Ohio State (OSU) football coach Jim Tressel made news today when he announced that he chose to not cast a vote in the USA Today coaches poll, the final one of the season before the bowl games. The reasons were simple: he was the head coach of the #1 team, and he felt it would've been improper for him to show a preference for whom he wishes to play in the National Championship game in Arizona on Jan 8, 2007. All individual ballots are made public, and he was not allowed the option of a split-vote. Hence he abstained. Many pollsters, coaches, and sportswriters weren't pleased with his decision, fearing it would set a dangerous example and precedent for future votes. In the end, his one vote wouldn't have changed the outcome of Florida being OSU's opponent. Given all his valid reasons, Tressel in my opinion did what was best and most honorable.
In this "Land of Liberty" called the U.S.A., we often hear that voting is both a right and a responsibility. Many Americans interpret this as saying, "you have to vote." "If you don't vote, you've no right to complain afterwards," goes a common saying. Is the converse true - if you do vote, then you've all the rights in the world to complain and whine? I say no.
Here's why. While it's true that no citizen of this land should neglect this important right through sheer laziness, apathy, or cynicism, it's just as important that people make informed votes. In this age of mass media and ads, that is almost impossible. Still, more objective comparisons for making informed decisions are available for those who see the importance of doing so. This leads to the next issue - what if, after all the research, a vote turns out to be a "pick your poison" deal? What if it's a choice between a racist mobster and a totally incompetent wimp? If the one I voted for turns out to lose millions of government dollars, should I be held accountable for my vote?
It is clear, then, that there are times when the best vote is to not, to abstain. Usually that won't make you very popular. You'll be called spineless, indecisive, irresponsible, or worse. But that's what makes your non-vote powerful and courageous. You didn't contribute to a lose-lose situation. Like Tressel, you did what seemed most logical and honorable - and that is a right and responsibility that everyone should exercise.
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