After a certain amount of time, almost everybody who loves politics or government or social causes loses not interest--but faith in the system.  At some points we have believed in our lives that this guy was "our guy"--that he would finally be Jefferson Smith, and change things the way they should have always been. 

Almost every time we are let down, and they fall short the grace of God or Zeus or Mr. Smith.

At such low moments, Republicans, and Democrats alike are prone to say, "Why bother?"
Or, to become Independents, or part of a third party movement--until that too proves an uphill battle, unlikely, or an impossibility--and steers us from community activism into our private disillusionment.

What are we to do?  Why bother to vote when with R or D, we still get screwed, and we still feel hungry and empty after we do the groundwork every 4 years.  Why waste time getting excited, getting invovled, spending time with strangers instead of our children--for the right reasons--but all in vain, when all is said and done...  Is it worth it?

I think so.  At least--that is the socially responsible thing to say.  In 2000, if a bit more of us have voted, who knows how things might have had to turn out, no matter what people had up their sleeve.  Who knows if voting really counts, but it still is the best way to live.
People, if for nothing else, should vote because of what it cost, and how many people have paid for us to have that right, that duty. 

I rememember having one of my first jobs.  I worked in a machine shop, that employed about 15 people.  It was hot, small, cramped, filthy.  One day I worked through breaktime, alone at my station.  Not because I was a kissass, but because I was interested in finishing something.

One of the older machinists came in.  He said, "Joe, it's Breaktime.  What are ya' doin?"
When I told him I was fine; just working through break--he said, "Alot of guys got beat over their head for that break we get; you should take it.  Alot of guys never got breaks.  In some countries, they still don't."

So, I took my breaks after some thought.

We don't have a perfect system; far from it.  But at least we have a say.  At least we don't get beaten or killed for calling our President "Hitler."  We don't have to kill our leaders or have a war every 4 years.  And, at least we have a hand in picking.  And alot of guys got hit over the head, shot in the face, and killed for that.  We should use it, proudly, as an act of duty, of citizenship, patriotism--and defiance, each and every time we have the opportunity to.