Week of August 21, 2005

THE EDITORIAL
BY JEFFREY J. ORTIZ
WEEK OF AUGUST 21, 2005

www.jeffortiz.com

Dear Readers,

Most of Nederland citizens who are eligible to vote do not in city elections.

Thats right, when you look at a city election in the City of Nederland, eighty to ninety percent of those who could vote, dont. The voter turnout in Nederlands 2005 City Election was just ten percent of registered voters.

In all other races, with extremely rare exceptions, most of us let the other guys determine our representatives and governors, school board and city council members. Of course, the ones elected by those other guys still write and execute the laws for all of us.

The Founders of our country fought against taxation without representation. Over the years since, Americans civic lethargy has gradually given us representation without voting.

"Well," you say, "its a free country, and if I dont want to vote I dont have to." True enough. But what a sad truth.

Why dont most of us want to vote? Did a decade of extraordinary prosperity and peace lead to certain complacency about politics? "Hey, things are pretty good. Why worry about voting?"

With the central issues of city taxes and economic development, perhaps voting will matter more in May of 2006.

At least one can hope. The pollsters report that "trust in government" is higher than it has been since the 60s. The flag and other important symbols of the Republic have rightly been at the forefront these past months. Hopefully, now, participation in the democracy the substance of the Republic might enjoy a similar resurgence, and one that will last.

If there is one part of the electorate that needs a strong nudge to the polls, it is our young people. With most of their lives ahead of them, those aged 18 to 30 arguably have the most at stake. Yet, less than a third even vote an a Presidential election. Over 30 million were missing from the polls nationwide.

Recent research shows that the easy labeling of our young people as cynical, apathetic, or self-centered largely misses the point. Most candidates ignore young adults because most of them dont vote, and most of them dont vote, in part, because candidates ignore them. A vicious and self-fulfilling cycle of expectations.

I am determined to break that cycle here in Nederland, Texas.

It is important for all of us involved in politics to see this problem for what it is a long-term threat to the health of democracy. Young people want to be taken seriously, treated with respect, not patronized. They place a high value on authenticity and honesty. They remain idealistic about America and insist on higher standards.

Incumbent or challenger, Republican, Democrat or third party all of us running this year or in the future should make it a point to seek out younger voters, acknowledge their stake in things, and ask them to vote and participate in the political process. We have a responsibility as candidates to be more accessible holding debates and forums organized for younger voters is a good place to start.

Through the simple but profound act of voting this year, all Nederland citizens, of every age, can resolve to seek that "new birth of freedom" Lincoln prayed for.

Think what a powerful message Nederland can send in May of 2006 if more of us voted than ever before!