Challenger

People eligible to vote should take it upon themselves to become a registered voter because every eighteen-year-old has the power to vote a candidate in or out of office. It is important for voters to have knowlege of history such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, or the current events that will help voters understand what to look for in a particular candidate’s plan or recommendation.

Here are a few reasons why people choose not to vote. First is political withdraw. Fewer citizens feel involved enough in their community to even think of becoming interested in voting. They turn away and remove themselves from participating in voting.
There are many factors that influence how people vote, such as Religion, for instance. In this year’s election some Christians only voted for Bush because he claims to be a Christian, saying he regularly seeks guidance from God and repels movements to remove religion from public life.

Other voters may vote for a candidate whose standards on education they favor the most. Ever since Bush took office, federal spending on education has jumped nearly fifty percent; therefore people may distinguish that Bush’s plan is better and their mind is made up; their voting for Bush.

Some people look at voting as, “What’s in it for me?” A military person may base their vote on who will give them the biggest military pay. As for homosexuals, they may just vote for the candidate who bans job discrimination against homosexuals. Small business owners may only want a candidate who’s friendly to small business. It is totally understandable to look out for one’s own interests, but voters need to keep in mind that there are several more bigger issues that may need to be focosed on more intensively.
Understanding just a pinch of the United States Constitution would be necessary for voters to know. Such as something simple, knowing that the President of the United States must be a natural born citizen, must be thirty-five years old. (According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution.) This won’t earn anyone a Yale degree; it just helps people determine if the candidate’s proposals are in line with the Consitution when times comes to vote.

I enjoyed reading what John Hancock wrote about the Declaration of Independence because it helped me understand what the president or congress must follow. Hancock begins, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...” This should help voters understand what to look out for from our own government.

The, “We’ve-Always-Voted-This-Way Voters”, vote just like their parents or grandparents. It’s specifically stupidity to say that; “My mom and dad are democrat’s, so that’s what I will be.” My advice is find out which one you are. Know how each party feels on certain issues. Such as, knowing that Democrats think that abortion is women’s right and should be legal. Republicans feel that abortion should be illegal and restricted by government. Democrats favor gun Control, saying it is needed. Republicans oppose gun control, saying it is unconstitutional.

I hope people do not decide to become an undecided voter, being someone who hasn’t made up his or her mind on who to vote for, or carry the title as an unclear, vague voter. For example, suppose you voted by absentee ballot and you don’t know how to fill it out, so you let your friend take that responsibility. All that is left for you do to is sign it. Also knowing that your friend was a registered Democrat, and you’re a Republican. You just changed to please her; a definite mistake. How would you be able to back up data or evidence, telling why you chose your candidate? There would be no way of going back and making sure you chose the right candidate once it’s submitted.

So step up, decide on your own whom you want to be president. Take charge and show the world that you care by voting who you think will be best suited as the official President of the United States of America.