On Sun, 1 Feb 2004 1:41:40 -0500, Dr. Sooz wrote (in message ):
I'd like to add that for those of us with children, please take your child to the polls with you. If your town participates in "Kids Vote," so much the better, but even if there isn't a special program, it's really important to let your children in on the political process.
In many town, the voters are overwhelmingly elderly. There are a couple of problems with this - as the older folks die off, or become too ill to vote, the percentage of citizens whose opinion is considered becomes even smaller. When the voting public doesn't represent the total population, the laws passed tend to be unfair to those who are not voters. Politicians become overly preoccupied with pleasing the elderly (because they vote), at the expense of everyone else.
It's vital that we get our children involved in the political process. People who know their legal rights and responsibilities are more likely to defend their rights and take their responsibilities seriously. People who vote have a stake in their communities and become more involved in the day to day workings of the places they call home.
I've taken DD to vote with me all of her life. (I've never missed an election, except when I was actually in the hospital) As a family, we discuss all sorts of political issues. As a result, she's developed her own opinions about the way things should be, and is prepared to work for the causes she believes in.
When the school budget was cut, DD was at every city council meeting, speaking passionately to defend not just the programs she loves, but programs for special needs students as well. When a proposal was made to open a bar across the street from her school, she was right with me at the licensing board meeting. To her, the government isn't some entity that rules from on high, but a process in which her voice is as important as anyone elses'.
Interestingly, DD's political leanings are very different from mine or Bob's. Not only does she have strong opinions, she's well prepared with information to defend her opinions, and loves to try and get us to change our points of view to her own.
Having our kids involved in the political process, and encouraging them to speak up is our best insurance against having their rights eroded. The Powers That Be have a strong interest in keeping the general public uninformed and uninvolved. It's up to me as a parent to make sure that my kid isn't led like a sheep by people who don't have her best interests at heart.
Off my soapbox,
Kathy N-V