Why I Don’t Think Voting is the Most Important Thing You Can Do

In the recent days leading up to the presidential election, I’ve heard a refrain along the lines of “The most important thing we can do is vote.”

I don’t agree.

I think we all should vote. I think it’s a fundamental part of democracy. In fact, I think it’s an obligation we have to our country and each other. But I think saying it’s the most important thing is like saying the most important thing you do every day is brush your teeth. 

It’s just the beginning.

We only get to vote twice a year. We get to vote for the president once every four years. Your vote does matter, but you have influences you can exercise directly, every day, not just every four years.

If you are reading this, you are probably a business owner or leader (or aspiring to be one). You probably have some discretionary income. You probably make financial decisions every day.

So if you want to support hourly workers, you can post about raising the minimum wage on Facebook and maybe create awareness from like-minded people. You can cast a vote for a candidate who supports raising the minimum wage. Maybe those things will have an impact. 

Or, you can research to see what businesses already take care of their hourly employees. And then when you make a decision on where to buy coffee, eat lunch or workout, you spend your money at places that support hourly workers. My belief is that this has more of an impact than any social media post could and maybe more than signing a petition, attending a rally or maybe even voting.

You can also look at your donations and determine what causes you choose to support. Speaking passionately about preserving the arts to your family will not keep a theater's lights on or put food on the table of your favorite local songwriter, but cutting a check to support an impactful arts organization may do just that.

If you are a business owner or leader, you can talk about your views on diversity, inclusion and immigration and shake your head over injustices committed. Or you can make sure to cast a wide net when you hire, network with diverse groups, and build a team that crosses gender, age, racial and ethnic barriers.

If you are passionate about the environment, you can recycle your cans. You can also invest your 401k dollars with companies that support sustainability, renewable energy and conservation efforts. 

If you are concerned about the attack on the media, survival of the free press and a loss of objectivity in the news, you can stew about it over the dinner table. You can also subscribe to paid news services that support fair reporting and add news media back into your advertising budget. 

If you see an injustice or societal ill, from a homeless family on a corner to systemic racism and you think that “somebody” should help. I challenge you to be that somebody. I have friends who work in government. I have friends who are wealthy. But I don’t expect the government or the super-rich to solve our problems. I look at us, you and me, to use our purchasing power, donations, investments and business acumen to solve problems. It’s easy to blame capitalism for society’s problems. I propose that no one can solve a problem like good capitalism can. 

Small business owners, women, minorities and hourly workers have suffered the most during these last few months. Many white, salaried, colleg-educated office workers have seen their income preserved, cashed stimulus checks and spent less money by working from home. The wealth and income divide widens every day we remain in the midst of this pandemic. Your vote can help the recovery. Your checkbook can help the recovery even more.

So yes, please vote. But don’t just vote once every four years, or even twice a year. Vote every day with the actions you take so support the most vulnerable members of our communities.