Asnanti Jones
Sumner-Winter
02/12/2008
Let’s Not Get Out the Vote
Robert Coulson

As I read the title of the essay, I guessed that it will be another essay about getting out voting and making and changes. I thought it would be another motivational argument about taking advantage of the opportunity that my ancestors fought for to grant me the honor of casting my vote to affect politics. When I began reading the essay, I was instantly shocked. I have never read any kind of literature that was against voting except from a religious standpoint. The tone immediately made me think the essay was written by a male.
I was extremely captivated by what the author had to say when the author says,” Non-voters are often more intelligent, more fair-minded, and just as loyal as voters. The right not to vote is as basic as the right to. If voting is made a duty, it ceases to be a privilege.” For someone to openly say that non-voters are more anything than voters is a very bold statement. I have never heard anyone say that. Usually, when someone speaks of voting, they are saying that you should definitely vote and if choose not to, you are making a very big mistake by not allowing your opinions to affect the actions of the government.
I think the audience of this piece would be American citizens. At first, I would say that it is directed to non-voters. It appears, by the title; Let’s not Get Out the Vote that the writer is immediately taking the side of those who do not vote, and possibly admitting that he does not vote. As I read further, I changed my opinion. The writer is speaking to all Americans. He is saying that Americans are known for there ability to vote and choose who we want to run our country. Since we do have this ability, we are expected to vote. Every American does not have a reason to not pick the candidate that will run our country and enhance the country enough to force us into prosperity. Yet, he is saying that non-voters are often choosing the right thing to do if they are not sure who to vote for or if non-voters would just rather those who are more political savvy to make to make the right decisions. He even mentions how some voters have a tendency to allow their decisions to be persuaded by other’s opinions. If people make decisions based on these other issues, their vote will ultimately take the government into the wrong decision.
This is an essay that I can truly say will always stick in my mind. Voting has always been such a detrimental topic for not only Americans, but for people all across the world. We often scold the countries who do have a democracy. We disagree with having a leader being forced among others. However, Robert E. Coulson has allowed himself to stand up and speak when everyone else had decided to sit quietly. He is giving the non-voters a voice that they are afraid to use. For those who do not vote, that tells us that they are not focused on speaking their minds and making changes. By Coulson coming out for them is such a smart move. I admire his voice to represent those who are not willing to express themselves. Even if he was a voter, I think it is awe-inspiring to stand up for those who do not.
I was surprised to know that the article was written in 1955. I have always had this idea in my mind that around 1955 people were maniac voters. I imagine that everyone was motivated and excited to cast their votes. I thought every parent was anxious to register their child when they were of age to vote. Apparently, not everyone in the fifties was the way that I thought about voting.
Let’s Not Get Out The Vote will always be an essay to influence many of my future opinions about politics. I hope to see further literature about the other opinion. Not just about voting, but any issue that is usual ruled by the majority. It will be interesting to see the other opinions of the minorities.