Let’s pretend for a second that the American Revolution never happened.

So what exactly would that mean for us?

It would mean that we were living as colonists and were still under British rule.

We would be paying taxes on tea and have taxation without representation.

We could still be quartering soldiers in our homes and would be prohibited to speak about the government’s faults.

Also, we would not have a say in who is in the government, because we are merely colonists, right?

Does any of this sound familiar? It should.

The Founding Fathers sought to get us the right to have representation, the right to bear arms, and the right to privacy. They listed these rights in their own document: The Bill of Rights.

They fought the Redcoats so that they, and their descendants, could have a better life with liberty and equality in the eyes of the law.

They would be rolling in their graves if they saw the way that we Americans disrespect that sacrifice by not voting.

The original citizens of this country would be flabbergasted as to why so many of us are too lazy or apathetic to drive down the road 10 minutes and vote.

Is it really so hard?

Would you want to go back to the days of being a colonist and be taxed unfairly, as well as be forced to allow British soldiers in your home?

Yeah, I did not think so.

I think we can all agree that we like having these freedoms, many of which do not exist in other countries.

If all of this is true, why, then, did only 41.6 percent of people registered to vote in the state of Michigan, actually vote?

Now I know what you are going to say: ‘Elections are on a work day,’ ‘There is too much paperwork,’ ‘I do not want to have to wait in line for hours on end just to check a box on a ballot.’ 

But, let’s put this all into perspective, shall we?

You do not want to vote … that is fine if you are OK with high taxes, bad roads, terrible leadership, and unfair laws.

Oh, what is that I hear? You say you do not want extreme punishments for crimes? You do not want bad policy? You do not want a unitary system of government or a dictatorship?

Well then, why are you not voting?

I know the majority of you reading this are still in high school and are not old enough to vote. But, in order to make good voting decisions, you have to start paying attention now.

Seniors, do you realize that most of us will be voting in the next presidential election?

Do you know who is running?

Well, if you do not, the top Republicans running are Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Rand Paul, and Donald Trump.

The top Democrats running are Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O’Malley.

Do you know whether you are a Democrat or a Republican? Do you know that Ben Carson and Donald Trump are both running, despite their lack of political experience? Is that better or worse?

Do you know what the candidates’ positions are on abortion, taxes, the death penalty, education, etc.?

Some candidates are in favor of raising the taxes to pay for college. Some are against abortion. What are your views?

You have to know these things if you want to be able to pick the president who best aligns with your beliefs.

It may seem like you would not make a difference in the elections, but as a wise teacher (Mr. Andrew Nester) once said, “I like to think that if I vote, then other people who think like me will vote, and that will have an effect on the results of an election.”

However, most of you reading this are probably under 18, so you might think there is nothing you can do to influence government.

Wrong.

There are many other ways in which you can take part in government. For example, you can work on campaigns, protest topics you feel strongly about, or write a letter to a public official.

These activities can greatly influence the people who represent you in government. After all, you are future voters right?

So will I see you at the next elections or out campaigning?