Vote: Why Not?

          Why wouldn't people go to the polls tomorrow to vote for the President of the United States? Voting will come to a close tomorrow, November 6. People are urging others to vote, get out there and contribute their voice. I have been constantly hearing, "I need to make sure that they vote tomorrow," "If Latinos don't go out and vote, Obama may not win." But when I hear these questions and comments I ask myself, why wouldn't people vote? Out of laziness not to go to the polls? Because they live in a state that is already "predetermined" and it simply "wouldn't really matter"? Or, do people think the candidates are just full of lies and they don't know who to vote for? Many people live in countries where they can't voice their opinion or cast a vote. Here we are in a free country, and people take this freedom for granted. In an opinion piece of the New York Times, Errol Morris mocks the excuses people come up with for not voting by interviewing young voters, between the ages of 25 and 40. He points out several reasons why people, especially young people, should vote.  The goal of the documentary is to urge people to vote.

          After watching Errol's piece, I thought, are these really reasons why people are not voting? The excuses used by young Americans who are able to vote, but choose not to, are inexcusable. According to Morris' article, "only 51 percent of young people voted in 2008. A smaller group is expected this year." In his series of interviews of potential young voters, Morris asked why young people don't vote. Responses ranged from "the issues they care about are not discussed by Democrats or Republicans" to "apathy is actually supported by the evidence"-- meaning the gap between what is said and done can be evidently shown in the past "that it's impossible to trust anyone."Stand up, I don't care whether you are left or right, what you believe in counts for something-- it may be for your own sake or for your nation's sake.  This video is a little on the long side, but feel free to check out Errol Morris's Opinionated Documentary above. As for me, I would definitely vote - I wish I could vote.