Am I the only one that chooses not to vote?
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You should definitely vote, as although the Supreme Court (also, majority owned by Corporate America...) chooses to give money a free reign in politics, you are choosing how far right you want the actual policies to go (on a rough scale of 1 to 10): Democrats (7) and Republicans (9).
As an example, under the Republicans, do you think there'd be all these recent bank prosecutions (e.g. BBC News - JP Morgan faces US currency trading probe)? I think not (as they want to defund the SEC etc, etc).
As an example, under the Republicans, do you think there'd be all these recent bank prosecutions (e.g. BBC News - JP Morgan faces US currency trading probe)? I think not (as they want to defund the SEC etc, etc).
DoktorEvil
Banned
Abstaining from voting, fine. I could care less.
Keep in mind there are people who want to vote but simply can't.
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
The US does a wonderful job of making most people cynical and too distracted to know or care about how the country's political system even really works.
It seems like the problem now is, generations of apathy have begun to take their toll. And since the situation is so grim, it just encourages further apathy.
If nothing else it seems the insanity of the last decade has shaken at least some people out of their stupor and caused a bit of a political awakening. Not nearly enough, but there's a weak, distant pulse.
It seems like the problem now is, generations of apathy have begun to take their toll. And since the situation is so grim, it just encourages further apathy.
If nothing else it seems the insanity of the last decade has shaken at least some people out of their stupor and caused a bit of a political awakening. Not nearly enough, but there's a weak, distant pulse.
Screaming Meat
Unconfirmed Member
It's like attacking a trifle in a T-72, for some people that's reason enough to indulge in it.
SolidSnakesMyStepDad
Member
How?
Randomizer
Member
Not from the US but I don't vote either. I would take part in a referendum though but haven't voted in over 10 years.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Not voting is a vote "for whatever," indicating apathy. If you don't care to vote for issues, then don't start caring when the issues begin to affect you. Or, if you do, care enough to start voting from the non.
Veritigo_X
Member
These days it's as easy as taking an online quiz. Probably not as accurate as researching a handful of candidates, but it's better than ticking boxes along party lines uninformed.
http://www.isidewith.com/
My coworkers were playing around with this all day today. Kinda cool to see what % socialist you are, heh.
Link posted above.
Screaming Meat
Unconfirmed Member
The line between the three main parties is pretty blurry. I think making sure UKIP take a hit is the only reason to bother, myself.
Deified Data
Banned
Truth be told I had this outlook for years, and as sad as it is to say it's not entirely without merit. Clearly both major parties are as different as night and day on many important issues, but if for example your big sticking issue was campaign finance reform (as it is mine), it's easy to see how someone can get disenfranchised. The important thing to keep in mind is that the very powers you rail against are the same powers who are relying on the certainty of portions of the population not voting to remain in power. You may abstain from voting out of a desire to stay out of the game, so to speak, but refusing to vote is playing into their hands just as surely as voting for them is. Vote for a third party candidate if you can, even if they have no chance of winning it sends a clearer message than staying at home.
D
Deleted member 17706
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Google, man.
Look up your state, city, county, with the term "2014 election."
Just be warned that you'll likely encounter sites with an agenda, which is understandable, since most people who are active in politics have an agenda.
Check the website of a local newspaper for example. They'll probably have an attempt at an objective breakdown of the issues and candidates.
DoktorEvil
Banned
FunkyMunkey
Banned
"They're all the same" means you lack even an elementary understanding of current politics or how the policies we deal with today and the ones we will have to deal with in the future, are created. Like talking to a disenfranchised 18 year-old who thinks they have it all figured out by lazily thinking all sides of the aisle are the same and not doing even a modicum of research that would quickly show otherwise.
This means you hold no opinion on taxes, education, the environment, local/state businesses, local/state police, infrastructure, anything, which of course is untrue. But saying everyone is the same and choosing not to vote means you don't value your own opinion much, and so why should others value yours when they find out you didn't vote? And it always frosts my tips to think about all the people who have fought/died to give us all the simple right to vote.
This means you hold no opinion on taxes, education, the environment, local/state businesses, local/state police, infrastructure, anything, which of course is untrue. But saying everyone is the same and choosing not to vote means you don't value your own opinion much, and so why should others value yours when they find out you didn't vote? And it always frosts my tips to think about all the people who have fought/died to give us all the simple right to vote.
Not wanting to vote for a corrupt bureaucrat doesn't automatically make one apathetic. I can be keenly aware and interested in the issues, but shouldn't be forced to vote for someone I don't want to simply to legitimize any political opinions I may have.
The Real Abed
Perma-Junior
I only vote for presidents. So far I haven't gotten one wrong. Rather none of the ones I voted for have lost.
We'll see if my record remains after next years election.
We'll see if my record remains after next years election.
Thanks that really helped a lot actually. If I can find my voter ID card I may just head out
Affeinvasion
Member
You probably don't even need your voter ID card. It's different for everywhere obviously but you can get by often with your photo ID and proof of residence.
Let's take a look at a few issues, simply from the Democratic and Republican party stated policy planks. This should help tell you whether they are different.
Gay Marriage: Republican-No Democratic-Yes
Abortion: Republican-No Democratic-Yes
Social Safety nets (foodstamps, medicaid, social security): Republican-Charities/Bootstraps Democratic-Yes
Gun Control: Republican-When you pry it from my cold dead hands Democratic-Responsible background checks and reasonable restrictions.
https://cdn.gop.com/docs/2012GOPPlatform.pdf
http://assets.dstatic.org/dnc-platform/2012-National-Platform.pdf
You really don't see any differences between the two major political parties in the United States? I call you ignorant and you have no right to complain when an issue you care about is infringed or affected.
Gay Marriage: Republican-No Democratic-Yes
Abortion: Republican-No Democratic-Yes
Social Safety nets (foodstamps, medicaid, social security): Republican-Charities/Bootstraps Democratic-Yes
Gun Control: Republican-When you pry it from my cold dead hands Democratic-Responsible background checks and reasonable restrictions.
https://cdn.gop.com/docs/2012GOPPlatform.pdf
http://assets.dstatic.org/dnc-platform/2012-National-Platform.pdf
You really don't see any differences between the two major political parties in the United States? I call you ignorant and you have no right to complain when an issue you care about is infringed or affected.
DoktorEvil
Banned
MY biggest pet peeve is seeing the same people wax political opinions and talk as if they have an intimate understand of the electoral system are the same people who don't vote.
Affeinvasion
Member
No. You ARE the traffic.
I clarified that statement earlier in the thread. Yes, there are obvious ideological differences between the parties (even within the parties).
That statement was in reference to the way politicians function and operate in Washington and in their state legislatures once they've been elected. They cozy up with lobbyists, redact their previous positions, and become corporate puppets. I've seen it occur time and time again, and quite frankly, I'm sick of supporting these clowns.
evilromero
Member
Going to the websites for our state's governor, lieutenant governor and state senator candidates you could have fooled me. I made sure to register in advance so I could vote against our state's current governor. Well, I went to the websites of each candidate and immediately lost interest. I don't support our troops or veterans, nor do I care to support them financially after they serve with any sort of benefit. I don't support spending more money on education in its current form. I don't support any of these big blanket statement issues that really mean nothing and just perpetuate silly saber rattling.
The OP is absolutely right though. There is no way to truly galvanize a large amount of support when your ideas, however progressive and imperative to the evolution of a people may be, disrupt the status quo and their lifestyle. I realized I'm not interested in state issues. I'm interested in global ones. Developing technology for more renewable sustainable energy. Encouraging the adoption of solar energy, wind energy, electric and hybrid car use. Animal welfare (if we can't treat animals with care and respect, then we have no hope of treating each other with such), advanced health care technology and spreading the ideals of a healthy lifestyle (which will take the burden off of the health care system). Most importantly, highlighting the need for critical thinking and not being afraid to question something. Can things be better? A simple idea. But it's a starting point for every single person to then move forward with thoughtful level-headed decision-making abilities. If we're more enlightened and accepting of technology, sympathetic towards animals and eager to learn, all of these other issues that define a politician's platform seem wildly unimportant and frivolous. We're still struggling with basic human rights issues for crying out loud! These shouldn't even be issues. But they are. And that tells me that ego is and will continue to be at the forefront of politics.
Orbis Tabula
Member
"The government never does the things I want them to. So I'm going to make as little noise as possible about it and make sure that my dissatisfaction doesn't effect them at all. That'll show 'em!"
lazer_bean
Member
I don't vote and I fail to realize why people keep voting for some people to represent them and do things in their name.
It's not like those representatives were somehow representative of me. No, not at all: they're professional politicians. They do it for the country. And sometimes it's the country that needs them. lol
I don't see any farmers or nurses, pilots or teachers among the representatives of my assembly. Many seem well off. I guess the State (You) is generous. Also, they're mostly white people.
A lot of western countries are oligarchies, not democracies.
In my country a blank vote is not even counted, it's worth nothing. You are not even allowed to say "I am not interested in any of the people I can choose from".
Also, the media have a huge role to play in this too because I assume you vote for people you think you know. And you only "know" them though the media.
anyway, not tonight
It's not like those representatives were somehow representative of me. No, not at all: they're professional politicians. They do it for the country. And sometimes it's the country that needs them. lol
I don't see any farmers or nurses, pilots or teachers among the representatives of my assembly. Many seem well off. I guess the State (You) is generous. Also, they're mostly white people.
A lot of western countries are oligarchies, not democracies.
In my country a blank vote is not even counted, it's worth nothing. You are not even allowed to say "I am not interested in any of the people I can choose from".
Also, the media have a huge role to play in this too because I assume you vote for people you think you know. And you only "know" them though the media.
anyway, not tonight
I dunno if this is true anymore. Dems are awfully skilled at making up reasons for cutting up the US' paltry social safety net, even when they hold the reins.
I suppose it makes sense not to vote if you don't care about women's rights, their reproductive rights, pay inequality, the poor, children and their education, or any other of a number of issues that one party routinely threatens.
I voted. Was sad to see no one else at my polling place, but then i do live out in the country.
I voted. Was sad to see no one else at my polling place, but then i do live out in the country.
AstroNut325
Member
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
So many people are utterly oblivious to this.
I always hated riding with people who would shout in frustration at traffic, saying things like "what the fuck's going on that has everyone and their mother out on the road?!" as if they owned the streets or something.
Really? Your life is sooooooo busy that over the course of the last 6 months since primary were over you haven't had enough time to read about a half dozen people and their stances?
To be honest, I'm so trapped in my little engineering college student world and ignorant of the electoral process I didn't even know it was time to vote until yesterday. I dont know when primaries are or on what schedule this stuff happens.
IblisGinjo
Member
Surprised no one mentioned Henry David Thoreau. Three quotes out of many to think about:
This is probably the best-put way of thinking about it I've heard.
The solution to the OP's apathy is to get out there and try and make the system better, if you feel the system isn't working. But "everyone's the same, fuck politics" sure as hell won't make politics better.
More specifically, if you don't think you have a voice where it matters, you're a fool. Local elections are swung by very few votes in most instances, and those people have more sway over your everyday life than people in Washington. Not to mention running for a local election is eminently doable as a normal citizen.
ChawlieTheFair
pip pip cheerio you slags!
I don't vote one because I don't have the time to deal with jury duty and quite frankly my vote wouldn't matter in two ways. One is because I live in Louisiana, where the majority vote is almost always gonna go right, so no matter what I do it's pretty much guaranteed who I vote for won't get in. And two, because simply in the grand scheme of things, my one vote won't make or break a political race, therefore I see no point in voting.
I'm guessing you don't donate to charities or anything?
Because your $5 isn't going to help those people rebuild their house or pay medical bills so why bother.
This wasn't even directed solely at you. It's extremely frustrating for those of us that care about our country to see the apathetic people claim that there's no difference or that their vote doesn't matter. Yeah, there's way too much money in politics. It's worse now than ever before. It still matters though, especially at the state and local level where things actually impact your life.
You don't want to vote? Fine, its your right to choose whether or not to exercise your constitutional right to vote. But to make a ridiculous thread like this when it's easily demonstrated that a majority of people that are able to vote in non-presidential elections, don't? These are the truly important elections. Where your vote actually counts. Of course you should expect to get rebuking responses like mine. I don't want to wade through seven pages of headache and rage inducing ignorance/apathy to see if anyone has had their mind changed or amended their previous views.
Just FYI, the whole voting = jury thing doesn't seem to be true anymore. Apparently things like having an ID, a drivers license, filing tax returns etc will all get you on the jury list.
I didn't vote 2 years ago and I regret it. I felt so angry and disenfranchised that I really thought it didn't matter.
It matters. I won't speak for the OP but personally I owe it to myself, my siblings who aren't old enough to vote yet, my neighbors, my fellow Americans, and everyone who came before me, especially those who fought and died so that we could vote and have a voice in how this country is run and developed, to exercise my right as an American to vote.
It matters. I won't speak for the OP but personally I owe it to myself, my siblings who aren't old enough to vote yet, my neighbors, my fellow Americans, and everyone who came before me, especially those who fought and died so that we could vote and have a voice in how this country is run and developed, to exercise my right as an American to vote.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
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