The Reason why you Should Care
It seems to me that the majority of Americans have a minimal understanding or biased understanding of how politics affect us daily. Whether it's the goods and services that we need, or the laws that oversee our communities, we are affected by decisions made by Washington everyday. The entire purpose of being educated and aware of what is happening is to be able to have an influence and a voice. Too many times I hear people frustrated about current leaders, or current policies and when asked about how to make change they do not know how. Voting time comes around and a lot of people either vote uninformed, vote based on what other people tell them, or worse of all simply do not vote at all. In this article, I hope to explain a few reasons as to why politics are important.
Policies Impact Daily Life
Political decisions translate directly into policies that affect every part of an individual's life. The way a government handles healthcare policy, whether through universal coverage or a private system, directly impacts the quality and cost of healthcare you receive. For instance, in countries with universal healthcare, people may not need to worry about medical bills in emergencies, while in countries without it, individuals might face high costs or lack coverage altogether. Political decisions about funding, curriculum, and access to education shape the quality of schooling people receive. A government’s stance on public education can determine how well schools are funded, the quality of teachers, and whether or not education is accessible to all children regardless of income or background. Policies on welfare programs, unemployment benefits, food assistance, and disability services impact people’s ability to survive during tough times. Decisions made about these programs can either provide crucial support or leave people struggling to meet their basic needs.Government spending on roads, public transit, and utilities has a direct impact on daily life. Good infrastructure makes commuting and everyday tasks easier, while poor infrastructure can cause delays and discomfort.In all these areas, politics is key because it determines not just the structure of these services, but also their funding, accessibility, and quality.
Social Justice and Rights
At its core, politics plays a critical role in determining who has access to rights and freedoms, and under what conditions. Laws regarding freedom of speech, the right to protest, privacy rights, and even what you are allowed to say or believe in public are shaped by political leaders. Political movements have historically fought for civil rights—such as women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, or racial equality—and ongoing political struggles determine whether progress continues or stalls. Political leaders and lawmakers decide how discrimination is handled, whether through anti-discrimination laws, equal opportunity policies, or affirmative action. In many cases, it is the government’s action—or lack of action—that determines whether marginalized groups (based on race, gender, ability, etc.) have equal access to opportunities and fair treatment. Political change is often a response to public pressure, where movements for racial justice, gender equality, or LGBTQ+ rights lead to new laws and protections. These changes help shape the social fabric of a society, determining how inclusive or exclusive a nation or community is. The political system also dictates the creation of laws or the absence of laws that can either prevent or foster these movements, influencing the direction of social justice reforms.
Economic Well Being
The economy is one of the most crucial areas where politics directly intersects with individual lives. Political decisions influence everything from income to job security to access to financial resources. Taxation policies affect how much you take home in your paycheck, how much you pay for goods and services, and how public services are funded. A government’s tax policies can either redistribute wealth in a way that reduces inequality or exacerbate income disparity. Political decisions around minimum wage, worker protections, unionization, and job training have a major impact on individuals’ ability to earn a fair wage, work in safe conditions, and access opportunities for advancement. Without political intervention, workers may not have legal recourse to fight for their rights. During times of economic downturn, politics plays a huge role in determining how resources are allocated to revive the economy. For example, governments may pass stimulus packages, bail out certain industries, or introduce policies to create jobs. These decisions determine how quickly an economy recovers and who benefits from it.Political decisions also determine trade agreements and the movement of goods and services across borders, which affect prices, job markets, and access to international markets. The way a government manages international relations and tariffs can impact local businesses, prices, and employment rates.Economic policies about welfare programs, healthcare subsidies, unemployment insurance, and pension plans have a huge effect on financial security. The stability of these systems ensures that individuals aren’t left without support in times of need, such as during illness, job loss, or old age.
