Politics are a touchy subject that nobody likes to hear be brought up. How many times have you or somebody near you brought up a political subject, only for everybody in the area to go into *deaf mode* or refuse to stay around? "We don't need to get political..."

It's true. Politics can be controversial. In fact, the very nature of politics makes it quite controversial. Why do people avoid politics like the plague?

Well controversy means there will be dissagreements, which means that the boat will be rocked. And, as everybody knows, people like to avoid rocking boats, and they certainly want to avoid confrontation of any sort. This leads people to believe that any kind of subject that may cause disagreement between people is taboo and should be avoided at all costs.

How people have dealt with this taboo issue:

1. People develop no political opinions, so as not to become subject to the demons that surround said opinions.

2. People may have a slight opinion, but generally do not base it in fact, and quickly reject any sort of policital discussion.

3. People blindly support the side of political issues that most of the people in their surrounding environment supports. Often times, this will come with a bumper sticker of sorts. This will often times help them to avoid any discussion at all- since they're clearly on the same side as everyone else, no need to bring it up... right?

4. People may develop strong political opinions, but not base them in any sort of fact. This allows them to completely ignore any and all discussion, as their opinion is already believed to be completely right, so why listen to anybody else?

We all know people like this. Heck, some of us here may be like this. I mean, how many people here probably stopped reading when they realized this is about politics? Most of you, I'm sure. Heck, most of you didn't even start reading this based on the title! Here's your problem:

You're serving as not only a puny spec in the grand scheme of things, but a spec that has no significance in our future's history. Imagine, if you will a leaf that blows around in the wind. Certainly not somebody who makes a difference. No, instead the wind controls you. [Queue the most depressing song in history: Dust in the wind.]

In the history books, it's very unlikely many people who helped make the major changes will ever be named. That's because some of the biggest changes in history were not actually caused by one or two people at a time. Big changes were made by one or two people who were backed by a mass of people. A bunch of free-thinking people who came to the same conclusions chose a leader, and changes were made.

Imagine if George Washington had no supporters! Imagine if Ghandi himself was alone in his convictions! These are important people of history, who without a base of support wouldn't have made a darned difference in the world!

To those of you who believe there's no point in partaking in the political process, and that your opinion doesn't matter, I have one thing to say:

STOP BITCHING ABOUT THINGS AND DEAL WITH HOW CRAPPY EVERYTHING IS THEN!

Who complains about gas prices? How many of those voted? Who complains that this or that is unfair? How many of those voted?

It is your responsibility as a US citizen to understand the issues and vote. These issues do not passively not affect you. On the contrary- you are bound to live by the decisions made on these issues. How could you possibly not care about the group that governs and controls your very person today? This apathy is born, I assure you, out of a numbness that comes from complacency, which spirs directly from distraction and entertainment.

This Christmas/Hanukkah/Whatever, instead of sitting down and enjoying your new 300 inch widescreen HD TV, have a conversation with your family instead about politics. Nobody's going to agree, and debate will most likely ensue. But this is good. Bringing the topics to light is what's important. Having an opinion on them and acting upon these opinions makes the difference, and allows me to say I'm proud to be of the same nation, where free thinking is not yet outlawed, and discussion about our policies and rulemakers is commonplace.

And seriously, grow some balls.

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mynameisjonas @ 12/05/07 "im white what does this have to do with me?" the_legacy @ 12/09/07 "Too many people complain about our government but they don’t take any action. STOP COMPLAING IF YOU ARENT GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION! I will personally bitch slap you. God people! Find your brains and start using them. Why are American people so fucking DUMB? I am ashamed to be associated with these individuals. " Applegoogle @ 12/09/07 "I personally cannot pay attention long enough to find out where candidates stand. This is partially due to the fact that all the republicans seem to agree to varying degrees on one thing and the democrats having equally varying degrees of agreement for the other side of the issue. Plus the response to every question is vague and/or long winded and I can't stand that. I don't mind reading it, just not listening to it, since I can re-read what is confusing, unlike listening. I've also have been watching a lot of shows mock the irrelevant questions that are being interjected in the debates. They're supposed to be light-hearted, but I don't care about that when time that could be spent learning how Hilary Clinton intends to fix the education problems is being wasted on questions about her sense of style or the whole angle on potentially being the first female president." cherrybomb @ 12/09/07 "the new hampshire primary is on my birthday! if you want to give me a sweet present then vote! preferably who im voting for but mostly who you want to be president. also i would like to say that i understand not voting if there is seriously no on you want to be president, but thats the only exception as far as im concerned!" Riev_Mordred @ 12/10/07 "I don't vote in NH. Suck it." cherrybomb @ 12/10/07 "sorry, everyone who is in new hampshire vote! its the right thing to do and its an easy birthday present for me since you should be doing it anyway!" Riev_Mordred @ 12/11/07 "I'd like to see who is going to actually be on the ballots, personally. I would -love- to vote for McCain, but I think he's almost the new Nader." Login to comment...

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