Chad Taylor
By Chad Taylor
As Americans, we enjoy the privilege of living in a democratic republic where our voices matter. The privilege to cast our votes was not simply granted to us without struggle; it was a right diligently fought for by those who came before us. Voting stands as a pillar of our framework granting each person the chance to shape the course of our governance. Unfortunately, some fail to appreciate this privilege and overlook the sacrifices made to preserve it. As publishers of community newspapers, we need to emphasize the importance of exercising this right within our community. This is particularly crucial in the environment of discord that we find ourselves in today.
Our nation’s creators envisioned a country where its citizens could actively participate in the governance process from the beginning; however, we should note that initially only a privileged group could vote: white men who owned property. Over time and through movements like the Civil War and the civil rights movement, among others, this essential freedom was eventually extended to all citizens after struggle and reform.
The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870 to grant men the right to vote; however, discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes hindered many from exercising their voting rights. The suffrage movement strived for years to secure the voting rights for women, resulting in the enactment of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 provided safeguards for minorities in the Southern region who had been systematically disenfranchised by local regulations.
These victories were no small feats. They marked changes in American history’s trajectory toward the belief that the nation should be governed with the people’s consent at its core. It’s important to note that none of these triumphant battles came without sacrifices of bloodshed and hard work. For instance, the assassination attempt on U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022 and now the second attempt on former President Donald Trump have brought to light just how dangerous unchecked rhetoric and political extremism can be.
When individuals feel so disconnected from the political process that they resort to violence, it’s a wake-up call for all of us. We may not always agree with our leaders or the decisions made by our government, but the right way to express our discontent is through our vote, not burning down cities. It’s important to remember that voting is not a privilege but a duty that we all have as citizens of this country.
The fundamental belief in government and the empowerment of individuals to control their futures are core principles of American society. However, there are instances where we neglect our responsibility to participate in elections, especially when critical matters such as taxes, business rules, and personal liberties are at stake. Many governmental policies that increase the authority of the government and limit liberties often get approved due to our neglect of voting rights as citizens.
This trend has been evident in times through the rise in government expenditure and control extending from the growth of social welfare initiatives to tighter regulations impacting businesses—matters that impact every American but especially hit home for those of us who believe in a free-market economy. The basic idea is straightforward. If we choose to stay silent and not participate in governance matters actively, then we shouldn’t be surprised if the government expands beyond its planned limits.
