According to my belief, the “common man” still have a legitimate place in the American political system due to the fact that this is how the founding fathers of this nation set it this nation up. However, this was not true before the Jacksonian Era when women could not vote, while blacks were considered as second-hand citizens, and slavery was the norm in the southern states. The changes that occurred through various reform movements addressed the inequalities in the American society and everyone started getting a legitimate place in the American political system (Keyssar 311). This legitimacy is however, compromised in some cases where some people including felons are excluded from the voting process.
Possessing a college degree, performing a civic work, or even paying more taxes than other individuals does not mean that your vote nullifies or carries more weight over another person. Giving it more weight means that the political system is corrupt and this implies that it is proper. All votes are equal regardless of the background or financial status of the person making that vote since each vote counts and all votes are equal.
The universal voting practice is still valid even in the 21st century since it would help in ensuring maximum voter registration. This is due to the fact that some of the adults in the United States are still excluded from voting. This includes some categories of felons who are not allowed to vote depending on their probation or parole status. Denying such people their right to in the political system is a manifestation of lack of democracy in the 21st century.
Work Cited
Keyssar, Alexander. The right to vote: the contested history of democracy in the United States. New York: Basic Books, 2009. Print.
