Complacency is not an option
A method exists to determine easing the cost of tuition, providing extended health care to students, limiting the national debt our generation will inherit and creating foreign policies affecting what will happen to the many troops, including students, currently serving. College students should take advantage of that method.
It began with the 15th Amendment declaring the right of all citizens no matter what race, color or previous condition of servitude to vote. Four amendments later, we had the 19th, stating any citizen may vote no matter what their gender.
In 1971 we had the 26th Amendment, declaring the right of U.S citizens 18 years of age or older to vote.
Since then student voters have grown complacent. We have not voiced our opinion and expressed our influence concerning local, state or national issues.
Good or bad, the voices and opinions of college students once stood for something. No matter your opinions on an issue, we made it clear that the passion and drive behind them would not be contained and the student voice of America would not be quieted.
Vietnam is remembered as an era of student protest, and the idea that those individuals directly affected by the decisions of our nation's leaders decided to stand up for what they believed is viewed with mixed emotion.
On one hand you have the power of the freedom of speech, which was displayed in full force. Protests covered city blocks as thousands marched against a decision they could not decide, and when presented with the draft, more and more students took to the streets.
On the other hand you have the cause of all this. Students were unable to influence decisions on war policy, and many young Americans were required to serve in the military or face imprisonment. Would your interest in issues today be piqued if there were a draft for Iraq or Afghanistan?
It should not take the idea of mandatory military service to elicit a response from student voters.
It should not take the end of being covered under parents' health coverage and struggling to find affordable insurance to create an interest in the topic.
The time is now.
Whether Republican or Democrat, each party's ballot represents a monumental shift from the previous 20 years in politics. No Bush or Clinton will be in the White House, and we find ourselves with the first African-American and second female candidate to grace major party ballots.
Perhaps it's this or just the idea that today's youth are again voicing opinions with conviction, but there seems to be resurgence among student voters.
A better understanding of the system as colleges' nationwide work to educate students on voting, such as College of Lake County's recent Rock the Vote event, have aided what CNN has labeled "one of the greatest turnouts in young voter history."
Regardless of the cause, student voter turnout increasing is monumental to the future of this nation, but it's not over.
In less than 50 days the next president will be decided. Voting stations throughout the nation will open, and millions will enter to cast their ballot.
We don't need to take to the streets in protest.
We don't have to dodge a draft or fight for our right to vote.
We have to register and exercise our right and duty to cast our vote and take a stand for what we believe.
Josh Shapcott
Lake Villa