TOW #23- Non fiction Text 2

     To most teenagers, turning 18 means being a legal adult and possibly moving out.  Yet there is still one other privilege that is often overlooked by the other glories of adulthood: the right to vote.  Voting is an important factor of American life, and always has been viewed with value.  It is something that our past has fought for, even risked their lives for.  So why does the youth view voting as such an afterthought?  In order to use our rights to fullest capacity and choose the best suited government for our people, we must re-inspire the youth to vote.
     When we put our ballot in the box, not only do we help the country reach a decision, but we also help our own sense of decision making.  Teenage and early adult years are designed for learning how to make decisions, and deciding who will run a country is an important conclusion to come to. In the 19th century, politics were the youth's main passion.  Riots and violent protests would roar with young voices expressing what they want; it gave them something to be enthusiastic about.  Today, however, the majority of 18 year olds are not standing outside of government buildings with torches and pitchforks.
    The relationship between politics and young people is a symbiotic one: they both benefit from each other.  Just as the youth gains from political experience and becoming more decisive, politics gain the youth's input.  When these voices are not heard, the people are unsatisfied with their country: but when a voice never speaks, it is impossible to be heard.  If upcoming generations choose not to vote, then politicians can not know what they are looking for in a government.  And when a country's people and government are on separate pages, there is no way to get anything accomplished.  If anything, it can be a major setback.
     Communication between the youth and its potential candidates is a right we were given a long time ago; it is just time we put it back into good use.   In order to revive our rights and get the most out of our government, the youth must realize the value of voting.  It's time that teenagers start looking forward to their 18th birthday.  But not for the reason of going to college, or being able to participate in adult activities- instead, for the right to vote.


http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/opinion/campaign-stops/virgins-booze-and-american-elections.html?ribbon-ad-idx=12&rref=opinion&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&pgtype=article