My anger was so thick flowing through my veins that I had to restrain myself from choking a kid who said he had not in fact voted. Instead I told him “It’s your fault that Bush has been elected.” My boyfriend, who I felt should have been just as outraged as me that this punk had chosen to remain a part of the problem and do nothing to be a part of the solution tried to quiet me. I just do not get why these young people throw away this amazing right we’ve been given to take part in things. I always knew that voting was a responsibility and a right and absolutely invaluable. How do they not?

When will everyone see just how blessed we are to have this right to vote?

My classmates told me they voted.

How dare they say that they think they’re making a statement by not voting. All you got to do is sit your lazy ass on the floor.

If you don’t like any of the candidate, you still show up at that poll and you vote, even if it’s a write-in candidate.

What?!

“It’s a choice, not a right”!?!!?

If you aren’t white in this country, it’s a hard-earned right.

If you don’t have a penis, it’s a hard-earned right.

If you don’t own property, it’s a right. If you’re illiterate, it’s a right. If you’re not Protestant, it’s a right. All rights that weren’t there when this country was started.

If you’re fucking between the ages of 18 and 21, it’s a right that wasn’t there when this country started.

Voting wasn’t a given when we started this country. Why do people take it for granted? Why? Why? Fucking why? I was 17 during the presidential elections of 1988, three months shy of 18. I was pissed that I had to wait until I was almost 22 to participate in a presidential election. I couldn’t wait. Why do people throw it away now?

I’m hung in a space between tears and violence. I am too much in shock. I suppose it’s mourning. You’re correct, ‘Sted. They’ll see. I hope and pray that they’ll see.