I have to wonder how many more people would vote in an off year election if the government offered to give them a $5 bill when they walked into the polling place? Or how about $10. Maybe even $25.
Do you think it would change the numbers? Well I do.
The reason is that, unfortunately, people are selfish. The enticement of a few bucks would probably raise the voter participation levels a great deal.
Undemocratic?
But if that were done, wouldn’t it be wrong? Wouldn’t that be anti-democratic? Wouldn’t that go against everything the United States stands for? Well not really, because each time you vote you are affecting more dollars than any of those small amounts that could be offered in such a scheme.
Each time we vote we are looking to either hire people who will be spending tax money (which is ours) or for propositions that will increase taxes. This year, in our county we have both of those on the ballot.
Each city councilman that is running is a representative of his or her particular area. He or she will eventually vote to spend or not spend money in one way or another. Some may even want to increase taxes while others don’t. And Proposition One, a measure that is on the ballot during this election cycle, would increase the sales tax rate in the state in order to do more work on Utah transportation systems.
Usually, each year, columns like this push voters to go to the polls for various reasons. Some say it is your responsibility as an American. Some say you are so lucky that you can cast a vote for someone you believe in. Others say that if you don’t vote you can’t complain about what happens.
Well on that last one, whose going to know except you and the poll judge unless you tell someone. Complain all you want.
There are also a lot of self righteous people that want you to vote because it is the right thing to do. It is the proper thing to do. It is for the good of the country.
I say, instead, that you should vote because you should be selfish. You should know and have a say in who is going to spend yours, mine and our money. You should see that people that get into office take the job seriously, and they should be honest about their dealings with you. They shouldn’t utter political talk, but real, down to earth, plain people talk. You know, when they say they are spending five bucks, it is not five dollars and five cents. They need the message that you will be watching for your own selfish reasons.
And while presidential elections, tied in with other national and state elections are part of the big picture in other elections, your councilman or representative at PRWID are grassroots representatives. What they do and the decisions they make affect you a lot; more on a day to day basis than what the big shots in Washington or on Utah’s Capitol Hill do.
On that note, also remember that if you live in the unincorporated county there is still something to vote for even though no commissioner spots are up. PRWID is important and so is Proposition One.
So be selfish on Nov. 3. Go vote and cast a ballot for you. If you don’t, someone else will for themselves.