Ad Astra.

Last semester, my government class went to the library to register to vote. We were greeted by two party representatives, one from the Democratic party and the other from the Republican party. Before filling out the paperwork that would give most of us a sort of “right of passage”, the representatives each gave speeches that gave general views of what their parties stood for. It ended up being a persuasive argument between the two as to why students should register with their affiliated party.

My city, my county, and the neighboring ones (to the north, east, and south) support the Republican party. Yes, it’s baffling how California can have some right-wingers, isn’t it?! I’m really bad at sarcasm via text. But I digress. So when the speakers gave their shpeal, I already had this pre-conceived notion that many in the room would register to be Republicans. Not only is the area in which I live in predominantly Republican, but the students in my class were just so drawn into it. My government teacher was never shy about putting his input into the daily lessons. He did it so much that I can honestly say the class ought to be renamed “Teacher’s Opinion 101” instead of “Government/Economics”. And the way he did it was through careful diction. His words were so precise in making everything Democratic seem like a nightmare that the students were in a way brainwashed; they couldn’t think for themselves about what he said, and instead they just took it as fact.

“Oh wow, Obama really is turning America into a socialist society because he wants (insert fair program here).”

“Crap, those Mexicans are going to take back the U.S once they become the majority.”

“I guess we should go back to the gold standard. I mean, if my teacher majored in Economics, his bias clearly isn’t showing; it’s what he was taught in college!”

Stuff like that annoyed, saddened, and put me in just about every negative aspect of the emotional spectrum. How is it that they couldn’t think for themselves when the teacher gave his one-sided opinions? How could they, the majority of them almost 18, fail to ask what the other side thought and why they thought that? Where is the actual fact-checking? These are questions one asks before identifying with a party. The notion that so many people go out and give their one precious vote to a cause without knowledge is frightening. To be registered to vote is such an important aspect of one’s civic duty, and for one to do so without regards as to varying viewpoints is utter carelessness.

I’m already held strong by what I believe because I’ve been fortunate enough to have an open mind and be able to hear the two sides of a story. And I’m very glad that I am able to vote in this year’s election. Because if I’m the only Liberal in my city, county, and region, then so be it. My one vote - my one educated vote - could make a difference and could even make an example.