In 2010, 37.8% of the voting age population voted in the midterm elections. You can bet the 1% showed up. So where were the other 61.2% of you? You could have swung the election.
In 2008, 56.8% of the voting age population showed up. Slightly better. But where was everyone?
So while we're celebrating the awakening of the 99%, let's make sure they're heard. Let's make sure they vote.
It's great that everyone's going down to occupy wall street and Boston and little towns throughout the midwest. The message is wonderful. And while it may not be completely clear what everyone wants, it's pretty clear that they feel their voices aren't being heard.
Well, there are lots of ways to have your voices heard in addition to participating in the protests. When you get home for the night, you should look into taking your commitment to the next level, so that you can take the first steps to being the change that you're asking for.
Here at DailyKos, someone has already provided a convenient guide for the most motivated of you to run for office.
If you don't want to run for office, you can always help someone else whose message you believe in, or work for a nonprofit on a cause you believe in. There are lots of places you can go to find out more about such jobs like here and here and here and here.
Perhaps you have some free time and can volunteer for a campaign.
And for those of you who don't plan to get that serious, at least get some voter registration forms and start making sure others that are occupying the city nearest you are at least signed up to vote.
Just for a little context, if the rest of the 99% that didn't vote in 2010 had started their own party and voted for their own candidates, they could have controlled the entire House of Representatives.
UPDATE
h/t to my old friend casperr, you can sign up to help register voters at the wall street rally here.
Voter Registration and Tabling about the "Millionaires' Tax," "Buffett Rule," American Jobs Act and Living Wage campaign
Where: Zuccotti Park, corner of Liberty Street and Trinity Place
When: Daily, afternoons and evenings
A group of local progressive organizers has decided to capitalize on the energy of the Occupy Wall Street movement to register new voters and advocate for specific policy changes that have as their common goal a fairer, stronger economy for all.