Dear Ross,
Before reading your blog, I too had heard of a percentage of American’s not participating in general and Presidential elections. I had thought it odd, but thought it was a small minority. I was downright shocked to read that it was 59%, but am also curious as to where this statistic is from. I would’ve never imagined that it was over half of the American population, and I agree that it does speak volumes about how we as a country are operating, in relation to the government. I’ve heard recently about rock-bottom Congressional approval ratings, but these are all recent – rating that didn’t exist in 2010.
What effect will these lower rates have in 2012? Will it lead to more voter turnout, to try and initiate change, or less, from such dissastisfaction? What impact will that have on the way our country is run? From the news I’ve been hearing recently, and from your blog, I feel more and more like America is entering a vicious cycle: people aren’t voting, so exactly who they don’t want are being elected, they still won’t vote because of the already poor state of the government, leading to more degradation and no change. I agree that it’s probably the government’s fault for inaction, but I don’t believe that by not voting there will be change.
I like the Occupy movement, because it is action being taken to fight right now. It is citizens using their American rights, which I believe should be used to full power, as was intended by the founding fathers and following lawmakers. I think it would be a better option for these nonvoters to vote, even if it’s for a write-in candidate. It would show that there are people who care, but just don’t think those on the ballot are up for the job. It’d be a clear demonstration and a way disprove the stereotype that you originally had, that these people are apathetic.
Ross, do you, after your change of mind, have any ideas how to get these silent ballots to speak? I think that’s the central problem that the country needs to solve, in order to get back on track.
Much love and sleep,
Charlie
A second reply to Katy's post " Inconvenient Truth: Career Choice." Katy writes about how limited we are by external factors concerning what jobs we'll have in the future, and how we can't really be anything we want like our parents told us.
Dear Katy,
I can relate to absurd childhood job ideas. So far, I’ve gone through astronaut, pop singer, and Broadway actress phases: and I’m currently dreaming a political reporter dream. This might still be crazy, but I don’t think it’s totally unrealistic in a world of constant online articles about everything going on in Washington. After reading your article, it got me thinking about what kind of factors I need to consider before committing to a school or a program, based only off personal interest.
I’ve been thinking about Columbia or Georgetown for college, because they both have strong writing and political science programs, both are also very expensive. They are also both really fantastic, and therefore selective, schools. I don’t think I could say with certainty at this moment in my high school career, that I would get into either of them. I’ve never even been published in the school newspaper, yet along a prestigious newspaper or magazine. It’s all a little far-fetched, but somehow I can’t seem to give up this one idea.
Katy, you say that most people find a career somehow, and can balance out unpleasant jobs with other activities on the side, but I wonder if these people are truly satisfied by this? What would the world look like if we all had our dream jobs? Would it be the same, better, or worse? Or would it have melded to our interest, adapted to what we enjoy?
This blog is also a perspective from a teenager – should such young thinkers be limited to these restrictive ideas so early? I find it quite sad to learn that accepted truths turn out to be false – Santa Claus for one. Can we afford to keep those going off to college naïve and hopeful, or should everyone have this realization, and try to life realistically?
I wonder how many seniors know what they want to do with their lives. My guess would be very few, This uncertainty, while scary, leaves me with a hope that even if it’s improbably and impractical, the undecided will be the once to live their dreams.
Happy doctor-ing!
Charlie
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