The "civic duty" to vote

The election has passed, and so has the viral encouragement to go out and vote. Celebrities and high figures throughout society are expected every four years to post via social media, and look into the camera and encourage citizens everywhere that it is their moral obligation to go out and vote. My blog today ties in with a more recent blog where i discussed that we do NOT have rights. As citizens we have choices. Adam and Eve did not have the right to eat the apple but rather they had the freedom of choice. For the same reason we have the same freedom of choice to vote.

Mike Rowe, a previous opera singer and the spokesman/central figure for Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs has become a huge advocate for reintroducing work ethic to the youth and gives a conservative outlook to many political topics. He is the perfect example of a man who went into the entertainment industry and rather than conforming, stands strong in his beliefs and uses his public image for the better. A perfect example of this is when Jeremy Schneider wrote "Hey Mike, I have nothing but respect for you. Your no-nonsense outlook and incredible eloquence have really had a profound impact in my life. Can you please encourage your huge following to go out and vote this election? I would never impose on you by asking you to advocate one politician over another, but I do feel this election could really use your help. I know that there are many people out there who feel like there is nothing they can do. Please try to use your gifts to make them see that they can do something - that their vote counts."

Rather than encouraging his fans to vote on his Facebook status, Mike Rowe writes that he will encourage no one to vote. He states, " Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it. I also share your concern for our country, and agree wholeheartedly that every vote counts. However, I’m afraid I can’t encourage millions of people whom I’ve never met to just run out and cast a ballot, simply because they have the right to vote. That would be like encouraging everyone to buy an AR-15, simply because they have the right to bear arms. I would need to know a few things about them before offering that kind of encouragement. For instance, do they know how to care for a weapon? Can they afford the cost of the weapon? Do they have a history of violence? Are they mentally stable? In short, are they responsible citizens?"

Rowe questioned what i thought was a healthy and good thing in society; the encouragement to vote. However, i must agree with him in the fact that Americans have become so consumed with the idea of voting that they forget to focus on the importance of the results. Those who feel the natural desire to vote i believe should vote, however those who need the pushing of a celebrity to get off the couch and vote for whichever candidate will make them pay less taxes should not be encouraged to vote. 

I remember the six hour class I had to sit in as a 8 year old to receive my hunting license. Why is it that i had to sit in a class to learn the safety of killing animals but anyone can go out and vote without any form of training or education on our government. I think a class should be offered explaining the basics and essence of our country. It should be a free class with a test at the end testing the knowledge of the individual about the foundation of our nation. How many would pass? This class could be offered in high school the same way a drivers ed class is received or at a local community college, or even the same way one becomes CPR certified. 

Yes, many would neglect to take the class and get certified. Yes, we would receive far less ballots each year, but the ballots we received could be trusted to be from a truly educated vote. 

Why is it that the very celebrities who encouraged everyone to vote are now the ones protesting the results? Mike Rowe states, "Regardless of their political agenda, my celebrity pals are fundamentally mistaken about our “civic duty” to vote. There is simply no such thing. Voting is a right, not a duty, and not a moral obligation. Like all rights, the right to vote comes with some responsibilities, but lets face it - the bar is not set very high. If you believe aliens from another planet walk among us, you are welcome at the polls. If you believe the world is flat, and the moon landing was completely staged, you are invited to cast a ballot. Astrologists, racists, ghost-hunters, sexists, and people who rely upon a Magic 8 Ball to determine their daily wardrobe are all allowed to participate. In fact, and to your point, they’re encouraged."

Our nation needs citizens who long to participate in the election. I believe our founding fathers would agree. They did not wish for uneducated Americans to vote. They wanted a nation with educated individuals who read, studied and contributed to society in a healthy way. Many might say that voting is patriotic however Mike Rowe states, "Remember - there’s nothing virtuous or patriotic about voting just for the sake of voting, and the next time someone tells you otherwise, do me a favor - ask them who they’re voting for. Then tell them you’re voting for their opponent. Then, see if they’ll give you a ride to the polls." We need to use this years election as a lesson to learn from and continue to further the education of our people.