Educating People so They Will Vote

Voting is not an obligation. It is a civic duty. In a democrat society everyone is responsible for forming of the nation. Citizens of the United States should participate in the forming of laws guiding the country.

Citizens have the right to petition and peaceful assembly. We also vote for representation in public offices; settle laws vetoed three times by the President, and ratify changes to the Constitution with three-quarters of the public vote. We have a lot of power. When that power is not exercised we lose our influence and therefore power.

Everyone should fulfill their civic duty; however, many people are inhibited when voting because they do not understand the intent or ramification behind a given law. They do not want to make a mistake and are less likely to vote. There is a twofold solution to this problem. First clarify the intent and logistic behind a law. Second is educating people on Political Science and the Constitution.

During this past general election politicians took the time to create a website listing the candidates and issues on the ballot. Information concerning each candidate and issue was provided as a part of voting information. This was helpful; however, my questions were not clearly answered. There was time to research the issues and gain a perspective. It helped me vote confidentially.

Another important part of voting is education. The government recently approved a law requiring home buyers are educated in finance before buying a home. Citizens should be educated in politics. This can be achieved by requiring a semester course on Political Science and a semester course on the Constitution in high schools. People turning eighteen, when they are in high school, are expected to vote.

On occasion I watch the news, after watching political speeches, reporters were unable to clearly understand issues. If they do not understand political jargon why should anyone else? They are well educated people and misreported the contents of a speech. Now I look for two sources of information. One can be from the media and then verified with research on the Internet or in books related to the subject.

Working as an election judge, it was surprising how many people asked how the Electoral College works. Even poll workers didn't know how the Electoral College works. A district votes for a party candidate. Representatives are able to cast a vote for the party candidate or change their vote. This is a safeguard to protect people from having a president they may not know has ill intentions, like a traitor. It is explained in the Constitution. Taking Political Science in College and reading the Constitution clarified a lot of information.

The world has changed. Workshops and home economics are old-fashioned. Business math affects more lives than geometry. Students have more job opportunities when taking computer design or multi-media courses, than joining the audio visual club. The standards for functioning as an adult in society has changed and it should be reflected in the curriculum.

Though the country has not changed in regards to voting, Political Science and Constitutional Studies should be required courses in high school curriculum when the nation emerged as a democratic entity, over two centuries ago. Government should be held responsible for educating the public in politics.

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