by Joe Buffaloe
Daily Lobo columnist
It seems like we have no control over our world sometimes.
It's crazy out there right now. Over the summer, there was a war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, an attempt by terrorists to blow up planes on their way from London to the United States, escalating violence in Iraq and calls for attacks on North Korea and Iran. Our troops are still scattered around the world. Social Security is still in jeopardy, and because of global warming, the polar ice caps are set to melt any day now.
Our country has a new set of immigration laws. There's still no money for education. A measure to raise the national minimum wage failed. Gas prices went up. Health care prices went up. Tuition went up.
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It's enough to make you feel a little insignificant - like it's impossible to make your voice heard and bring change to the world.
But because we live in the United States, we do have power. That's right - I'm talking about voting.
The most important thing you do this year might be voting. It's your right as a citizen of the United States to tell the government what to do, and who gets to do it. Everyone, at one time or another, has complained about the government. Lots of people do it every day. But no matter how many hours you spend protesting, arguing or discussing, it won't equal the power of one vote.
Despite the vast number of citizens between 18 and 30 years old, prescription-drug coverage for the elderly remains a bigger issue than ensuring affordable student loans. We all know why - our age group barely votes. I don't expect this to change in my lifetime, but that does not give individuals an excuse to stay at home on voting day. Voting isn't exactly a hip trend right now. Why spend half an hour at some elementary school waiting in line for a voting booth when you could be playing Grand Theft Auto or beer pong? It's not like most people really support one candidate or another anyway. In many local elections, voter knowledge doesn't extend past yard signs.
But these things matter. Congress, both state and federal, are split nearly down the middle, so one member makes a big difference. And who honestly thinks the country would be the same if John Kerry had been elected president in the last election? Maybe there would be federal support for stem-cell research already. Maybe someday you'll develop Alzheimer's and wish you'd voted in 2004.
Some argue that all the candidates are owned by corporations and special interests - everyone is the same, so there's no use in voting. If this is your opinion, then I urge you to vote for candidates supporting campaign finance reform. If you still don't like any of the major candidates, find a third party that you can support. If that fails, then run yourself. There's no excuse for failure to participate in the democratic process - if you want something to change, refusing to vote will not help.
Some people don't vote simply because they forget on the day of the election. If you think you are one of these people, then mark your calendar. Stick notes to your forehead. Write a message on your palm next to the answers to your history test. Tie a reminder to your bong. Whatever it takes, don't forget to vote.
Of course, you have to know about the election before you can forget it. For those of you who don't know, the next election in Albuquerque will take place Nov. 7. There is a race for a U.S. Senate seat between incumbent Jeff Bingaman and Republican challenger Allen McCulloch. Another race is between Heather Wilson and Patricia Madrid for a seat in the House of Representatives. John Dendahl is running against Bill Richardson to be the next governor. There are also races for secretary of state and attorney general, as well as numerous local positions.
The decisions these people make may affect the rest of our lives. Between now and Nov. 7, research the candidates online or in newspapers, then vote for your favorite. The world may be crazy, but with your vote, you have the power to control it.
