why don't you vote?

[bmain77]

So why don't you vote? I know most of us Schmoes are an elightened bunch, but just going by the numbers it seems like there must be a few of you out there who aren't registered to vote or are registered but don't vote. So why don't ya?

Those of you under 18 it's pretty obvious why so you don't need to say yo I'm only 16 or whatever. I just want to here some of the reasons why.

In the almost 10 yrs I've been able to vote I've missed two elections. The biggest one was for governor a few years ago, but that day I was venturing too far from the toliet in fear of soling my pants. I was so sick. Then circumstances kept me from voting for my own uncle in a local school board election two weeks ago. I had errands to run then got a flat tire. By the time all that go taken care of I had to get to work. Didn't feel too bad though he got on the board.

I know their is a growing number of people who are registered to vote but choose not to because of the lack of quality canidates. If that truly is someone's reason I actually respect that a little bit.

[SLAW]

Everyone must vote! It bothers me that so many left of center people refuse to vote (many of which got fed up all the way back with Mcgovern), which I can understand many of the points about the flawed system, but USUALLY it's up to the people. A main problem is not enough people take their votes seriously, nor do they give it any real thought.

[Scarface98.9]

I'm only 17, so I can't vote, but if I could vote, but didn't, it'd probably be because of not knowing much about the canidates, and general laziness

[bmain77]

Originally posted by SLAW
Everyone must vote! It bothers me that so many left of center people refuse to vote (many of which got fed up all the way back with Mcgovern), .

I'm not sure its fair to say that its left of center people who aren't doing the voting. You look at the numbers and I'm sure the blame falls all across the political spectrum. In fact, I would think that if you were to talk to people who don't vote they couldn't even begin to tell you where abouts they fall.

[Jim H]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
I'm only 17, so I can't vote, but if I could vote, but didn't, it'd probably be because of not knowing much about the canidates, and general laziness

Yeah. First time I voted, I hadn't heard of 2/3 of what was on the ballot (judges, things like that - I didn't even know they were on it).

[Unicron]

I HAVE To vote....or i'll get fined big time. In both State and Fedral elections

[jeo4]

I vote every time. And I'm not even a senior citizen (yet). :D

Seriously, if you are of legal age to do so, you need to vote. This nation needs to keep every one of it's elected individuals hopping and wondering how long it could be before they are replaced. If they aren't working for us, then they need to go.

[flowrchild]

Every single eligible person in the country should vote. It is the only way our voice is heard in politics. If you don't vote, then you shouldn't bitch about how the government is doing, because you did nothing to try and change it.

Even if you don't support the 2 party system, go vote for a third party. Anything. Just take an active stance.

[Morgana]

Originally posted by flowrchild
Every single eligible person in the country should vote. It is the only way our voice is heard in politics. If you don't vote, then you shouldn't bitch about how the government is doing, because you did nothing to try and change it.



That's exactly what I think. If people don't vote, then they have no right to bitch. I don't really understand how people can lack interest in politics when it affects their very lives.

[quoth_the_raven]

I vote. I can understand why a lot of people won't though...theres a feeling you are going to have the same shit whoever gets into power. But I dare not vote, because, I would lose my right to bitch about politics. I do so like to moan about Tony Blair and I did vote against the greasy fucker last time.

Not that it did me much good...

[Adornado]

Originally posted by Morgana
That's exactly what I think. If people don't vote, then they have no right to bitch. I don't really understand how people can lack interest in politics when it affects their very lives.

Actually, the people who don't vote are the ones who have the right to bitch. Example: I go and vote for someone who gets elected and they do an awful job, they fuck everything up. I can't complain because I helped get them there.

Whereas, someone who didn't vote could complain all they wanted because they had nothing to do with electing him.

[Morgana]

Originally posted by Adornado
Actually, the people who don't vote are the ones who should bitch. Example: I go and vote for someone who gets elected and they do an awful job, they fuck everything up. I can't complain because I helped get them there.

Whereas, someone who didn't vote could complain all they wanted because they had nothing to do with electing him.

Well that also works the other way, though. What if you voted for someone and they lost? And then somebody else gets into office, and totally putzes things up like you already knew they would? Then you have the right to bitch, too! ;)

[SLAW]

Originally posted by bmain77
I'm not sure its fair to say that its left of center people who aren't doing the voting. You look at the numbers and I'm sure the blame falls all across the political spectrum. In fact, I would think that if you were to talk to people who don't vote they couldn't even begin to tell you where abouts they fall.

From what I have seen, many left-wingers in this country don't vote. If absolutely everyone in America voted, it is my opinion that more left-wing politicians would be in office. This country isn't as conservative as many think it is, it just looks that way.

[Adornado]

Originally posted by Morgana
Well that also works the other way, though. What if you voted for someone and they lost? And then somebody else gets into office, and totally putzes things up like you already knew they would? Then you have the right to bitch, too! ;)

Um, well...erm, uhhhh...look! A dog with a fluffy tail!

[Sigur509]

I just turning 16, but even when I am able to vote, I probably wont. For the same reasons as Scarface98.9 said.

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
I'm only 17, so I can't vote, but if I could vote, but didn't, it'd probably be because of not knowing much about the canidates,


This is a somewhat radical suggestion, but you could always try and involve yourself and try to find out for yourself about the candidates. I realise the laziness might interfere with that, but you should try it. you might like it.

[ANavissi500]

I do vote - I've done the democratic primaries and that's it so far, but that was also my first election since I turned 18.

[countchocula]

I'm a firm believer in only voting if you're well-educated on each candidate. I'm not, so I'm pleading ignorance. I don't have the gumption to do the research, and I never let politics affect me. Allow me to rephrase that; it does affect me, but not emotionally. I don't really care who's in office. I have opinions on certain issues, and I enjoy discussing those issues with rational people, but I rarely even think about politics. A presidential election will never be decided by one vote. As for other elections, I care about those even less.

[Grebdron]

I became jaded several years ago, adn stopped voting for people. I started only voting on issues, and even then I would only vote on issues that affected me and that I'd read up on. It always pisses me off no end when people will vote the party line exclusively. For example, when a judge position opens, somebody will read the littel bios on the judges, tehn vote for the one that is a Democrat, or has left leanings. If you don't know anything about them, don't vote for them.

That said, I am SO voting Kerry in '04.

[Scarface98.9]

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
This is a somewhat radical suggestion, but you could always try and involve yourself and try to find out for yourself about the candidates. I realise the laziness might interfere with that, but you should try it. you might like it.
In elections and such, I try to be well informed even if I'm not allowed to vote, but some of what I read is vague and/or goes over my head, so I'm continually confused about it, and resort back to casual laziness