People must vote to be represented

The only way for a democratic system to work is if the people who are being represented vote.

Without a large portion of the population voting in elections, democracies are chaotic and ineffective. In the U.S. presidential election of 2008, the voter turnout was 57.1 percent and in 2012 it was 54.9 percent. Countries such as Belgium and Sweden had a voter turnout above 85 percent their last election.

Many Americans complain that the government does not represent their views, and that is probably due to the lack of voting. On Oct. 18, a Wall Street Journal survey reported that many voters are tuning out for this year's bitter presidential election. As Americans and the second-largest democracy in the world, I think we can do better.

This coming election, I encourage everyone to come out and vote so our government is, in the words of our great President Abraham Lincoln, "of the people, by the people and for the people."

In order to have a democracy that accurately represents the people. voters must come out to vote. Without a greater percentage of participation our government will continue to fail to represent the majority of its people.

Regardless of our faith, color, race and ethnicity, we are fortunate to live in a country where we are able to vote and decide who has the power to govern us.

Prakash D. Nigam

Palatine