In the movie “Swing Vote,” Kevin Costner plays Bud, a drunken failure of a father whose politically savvy daughter, Molly, puts him in a most unusual position: casting a single vote that will decide the presidential election. As the inevitable media circus spins out of control, an idealistic Molly urges her father to consider the tens of thousands of letters he receives from Americans who share personal stories about the impacts of national issues, like health insurance and unemployment.

Molly, ever the idealist, urges Bud to help them, and he tells her there’s nothing he can do.

“You can speak for them,” she says.

We are all in that position. Every vote has the power to speak for Americans who are in pain, who are worried and struggling, but so many of us are just like Bud. Maybe we’re not drunk or drifting from job to job, but in large numbers, we still fail to complete the most simple action our nation asks of us. We are asked to take on one, single responsibility in return for personal freedom and the opportunity to live the American dream, whatever that happens to mean for us. And since 1960, we have reached a 60 percent voter turnout only three times: 1960, 1964 and 1968. In 13 of the last 24 biennial elections, more than half of us just didn’t show up.

People talk about “voter fatigue,” cynicism, the belief that big bucks lobbyists have the real power. I think we just don’t understand what one vote really means. Molly explains it very well in those five, small words.

If you have health insurance, and you know others don’t, you can speak for them.

If you have a roof over your head, and you know others don’t, you can speak for them.

If you have enough food to eat, and you know others don’t, you can speak for them.

If you have enough money to pay your bills, and you know others don’t, you can speak for them.

If your children are healthy and well-fed, and you know others are not, you can speak for them.

If you can afford to send your kids to college, and you know others who cannot, you can speak for them.

If your business is doing well, and you know others that are not, you can speak for them.

Your vote is not just your vote. It is your voice. You know what’s going on in this country, we all do. It’s not about political ads or partisan bickering or the games politicians play. People are losing their homes and their businesses. People are dying for the lack of basic medical treatment. Children suffer for lack of education, nutrition and something as simple as a good night’s sleep.

This time around, don’t just use your vote to speak for yourself. Use it to speak for them.