i didnt vote.
i always vote.
Love, July 1st, 2007 at 07:13:13am
In Australia we have to vote. If we don't vote we get fined. Which I think is good, as it makes sure that the majority of people vote.
I have to vote in the major election at the end of this year as I'll be 18 then. Ahh, scary. I enrolled to vote last year. I got sent a letter saying "You're 17 which means that even though you're not able to vote yet, you can still enroll!" And it gave me the forms and everything. So yes. :]
vonny, July 1st, 2007 at 01:41:26am
I don't know about you, but I'm still voting when I'm old enough. Why? Because in some countries, people DIE for their right to vote, and it's not to be wasted that we live in nations with democracy.
Miss Murder, June 30th, 2007 at 09:11:57pm
I agree, if you do not exercise your right to vote then voicing a complaint against the government is somewhat moot. Yes, our government is elected by us to perform duties having a (hopefuly) beneficial effect on the nation especially in fiscal matters.
You mention making new laws and this process being too complex. However, this has in fact happened in our country. Any citizen can bring a petition to parliament regarding laws etc (Citizen Initiated Referendum). Often the cause is taken up by at least one politician or party and debated in the house. Should any law change be required then it is passed to the Crown Law Office who determine the finer details. When this is achieved the matter is put to public vote, in almost all cases occuring at the same time as the general election (every three years here). Others of course do not go to public vote but are read three times in the house with the politicians determining the final outcome. These votes are however conscience votes and are not to be cast based on party views. So a citizen initiated change can be achieved, but this does depend on individual country laws. Excellent blog.
Grandma, June 30th, 2007 at 07:42:38pm
thanx to everyone for voting for me <33
Love, June 30th, 2007 at 07:34:42pm
I am 14 years old. I am not allowed to vote. The only way to get my voice in without getting told I am just a dumb teenager who thinks i know everything is to march right up to the White House and yell to the president "Hey Mr. President, i think what you did about [insertcausenamehere] was good/bad!"
Yea. But still, this was a very well written blog. And i agree with We're Outlaws, Yeah!
TheHobostacheSheriff, June 30th, 2007 at 06:39:24pm
thank you <33
Love, June 30th, 2007 at 04:03:46pm
I hate how people say "i hate the goverment" although they have the right to vote and don't use it. Not voting is sitting back and letting your country rule itself when it's the people who need to choose what happens and voting lets this happen.
Amazing blog, you deserve your award and I wouldn't be surprised if you won again.
We're Outlaws, Yeah!, June 30th, 2007 at 04:00:45pm
I hate the thought of politics.
They confuse me.
captain america, June 30th, 2007 at 03:20:28pm
I hate the people that don't vote and criticize the government. They have the right to vote, if they want to see changes, vote. Other wise, they have no room to talk.
ohmygodshutyourbutt, June 30th, 2007 at 03:18:38pm