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A few days prior to every major election, TV news stations gather up groups of "undecideds" and pepper them with questions about what each candidate could say to earn their votes.
It's outstanding that people in this country are open-minded enough to consider candidates from either party and be receptive to ideas from across party lines. But being undecided just before an election may be an indication that some people don't know their own minds.Election season shouldn't be the time to ponder what issues are important to you; rather, it should be the time to ponder which candidates best represent your views on the issues that are meaningful. Having an opinion on the issues of the day is something that should happen throughout the year. Knowing whether you think tax cuts are wise, if farm subsidies make sense, or if stem-cell research is important to you means establishing your own platform, regardless of who's in office or who's running for office.
Why is having an opinion important? Because the opposite is so harmful. When citizens tune out, when they become apathetic, disillusioned, or disconnected, it gives politicians, corporations, and the media the freedom to do as they please. Suddenly, scandals start happening, bad laws start being passed, and the dating habits of today's hot starlet become the stuff of news.
Commit to becoming a bit of a newshound. Whether you prefer newspapers, television, the Internet, or radio, stay abreast of current issues. Read opinion magazines to see what other people are thinking about, and create your own list of priorities.
Remember: The best way to judge your officials' on-the-job performance is to know how they have handled the matters of greatest concern to you over the years -- not how well they did in a speech a few days before being up for reelection. Likewise, evaluate new candidates based on their command of the issues you're passionate about, not on how telegenic they are!
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