Convention Couture

Wearing your heart on your sleeve is all the rage this election season.

By Stephanie Agresta

In the last two weeks, many Americans gathered around their televisions and computer screens to tune into both the Democratic National Convention (held in Denver, Colo.), and the Republican National Convention (held in St. Paul, Minn.).  In case you missed it, both parties' websites offer great re-caps. You can also find the keynote speeches on YouTube and links to the social networks for each candidate on TechPresident.

There's no doubt that the folks who attend those conventions really care about their candidates and the political process. Check out some of the outfits that BoomerGirl photographed last week.  Now that's passion! After all, how is wearing a t-shirt for your favorite candidate any different than wearing a jersey for your favorite band or sports team?

I spent Labor Day weekend gathered with friends and family at the beach in New Jersey.  Of course, politics came up and, of course, yours truly got involved in the conversation.  All this media coverage and personal debate regarding the election got me thinking: What makes some people so passionate and others so apathetic? And as many of us get involved in get-out-the-vote efforts this fall, are there ways that we can discuss the issues that won't turn people off or make them uncomfortable?

For those who are hesitant about joining the debate or voicing an opinion, I say feel free to engage. A healthy democracy requires a robust conversation among its citizens. Just remember that it's OK to agree to disagree. And if you're talking to friends and colleagues that seem disinterested in politics, respect their views, but gently remind them our democracy only works if everyone exercises their right to vote.