Published: 02.01.2004
By John Garcia
SPECIAL TO THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Voting. Not many people my age see the importance of it.
My friends always said, "You're just a teen - who is going to listen to
your little voice?"
In the back of my mind, I thought they were ignorant. I believed in the power
of one vote, even before I was 18.
Then the Gore-Bush battle happened. I was terribly shocked and let down by the
aftermath. In Florida, votes weren't counted, and some people were prevented
from voting. I personally believed that Gore should have won, but somehow Bush
became president. To me, his term hasn't been a walk in the flowers.
After that I wondered if my friends were right. How would my vote count with
kinks like that in the system?
So one day when I was waiting for my bus after work and a man approached asking
me if I wanted to register to vote, I laughed. Again, I remembered my friends'
words about my little, insignificant voice. I remembered the uncounted votes
in Florida. Did I want to register? Nah.
But then I stopped myself. I thought of Bush's term, still not a walk in the
flowers. I knew I wanted things to change. I started to remember what my mom
and elders have told me: "The only way to make any changes in this country
is to vote." I agreed and filled out the forms.
Tuesday is the first time I will vote in an election. I have no idea what will
happen. Even though I hear a lot about the elections every day, I know very
little about the candidates. All I do know is that I want someone in power who's
capable of leading this country, someone who is going to take us in a positive
direction without war.
As a registered Democrat, my vote on Tuesday will help decide who will become
Bush's opponent. I'm not sure who that will be. I need to talk to some more
people before I decide.
In the meantime, I'm glad I listened to my conscience. I know that every vote
is crucial, even if it comes from someone my age.
My advice for people who complain about the government is to take matters in
your hands and get up and vote to change your country. That is the beauty of
a democracy. This country needs to be led back into the flowers and out of the
weeds.
* John Garcia is a senior at Cholla High School. He plans to attend Pima Community
College next fall. This is his second year with 110 Degrees. Contact him at
voices@azstarnet.com.