Call them what you will. Call them bourgeous, call them spoiled, call them anti-American and ultra-liberal and dirty and smelly. Call them every half-baked insult and stereotype in the book.
The French had an 84.6% voter turnout for their Presidential election this weekend.
Nearly Eighty-Five Percent.
On a similar note, the United States played host to a 60.7% turnout for the 2004 Presidential election. That was the highest in nearly 40 years.
We as Americans pride ourselves on being patriotic – on doing the right thing and supporting the ideals that millions have died for over the 200 years we’ve been a nation. Unfortunately, nearly 40% of us don’t even bother to vote for our leaders.
(And you know a good majority of those who don’t vote manage to complain about the leaders that are elected.)
This isn’t a party-line type thing. This is laziness. Apathy. We’re taking it for granted.
Sure, the French seem snotty and rude. But in terms of doing the right thing when it comes to acting on the citizen’s right to vote, they’re more patriotic than we can ever imagine.
So much for Freedom Fries, eh?
Here’s the thing –
I’m all for increased voter turnout, so long as people are making educated votes. Perhaps that’s elitist, but if you’re going to show up and vote a straight red ticket just because that’s what you’ve always done, then don’t bother.
And by “educated,” I don’t pre-suppose any party affiliation. If you’ve done the research and you’re convinced that Fred Phelps would make a great president, then more power to you. You’re wrong, of course, but so long as you’ve examined the issues and are making an educated, measured choice, then you could vote for Cookie Monster if you want and I’d be happy.
Not sure if we would hit 85% turnout, but I bet if our elections were on Sundays like the French, a lot more Americans would vote. If we value democracy so much, our gov’t should make it as easy as possible for its citizens to vote and move election day from Tuesday to the weekend or a holiday.
Deane — you’re completely correct. That’s exactly how I feel about it. Voter turnout needs to be paired with quality education.
Of course, good luck finding an easy to access list of platforms during local elections here in Sioux Falls.