the informed electorate

Many of you who read this are probably Americans under the voting age. However, that doesn't change the fact that you are still a citizen of the United States of America under the power of a democracy. I know I'm not really 'fit' to talk on this topic, but I think it's especially important to raise some sort of awareness about this.

What is the informed electorate? One definition describes it as the following:

Citizens who, when they exercise their right to vote, have the necessary information to protect their own interests.

I think there are three things to take away from this definition: 

1. Citizens of a democracy have the right to vote, a right to have their voice heard on issues of different governing policies of the land. In America, however, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 report, only 41.8% of the voting-age population voted. Less than half of our country's citizens have let their voices be heard. 58.8% of citizens from ages 18-24 years of age have not voted. The young people of the U.S. have the potential to guide how their generation is governed. How can you continually say what you want when you don't do anything about it? You can start by voting. But how shall I vote? Whom do I vote for? Take a look at the next point:

2. Citizens of a democracy have a duty to be informed with the necessary information. How do you expect to vote for someone when you have no idea what they stand for or support? Learning the policies and issues that are crucial to each candidate is vital for understanding what you or others may elect into office. There are very real issues being argued for and against across our nation. You have the right and ability to vote for a person who represents your values and views on different policies and issues. I challenge you, the reader, to take time to learn what's going on right now in the different levels of government in our country. Knowledge is truly power. 

3. Citizens of a democracy have the right to protect their own interests. In a democracy, the power (ideally) belongs to the people. The people have the ability, the right--the duty--to vote for a government that suits their needs most appropriately. It is about the people, whether they vote Democrat or Republican (or something else). The fact that we can vote for what we feel is best for us is an amazing reality and privilege. Use it. It's there to protect our liberties and freedoms set in the Constitution. 

The recent SOPA and PIPA bills and the controversy surrounding them are good examples of an informed public. Many Americans feared that these bills would take away their rights of free-speech on the internet and lead to a loss of internet anonymity. They feared censorship. And although the people didn't necessarily vote on these bills, they had the power to help sway the decision of these bills. 

The People have the power to help stop things in Congress. The public opinion in a democracy should win over that of a larger-than-life governmental system.