Skipping vote may send wrong message

There has been some talk about an “enthusiasm gap.” The general reason for not voting this time is that voters want to send a message. While that might be the goal, the reality is that you are effectively casting a vote for the other side.

For the many Democrats who are not planning to vote, quit whining about what you didn't get so far and appreciate the monumental changes you did get. Stop listening to the nonsense being peddled by the Republicans and tea party people who have been distorting the effects of the various programs that have turned a failing economy into a recovering economy and start using your own mental facilities to honestly evaluate what has been accomplished so far. By all means keep complaining, keep pushing for more but for heaven's sake don't let the other side win by default.

If you think letting the other side win will help you get closer to your goals you are displaying an incredibly underwhelming amount of cleverness. So if you are not going to vote because you are sending a message, you are going to send one to everybody all right just not one that puts you in a very flattering light.

James Prescott

Schaumburg