The United States: A Nation of Choice.

The main concept of democracy is to distribute power to everyday people. We all learn this at a young age, when we learn the basic functions of government. As I’ve gotten older and followed politics for myself, I’ve found that America is, indeed, a true, living, breathing example of a functioning democratic society.

Funnily enough, I feel like I am in the minority with that “unpopular opinion.” People complain about the way our voting system (the foundation of our democracy) works. It’s as if they see something wrong with the way state delegates get to choose who the official nominees of every presidential election are. Perhaps because they feel that there is not enough diversity between our candidates, or maybe they feel there’s an unfair distribution of wealth.

Regardless, I don’t see why people complain so much. We still have the power to choose who becomes the president! People keep complaining about how these state delegates aren’t necessarily tied to the preferences of the states they represent and therefore don’t represent the people’s opinions. But state delegates are American citizens, and the fact that they have the power to elect official nominees for each election is a fact that everyone should celebrate. I can see the true spirit of democracy in this system. In this country, the choice is definitely in the peoples’ hands.

I’ll admit, there does seem to be something slightly unfair about how not every state gets a say in which nominee they prefer. Since the state primaries and caucases operate on a first-come first-serve basis, some of the states in the back of line (like California and New Jersey) are swept up in the bandwagon craze over specific candidates. But if you think about it, no system is perfect, and I am sure that the states with primaries in the beginning of the election season represent the majority American sentiment.

And fine, I suppose that there is a lack of socio-economic and racial diversity among the presidential candidates, and how this may possibly effect how citizens of these minorities and their votes. Take for example the $10 million donation from casino mogul Sheldon Adelson to Romney’s campaign, simply because he is in support of Romney and his ideals. Someone of a lower socio-economic status may not be able to donate as much. However, this does not silence their voice. It works on a level of meritocracy, where those who have more may be at an advatage. But the biggest disadvantage the avergae citizen has comes from themselves, when they choose to silence themselves and give up.

My fellow American citizens. Vote. Even if you feel as though your vote may not really be counted, or that any specific candidate really represents your beliefs, you should still vote. Vote for something; anything. Too many Americans complain that their voices are not heard. But how can they be when they refuse to speak up to the ears that they want to listen to? If for no other reason, we as Americans, should vote simply because we are a proud citizens of this “democratic” nation.

If we really strive to be the “epitome of democracy,” we need to put our voices to work. A democracy is dependent on the power of the people. If we refuse to vote and take the power that is literally put into our hands, then we are also refusing the notion of a true democracy. Our votes matter in that it upholds this glorious illusion of democracy in the United States. Because if we all sit silent, or opinions will go unheard, we will only regress to a sort of autocracy where we don’t even have the choice in the matter. Use your freedom wisely. Fight the power, stick it to the man, and vote.