[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/25/art.voteing.md.gi.jpg caption=" "Potomac Primaries" a sign at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The sleeping giant may be starting to wake up. All it took was: The illegal invasion of Iraq, which led to a war that's now in its sixth year. The destruction of our civil liberties in the name of the war on terror. The quadrupling of oil prices. And the early signs of a recession that could be as bad as anything we've seen in a long time. And suddenly, the American voter is all ears.
The evidence is in the record turnouts for this year's primaries, especially among Democrats. Young people are suddenly showing up to vote in numbers we've never seen before. And based on information from places like Arizona, it looks like this tidal wave of voters is only going to continue to swell right into November.
Politico reports Arizona says voter turnout could be as high as 80%. In 2004 voter turnout hit 61% nationwide – and that was the highest level since 1968.
It's about time. For the first time in our history, our worldwide reputation is shot and our standard of living is beginning to decline. One reason this has happened is we have allowed it to.
By not being proactive and participating in our democracy, the forces that would exploit it and ultimately destroy it have had a free rein. But these voter registration numbers are very encouraging because when Americans finally get up off their collective butts and decide to do something, it's a force that's simply unstoppable.
Here’s my question to you: What does it say about the importance of this election if voter turnout in November could be as high as 80% in some states?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Tom from Boston writes:
Good God, almighty! We finally have something we can praise George Bush for: eliminating voter apathy and creating the largest voter turnout on record. Everyone wins, including poor Georgie, who finally gets something for his "legacy!"
Ifeanyi from Houston writes:
It says that the people have risen to the call for change. Win or lose, Obama has done something that he should be very proud of forever: His clarion call for change was heeded by groups that never considered voting important, and his superb organization has been galvanizing people to register and vote. This is novel and should be a blueprint for motivating Americans in all spheres. Above all, this is an indication that this may be the most important election of all times because it will produce the most supported president. I just hope that the bickering and side shows do not rub off on this innovation.
Keith from Irving, Texas writes:
It says John McBush is "toast."
Pamela from Maryland writes:
As cliché as it sounds, it means that there is the promise of hope lurking within the average voter. The economy is in the dumps, gas is at an all-time high, education is a bitter disappointment and the old fogies in Washington couldn't be more disconnected with the American public if they lived in another country. It's beyond time for change.
Anu writes:
It says that we Americans are finally pulling our heads out of where the sun don't shine and attempting to do something about the mess we've ended up in while we were busy listening to what Simon Cowell has to say.
Michael writes:
Where were all these people in 2004?
Brian from Sugar Land, Texas writes:
I expect some may even rise from the grave to vote in this election.