« Growing pains | Home | IM and chat rooms pose risks to kids »
Super Tuesday offers lessons in democracy
By Christina Quick | February 6, 2008
Like many others across the nation, my family was glued to the television during last night’s coverage of the delegate race. As the results from various primary elections and caucuses came in, no one was more interested than my 10-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter.
Each news update was met with cries of, “Yes!” or “Boooo!” You would have thought it was the Super Bowl instead of Super Tuesday. There was a volley of protests when I finally announced it was time for bed.
“Can’t we stay up and watch a little while longer?” they pleaded. “We want to see who wins our state!”
Earlier in the evening, my husband and I took them to the local polling station and let them watch as we cast our ballots. They were fascinated by the process and couldn’t wait to see what would happen when the votes were tallied.
I was amazed at their enthusiasm. When I was a kid, I thought politics was stale and excruciatingly boring. Nonetheless, I’m glad to see they are already engaged in the electoral process. I hope they maintain their interest as they grow up in a world that’s often cynical, apathetic and even hostile toward democracy.
In a New York University survey last November, students said they would be willing to give up the right to vote for a price. Twenty percent said they’d forgo voting for an iPod Touch. Two-thirds said they’d exchange their vote for a year’s tuition. More than half said they would cease voting forever for $1 million.
In spite of students’ willingness to give up their rights, 90 percent said voting was “very important” and more than 70 percent said they believe one vote can make a difference.
It’s disheartening to think the freedoms for which so many brave men and women have paid the ultimate price would be bartered so cheaply.
My U.S. Government professor in college was an immigrant who fled communism. On the eve of a presidential election, he stood before our class and delivered an impassioned speech about our responsibility to vote.
“Don’t let anyone tell you your vote doesn’t count,” he said. “Democracy only works when you participate.”
That’s one lesson I hope to pass on to my children.
Topics: In the news |
February 7th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I, too, am stymied by the number of Americans who apathetically waive their right to vote. Kudos to you and your husband for instilling in your children the importance of voting, and the great privilege it is!
February 7th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Keep up the good work! It’s heartening to see many young voters enthused about this year’s primaries.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Good for you! My kids are very interested in this election too. But they should be. They know first hand the price of freedom as they count the days until their daddy gets to come home from the war for a few weeks of R&R. Keep up the good work. God bless you.