[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PAOLA OBISPO'S ESSAY

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                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight into the concerns of our younger 
constituents and hopefully get a better sense of the importance of 
being an active participant in the political process. Many of the 
students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am 
pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Paola Obispo attends Manvel High School in Manvel, Texas. The essay 
topic is: in your opinion, why is it important to be involved in the 
political process?

       In order for our current government to function at its 
     optimal levels, participation in our democracy is vital. If 
     citizens of the United States are not aware of how the 
     political process works they are powerless and have 
     furthermore failed to aide their country in reaching its full 
     potential. It is imperative that today's citizens be 
     knowledgeable about politics because it is only by actively 
     participating in our political system that change and 
     improvement will come to our nation. The question ``Why 
     should people be politically active?'' has a simple answer. 
     People should be politically active so that the government 
     reflects the interests of the people who are being governed. 
     In order for all important problems in our government to be 
     addressed all stakeholders must make known their intent to be 
     heard.
       The bigger and better question in politics should be: Why 
     are some groups of people not voting or further becoming 
     politically active? According to the PBS News hour website, 
     only 34.6% of eligible voters turned up for the 2014 midterm 
     election.\1\ This number had not been so low since 1944 when 
     World War II was being fought. Statistics like this reveal 
     the truth behind our democracy and the fact that the majority 
     of the people do not rule as most Americans do not 
     participate.\2\ Although considerably more people do vote in 
     presidential elections the percentage only rises to 58.2%.\3\ 
     This new presidential turnout percentage while impressive 
     compared to the midterm participation percentage appears dull 
     when compared to political participation found around the 
     world. It would be easy to point an accusatory figure at 
     those how abstain from voting as lazy, irresponsible, and 
     ignorant people who deserve underrepresentation. However, by 
     accepting this stance it is assumed that a vast number of 
     Americans poses those negative characteristics. Therefore, 
     there must be an underlying cause to this systematic 
     disenfranchisement epidemic.
       Possible causes to this disenfranchisement would include 
     the effects of voting dilution through political 
     gerrymandering and restrictive voting procedures. It is 
     impossible to deny that gerrymandering those not occur as the 
     odd shapes that compromise districts speaks for itself and 
     the fact that they tend to always benefit the artist of such 
     bizarre and abstract divisions leaves a lot to be said. 
     However despite laws that prohibit this malicious practice, 
     lawmakers still blatantly ignore the law. This act is not 
     only harmful to the opposing part as they lose an election, 
     it is harmful to democracy itself as it teaches Americans 
     that their voice is not important and will be impeded by 
     those very people meant to protect their liberty. Another 
     possible cause of voter discouragement could be stricter 
     voting requirements such as the Voter ID law that was 
     conveniently passed right before the election. The most 
     malicious aspect of this law is that it was passed right 
     before an election and stripped many voters of their right to 
     vote.

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