Why Are Voter Turnouts So Pathetic?

[Steve]

In yesterday's Tulsa election, some 10% of the population voted.  My guess was this was about 25% of the registered voters.  

Why are voter turnouts in this country so pathetic?  This is not just a local phenomenon, but a nation-wide disgrace.  Everyone always has an opinion about this or that, but so few exercise their duty to vote.  I guess U.S. citizens just take their freedoms and priveleges too much for granted.  I think it is very clear, especially since 9/11, that things like freedom and civil liberties are not to be taken for granted, and can be taken away quite easily.

In my 30 years of voting eligibility, the only elections I have intentionally missed were local school board elections, only because I have no children and do not read up on the candidates.  I know that is a poor excuse, as the quality of local schools affects us all in some ways, not just those with children.

Any thoughts on why voter turnout in this country is so dismal?