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Welcome to Say It With Roz, where you can find an honest opinion about current events and life in general as seen through the eyes of an American Black woman.






Why It Is Important To Vote

When citizens to not vote, several consequences can occur:

1. Reduced Representation:  Low voter turnout can lead to elected officials who do not accurately reflect the demographics and opinions of the community, resulting in policies that may not address the needs of the population.

2. Weakened Democracy:  Voting is a fundamental part of democratic engagement.  When citizens abstain from voting, it undermines the democratic process and can lead to a lack of accountability among elected officials.

3. Influence of Special Interests:  A smaller voter base can make it easier for special interest groups and lobbyists to exert disproportionate influence on policy making, as they may mobilize their resources to sway outcomes.

4. Voter Apathy:  When people do not participate in elections, it can create a cycle of apathy and disengagement, where individuals feel their votes do not matter, further diminishing future participation.

5. Marginalization of Issues:  Important social, economic, and environmental issues may be overlooked if those who are affected by them fail to vote, leading to policies that do not prioritize these concerns.

6. Impact on Local Elections:  Local elections often have lower turnout rates than national elections, meaning that a small number of votes can determine outcomes, leading to decisions that may not represent the broader community’s interests.

7. Potential for Extremism:  Low voter turnout can sometimes result in election of candidates with more extreme views, as they may mobilize their base more effectively than moderate candidates who appeal to a broader audience.

8. Erosion of Trust:  When citizens feel that their participation does not influence governance, it can lead to a decline in trust in the political system and institutions.

Engaging citizens in the voting process is vital for a healthy democracy, as it ensures that diverse voices are heard and represented in decision-making.



Why I Don't Need To Be Inspired To Vote.


It is odd to me that some people need to be inspired to cast a vote in national, state, and local elections. The fact that we have a say-so in who and how our country is run should be inspiration enough, in my opinion. I have never needed a politician to pump me up in order for me to go cast a vote. The fact that we can decide if we are going out to the polls or not based on how well a politician has tickled our ears is absurd to me. No matter how boring, uninspiring or unlikeable any or all of the candidates are, one of those flawed persons will indeed become the elected official even if you don't vote at all. 

 

I will never adopt the attitude of it doesn't matter which one gets elected. It would be to our advantage to do a little research on each candidate and to determine which is the lesser of the two evils, sort of speaking. If one candidate is just one iota worse than the other candidate, it could mean a world of adverse difference to a lot of Americans. None of us need to be lax when it comes to voting in every election available to us. With all of the hype about the upcoming 2020 elections, we should all have some idea of what's at stake for the American people. Although I am a Democrat, I believe that whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you should cast a vote during the 2020 election process. 

 

Voting is the most power that we can have when it comes to controlling our country, state, city and neighborhood life. When I hear non-voters whining about the system or the man, the only advice I have for them is to shut their mouths. It is our duty as citizens to understand the importance of voting and to know something about the people who are seeking to be elected. It is especially important for us as Black Americans to take seriously the election process and to participate fully. I say this because Black Americans have complaints about several issues, and I believe that it would make sense to take advantage of whatever tools we have in order to bring about a change for the better. I believe voting is the most important tool available to us at this time. 

 

What some of us may not realize is that the Voting Rights Act is a law that can be changed or even done away with. Certain states have continuously tried to suppress votes by changing or attempting to change the voting rights law. With the right people in place and the right conditions existing, some of us could lose our right to vote altogether, including all women.

 

The results of the 2016 presidential election should be enough proof, even for the most dense of citizens, to realize that your vote counts!  Saying that your vote does not matter is the weakest of excuses for not casting a ballot. Think about it, not voting is a vote for the opponent. I suppose it will not matter to the non-voters if we no longer have the right to vote, or we are prohibited from patronizing certain places of business, or can only live in certain areas of town, or must be quiet and let only men talk. Voting can help prevent corrupt people from ever becoming elected officials. Regardless of what some might say, there are still those who do not want some of us to have a voice in this country. Your vote is your most powerful weapon. Why do you think some work so hard to suppress the vote of certain populations? The vote is power. But just as some are diligent in tearing down voting and other rights, we must be diligent in making sure our basic rights are preserved in this country.

 

We should not base our decision to show up at the polls on whether a politician can inspire us or not. The most boring candidate of all just might be the best man or woman for the job. All the more reason to do some research and find out what kind of people are the candidates. What good have they done for the people in the past?  Are they honorable and trustworthy? What do they plan to do in the future? Those are the kinds of questions you should be seeking answers to, not how cute and entertaining a person is. You might also want to ask yourself  a thing or two. Are you a citizen or not? Do you love this country or not? Do you love the state, city and community that you live in or not? If you can say yes to those  questions, why in the world would you ever need to be inspired to have a say-so in what goes on in your country? I do not need to be pumped up or inspired to go to the voting booth. I am a concerned citizen who always votes in national, state and local elections. Not voting is not on my agenda, ever. Even if the politicians are sleeping, we as citizens should always have our eyes wide open.

 

Nothing, and I do mean nothing, should stop you from casting your vote in 2020. The two most important things for you to do in 2020 is to know as much as possible about the people running for election, and to cast your vote on election day. You should actually make this a rule for every election that is available to you. Don't just vote in presidential elections because most of the time, your state and local elections affect your day-to-day life more than the national elections. And don't just go by hearsay when it comes to knowing who is running for office.  Do your own research. All candidates have websites that you can visit, and most likely you can find all kinds of information about a politician by just doing a Google search. Be serious about your vote.

 

Again, putting the right politicians in office can help to eliminate situations such as voter suppression, police brutality, civil rights erosion, denial of women's right to choose, and such. We should also develop the mindset of casting our vote regardless of what obstacles are placed before us.  Plan ahead of time. Know the rules and make sure you have the necessary identification regardless of what it is. Confirm the location of your voting poll in advance, and check it again on voting day morning because sometimes they can move at the last minute. Just be determined to not be stripped of your right to vote.  Whether you are inspired or not, vote!

 

There was a time when only White male landowners could vote. Think about that.

 

 

 

--Rosalin Moss

Say It With Roz

September 8, 2019