Politics Isn't Really My Thing.
“Politics isn’t really my thing.”
I’ve heard this said by those in our generation more times than I can count.
Most recently, I heard it when I was out to lunch with some friends and it wasn’t in response to some political conversation.
A new friend asked me what I did for work, and I said, “I help young professionals and college students get ready to vote.”
The response was a quiet comment, but it simply and succinctly sums up what I believe is the overall feeling in our generation.
“Ah, politics isn’t really my thing.”
I understand. But know this, politics isn’t anybody’s thing.
People don’t vote because they like politics. People vote because they care.
There are some people involved in politics for the “politics” of it, but not many. I truly believe most people that are involved in politics – and by that, I mean vote in every election, do so because they care about issues that affect their lives and the lives of others.
Personally, I don’t vote because I love politics. I vote because I care about my community and our nation.
I care about the impoverished hungry for a better life.
I care about our veterans desperate for better healthcare.
I care about our schools and the generation growing up behind me.
I care about the vulnerable and oppressed, those who cannot speak for themselves
I care about being good stewards of the environment we live in.
I care about justice.
I care about protecting the first amendment.
I care about religious liberty for all people.
I care about advancing principles that are proven to work throughout human history and not repeating mistakes of the past.
Because I care, I commit to PRAY, THINK and VOTE in every election I’m privileged to vote in.
I pray because I believe in a higher power. Scripture says God ordains the rulers of the world. I pray for God’s wisdom as I vote for my leaders.
I think because I’m not going to leave my intellect behind. I’m not going to be swayed by media bias, the partisan threads on my social media, or the latest tweets trending. I’m committed to reading the word of God, knowing what’s happening in our world, our nation and our community; and then I will think to make informed decisions.
And then I’m ready to vote. You and I have the ability to grant political power to those who can either hinder or create an environment that allows us to better love and care for one another.
Despite what you and others in our generation may say about voting, I think you care too.
Our generation wants to make a difference in our communities, through our work, in our neighborhoods, and around the world. Because we care about people.
But somewhere along the way, we have allowed the idea of “politics” to rob us of a truly incredible opportunity to make a difference.
We’ve become apathetic towards politics without realizing that when we do, we are becoming apathetic to the thing we claim to care about most.
Throughout history, in countries across the world, fair and free elections have been extremely rare. Dictatorships, elections riddled with fraud, voter intimidation, voter discrimination based on race, gender, economic standing – are all realities people live with today.
But not us.
In America, each one of us have the freedom and ability to vote. We have the crazy opportunity people throughout the history of the world have died in efforts to obtain.
The nation’s attention is turned to Congress this year – and that’s important. You need to vote for your representatives in Washington D.C. But there are also over 70,000 verified elections taking place across the nation in November.
The elections are far bigger than you can imagine. They will have ramifications felt in your community, your state, and our nation. The decisions made November 6th will be felt for generations to come. Elections make a difference and you have the chance to be part of it.
Apathy isn’t cool. Voting is caring.
Our generation can prove to the country and the world that we do care, not about politics but about issues that affect our lives and the lives of millions of others.
Make sure you are ready to vote. Take two minutes and get registered to vote, request your absentee ballot, or locate your polling place at Because I Care.
And encourage your friends to do the same!
