Columns » End Rant » Issue #43

Why Should You Vote?

Why Should You Vote?

Think your one vote doesn't count for much? Around 500 votes in Florida swayed the 2000 presidential election — a margin of .03% of the state population — 1 in 3000! The American people have a real say in how this country is run, our policies and our leaders. Make your choice and place your vote... it matters more than you might believe. -Tardon Feathered, Mr. Toads

About 25 percent of qualified voters can elect a president, your state's electoral votes are not directly proportionate to its population, and neither the Constitution nor federal law requires your states' electors to vote according to their state's popular vote. Your vote (sort of) counts. -Geoff Farina, Karate

Don't think that your one vote will change anything, but instead, KNOW that our collective votes can change everything! -Hillary Johnson

I want to ensure that any artists do not get blacklisted by the government, Clear Channel, or fervent supporters of any party because of their political beliefs. Freedom of speech should be freedom of speech. Not freedom to agree with any administration. And why do I spend $400 a month as a freelance worker for health insurance when every other industrialized country in the world offers healthcare? Vote. And if you don't vote, don't complain. -John Agnello

If you choose not to vote this year, you are giving power and access to resources to people who are not at all like you and me. They will stop at nothing to further their agenda. And they do not have the slightest concern for your welfare or the welfare of your families. It's not certain that they even like music very much. -George Massenburg, GML

For those of us aspiring to and those blessed to have careers making and recording music, you may never have a greater opportunity to affect the culture we will be recording and playing in than to get your sorry ass to your local polling place on November 3rd (or if that's too daunting, go get an absentee ballot, like me). As artists, the world doesn't really ask all that much of us in terms of duty or responsibility, but this time around it is SCREAMING at us to act, and all we actually have to do is vote. -Steve Berlin, Los Lobos

Don't let feardom ring! -Doug Easley, Easley-McCain Recording

My quote is "Command-Z". -Mike Caffrey, Monster Island

The revolution WILL be televised, but the revolution won't occur until and unless WE all vote, leaving the Jerry Springer-watchin' "my vote don't count" people's votes not to be counted. -Fletcher, Mercenary Audio