This video is spreading all over the net, and since it’s super Tuesday I thought I’d post it here.

If you’re registered to vote, and today is election day in your state…get out and vote. The more young people (I’m assuming that blog readers are generally young) that get off their asses today the more likely politicians will talk about issues that effect young people.

I wrote something about how just showing up at the polls can improve our lives a few months ago on The Liberal OC, and it’s particularly poignant today.

Politicians don’t take us seriously. Far too often what young people care about (the environment, civil liberties and the number of our friends dying in Iraq) is pushed aside for things that old people care about (prescription drug prices, Medicare and the privatization of social security). That’s because on Election Day, old people turn out.

We’re voting on a secret ballot…so the government doesn’t know what you voted for, but they do know if you vote.

Just showing up on Election Day (and convincing a friend or two to do the same) is doing a service to the interests of young people…even if you’re voting for bad candidates or propositions.

Don’t worry about who or what you’re voting for (remember, your vote isn’t deciding too much). But if a lot of people your age and my age show up and vote, the politicians will get the message that we are a political force. The environment, civil liberties and the number of our friends dying in Iraq will become more important to elected officials.

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