Vote Today

Hey there, reader. So I have this theory that today, no matter what web page you're on, you should be reminded of your biggest responsibility as an American citizen. That's why in lieu of writing about video games today, I'm going to write about something more important - politics and video games.

I absolutely won't tell you who to vote for, but I'm going to be honest about something: gamers have been targeted by political campaigns. They know that you're young and opinionated, yes, but more importantly, you're quite lazy. They don't think you have the guff to get off your butt and vote. My friends, it's time to prove everyone wrong (McCain'd).

First, how about two gamers' issues?

1) Universal Internet access - Both Barack Obama and John McCain, on their respective sites, have called for the Internet to be a right (like electricity and phone service) to every American. Whether you live in an area rural or urban, you're old or young, you deserve the right to fast, efficient Internet access. What this means for gamers? If you want to play Xbox Live but your parents aren't willing to pay for the WiFi, maybe they'll think twice if President McCain/Obama kicks in some tax or loan incentives to make the process cheaper.

2) Piracy - John McCain supports efforts to crack down on piracy, on the Internet and off. Obama's stance on the subject is less clear (not on his site). What this means for gamers? Say you've just paid somebody to hack your old Xbox so you can throw on a bunch of emulated SNES games that you got from a torrent site. John McCain will be way less happy with you and will "crack down." That's someone else's intellectual property and, chances are, you can buy that game on the Wii Shop Channel. The word is out on what Obama will do (unless you're importing counterfeit DVDs into the country, then you'll get a talkin' to).

There are many more reasons to vote. Even if you don't like either of the guys for president, vote for mayor or governor or treasurer. Do some research - The Herald-Dispatch is home to many comprehensive interviews with candidates and a mock ballot. That's how I made my voting decisions. Don't assume that the game is over - just because Candidate A is ahead of Candidate B in the polls that all hope is lost for Candidate B. No - there's still work to be done. Finally, do not assume that your vote doesn't matter. There are hundreds of people sitting there saying the same thing. What if 2,000 people who said "my vote doesn't matter" voted? That can swing an election.

So go vote for the people who have spend millions of dollars trying to reach you and get your vote. After all, one candidate worked especially hard for the gamer vote - at least acknowledge it by showing up to the polls.