What can you do about our government in Washington and Topeka? You can get informed and vote.

The percentage of eligible voters that vote in the United States and Kansas are disturbingly low, especially in non-presidential election years. Nationwide, the percentage of the voting age population that voted in the 2010 congressional election was 37 percent. In Kansas, it was only slightly better at 40.8 percent.

So at least six out of 10 eligible votes did not exercise their opportunity to decide who is going to pass the laws that dramatically affect them and their families. Issues like health care, education, taxes, jobs and so many more are not important enough to take a little time to become informed and then vote?

A democracy works effectively only when a majority of the people take time to get involved in the process, educate yourself and vote.

When this does not happen, it allows the fringes of our political parties to disproportionately influence the elections and the passage of laws that ultimately affect our lives.

You need to look no further than the recent primary success of the conservative wing of the Republican Party in Kansas as an example where only 23 percent of the citizens voted. In 2008, it also arguably helped the liberal voters elect our current president. In both cases, did the election results truly reflect the will of the majority of the people? Who knows when so many citizens do not care and vote?

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. I encourage you to register, vote and make a difference this fall at the local, state and national levels.

American writer and historian Edward Hale once said: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."

Vote!

Don Tilton

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