I'm not voting today. Some would say that makes me a bad American, or that now our country will go down in flames because I didn't voice my opinion. Others would just say that I'm lazy and that's what's wrong with the younger generation today. Lots of people then tell me that I've now lost my right to complain about the country if something bad happens.
At least part of the reason I'm not voting, though, is that I'm actually OK with whatever outcome happens and I don't have any major complaints. Whoever gets into office, I'm fine with that. I don't think any particular politician or political party will run this country into the ground or cause us to become communist China or a nationwide church. It's going to be OK.
Sometimes I feel like some of the people who yell at me to vote actually only want me to vote if I'm voting for their party or candidate. I don't think a lot of people actually think that if everyone voted, they'd be fine with the outcome. If voting were truly all that was needed and everyone was respectful of the opinions of each voter, there wouldn't be outrage immediately following each election.
I feel like we, as a country, have gotten away from respecting the outcome of a vote as representation of the majority view of the people and rather view it as a game where we are angry if we lost. If more voters chose a different option than you, it doesn't mean you have to change your opinion, but you do need to realize that more people thought differently than you did and appreciate the public choice. The beauty of having a multi-party system lies in the fact that we can try new things out based on who gets voted into power, but we need to honor the choice that is decided and be content to roll with it as a country for at least a brief period of time. Instead of revolting against an idea, person, or political party based on what you think might happen, let's try it out so we can decide how it worked out based on facts rather than speculation.
