Life, 1928-10-19 · page 4 of 40
Life — October 19, 1928 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **public service advertisement**, not satire. Published by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, it urges Americans to vote in the 1928 presidential election (November 6th). The **central image is the Statue of Liberty**, symbolizing democratic duty and American citizenship. **The argument:** Only 49% of eligible voters participated in 1920. The text shames non-voters, claiming that low turnout allows unscrupulous politicians to seize power. It warns that "one-half of the voters" allowing a minority to govern is dangerous—the majority's will becomes unrepresented. The piece frames voting as a civic **responsibility and patriotic obligation**, not merely a right. It's essentially a "get out the vote" campaign emphasizing that democracy requires participation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Speak Up! LMOST every other person you meet today is grumbling about something connected with govern- ment and almost every other man or woman you meet neglected to vote on last Presidential Election Day. Often you hear them say, “What’s the use of voting? My vote won’t change the result.” Many of the men and women who should have cast their ballots in 1924 must have talked like that, for only 52 percent of them voted. America has faced many crises. She has made laws, amended laws, abol- ished laws. She has kept step with changing world conditions. But many old problems remain unsolved. New ones will arise. Your govern- ment will be as sound and wise as you and other Americans make it. You have great responsibility and great power. It is your duty to exercise that power. And the way to exercise it is through your vote. Do not neglect it. In 1920, 54,053,000 citizens of the United States were eligible to vote. Only 26,674,171 voted—approximately 49 percent. In 1924, out of a total of 56,215,000 men and women who should have voted, only 29,091,417 did— <= E about 52 percent. Most good Americans are willing to abide by the will of the majority. The trouble is that many of us are not sure that the will of the . majority is being expressed. By failing to vote, you offer ep. couragement to the political plun. derer and other unscrupuloy persons who are eager to proft by the opportunity you give them, dictate their wishes and save them§: selves from the danger of being goy. erned by a minority holding opposite opinions. Your next President will not bea despot or a dictator. He will not make or unmake laws, but he has great power and influence and wil go into office bound to use them to bring about the kind of government wanted by those who elected him| Once in four years you are called upon to vote for a President and thereby help to solve great problems§ i. ; Letnoprivate affairs prevent youg ** from doing your duty to yo country on Election Day. Be a good citizen. Go to thd polls on November 6th and vot When about one-half of the voters negled their duty the country is governed not by majority of the people—but merely by a m jority of the minority. In 1928 America needs every possible vote that the will of the real majority may > known. No one else can speak for you 0 Election Day. Speak for yourself. Vote. HALEY FISKE, Preside METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY~NEW YO Biggest in the World, More Assets, More Policyholders, More Insurance in force, More new Insurance each yé comicbooks.com