By Conor Shapiro
Joseph Chmielewski recently opined that not voting is a sign of aloofness and apathy. He claims it makes one look lame and ignorant. While undoubtedly true for some, his denunciation of the right to abstain is flawed on many fronts.
First, voting in this defective two-party system contributes to its perpetuation. We don’t have to choose between which candidates will drop the most bombs or bail out select special interests (both). Even including a third or fourth party candidate couldn’t possibly represent the interests of America. By voting, we’re substantiating a failed system that leaves us continually disappointed. To enable that process in any way is to comply and submit to its authority, decision-making and the overarching system.
The condescending nature of Chmielewski’s op-ed could be summarized like the Geico commercials: Voting is so easy! A caveman (us) can do it! He’s right, and that’s precisely what elected officials hope we’ll do. But let me ask this: If you’re vegetarian, would you buy a cheeseburger? If you loathe the Second Amendment, would you donate to the NRA? Of course not. We boycott things we dislike. Boycotting is a fundamental expression of our dissatisfaction. If we know we despise this undemocratic system, why conform?
The irony of Chmielewski’s piece is that he longs for progress by asking the most trivial task of punching a ballot. Casting a ballot is effortless. He is right in that regard. He’s also right not to expect any progress or change. You don’t win marathons by taking a daily 10-minute power walk. Real change requires effort and commitment.
Young people have a responsibility to rebuke the system and offer alternatives. We have the brio and optimism necessary to enact meaningful change. That change is not a campaign slogan (sorry Obama), but a complete departure of electoral politics and a transition toward a system of autonomy, opportunity and freedom. This system moves away from hierarchical systems of power and toward forums of individual consent. The cheap and easy route is to vote red or blue. Therefore, the putrid results of this cheap and easy system are unsurprising.
Chmielewski’s final insult, that we don’t have the right to complain when we abstain, is absurd. In fact, the inverse is true. Only by refusing to submit to democratic-in-name-only authority do we retain the right to criticize the system and all of its components. We’re too young to enthusiastically agree to a system that binds us like a rope on the railroad tracks. Change, progress and freedom will be paraded by team red and blue, but we deserve so much better than they could ever supply.
To modify the beginning of Chmielewski’s piece: Nothing makes my stomach turn faster than when someone says they’re voting.
Conor Shapiro is a graduate student in the School of International Service and a former columnist for The Eagle.
