Does every vote count?

Every election year television programs are filled with ridiculous campaign ads that are more hurtful than helpful for the candidate endorsing them. We have commercials telling us that a vote for one candidate is a vote for approving drinking and driving.  We have another candidate telling us “I am not a witch” , and what’s that help us? With obscure impressions of candidates and wild accusations, what exactly are citizens supposed to vote for?

Personally, I feel that election candidates need to reassess the image they are giving themselves by attempting to belittle their opponents. It makes me wonder who is in charge of the PR department of their campaign. Not all publicity is good publicity. These outlandish commercials are not sending the right messages or images. The public is interested in the more important things such as how candidates are going to help the community. People want to know what these candidates are going to do for us, not what foolish or crazy things their opponents have done.

As a college student, I keep getting told “you need to vote, every vote counts and you can make a difference”. Which brings me to the main question, does every vote really count? Most of us, not only college students, really do not know who we are voting for. Yes, there are those who are actually interested in politics and government and want their voices heard in the polls, but what about the rest? Should people even vote if their choices are based on who is better looking, who has a better family background, or who is or is not a witch? Maybe people would be more inclined to pick up a pencil and mark a ballot if they knew what they were voting for.

Michelia Pham

University of Minnesota
Jour 3279
Blog Assignment