Editor,
Is there any logic to Kyle Farris’ article on voting?
He is unhappy with the way things are; he wants to change it. Doing nothing is a great way to create change, right? Yes, that totally makes perfect nonsense.
If you want change then act!
Voting is actually a great way to start action. It’s a system that is already widely accepted in our country, is easy to use and can produce results.
Perhaps Farris doesn’t like the system? That’s understandable. One has only to look at the 2004 election where the Electoral College and the popular vote didn’t go to the same person to see flaws in the system. Does this give me the perfect excuse not to take part in voting?
No, change the system. You could become a supporter of the National Popular Vote Plan (FairVote.org/what-is-the-national-popular-vote-plan). Get your local government to adhere to it, and then support action to get other states to adhere to it.
There are many ways to act.
Vote, write articles, demonstrate and, yes, talk politics. People need to take advantage of the avenues that are available to them. Why limit yourself to one? One that I wish more people would take advantage of is talking politics. No one gains from the fact that talking about politics has become taboo in our society.
This promotes ignorance by stopping the exchange of ideas. People on both sides of an issue get stuck on the extremes of an issue and are not able to see other perspectives. It divides the nation, or worse, no one knows what’s going on.
Look at the major changes that have happened in our history: civil rights movement, women’s suffrage, etc. None of them resulted from abstaining from action.
Don’t become someone easy to ignore and then say that you do it in the name of your convictions. Think about what you want changed and then have your voice heard.
Mariah Lauritzen
UNM student
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