Our right, privilege and responsibility

Upon graduation, the class of 2016 will embark on the worn path of adulthood. For those reaching legal age this year, turning 18 will add more weight to our responsibilities as graduates; we will not only have legal permission to buy lottery tickets and cigarettes, but also to vote in the November elections. Though we are consumed by other life-decisions like commitments to colleges and summer jobs, which play a critical role in our own individual lives, the person who will be deemed president of the United States for the next four to eight years, could have a significant impact on our lives.

Though some classes educate us on the state of the nation and the policies of the politicians running for offices, involvement in the political process is less of a curriculum requirement and more of an expectation. The news oftentimes seems boring, repetitive and didactic, but the gravity of this presidential election, as Peninsula seniors merge into the world of working adults and parents, should grip our attention as it directly affects our futures.
Whether or not we feel our vote has as much consequence as that of a mature adult, our civil responsibility is upon us. But it is not something we should fear or avoid; rather, we should embrace the power we have to vote. We are the generation that can take strides to initiate change concerning issues that directly affect us, such as mental health on school campuses and freedom of speech on media platforms. The media focuses on national issues like immigration and healthcare, both areas that the federal government manages. However, the size of local politics allows us to have a greater impact on esoteric policies and ordinances. In March 2017, adults can vote to extend a tax that supports paramedic and fire service in Palos Verdes. As possible future Palos Verdes homeowners, this sort of proposition has a direct consequence on our future checkbooks.
Rather than viewing this responsibility to vote as a burden, we should utilize this opportunity to actively assert our rights as students, and, most importantly, as citizens of the United States. Regardless of your views, you should cast your ballot in November for the politicians you support.