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On March 02 2012 02:47 mynameisgreat11 wrote:
Only considering national elections. President, senator, etc.
I live in the USA, and I have never voted, though I've been of age for the last three presidential elections. At first it was because I lived in a state which has always been completely lopsided for one party. I felt like my vote didn't matter, which I realize is a point that many will argue. But, fu, the fact is that my state would elect republicans for national offices no matter what, period.
In the past few years, however, my reasons have changed a bit. Now I realize that I just have no faith in the electoral system. As much as I hate sounding like a long-boarding, clove-smoking,, hipster douche, I feel like the fact of the matter is that the wealthy elite of the country really do control everything. Business moguls and celebrities become senators, governors, and president. Our laws, regulations, and taxes are thought up and created by people who are wealthy and powerful. They've proven time and time again that they're willing to use their position to advance their own ends.
And of course, lobbyists. Whatever company, group, or individual has the most money can trade that cash in for political influence. Oil companies wine, dine, and bribe for the rights to drill in previously protected environmental areas. Religions collect hundreds of billions annually, tax-free mind you, and then turn around and pump that money right back into congress to support bills that they find morally correct.
I know that this is nothing new. Classes have existed since the beginning of civilization. What's infuriating is that Democracy is touted as a government of the people, where decisions and policies are made based on the will of the general public.
It's not. That's why I don't vote.
Is this a blog?
This is ridiculous. Do you realize a little over 50% of the voting population actually voted in 2008? An historic election, about 55% of people voted.
Who knows what the other 45% was doing or even if they should be voting, because I don't want uneducated people just pressing buttons. But if you don't think 45% of the population can change the direction of the country you're happily deluded and living in a conspiracy theorist's life.
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On March 02 2012 02:57 D10 wrote:
I wish I could not vote, here in Brazil if you dont go vote you lose a lot of rights =(
One of the reasons we elect so many corrupt politicians, so many people with 0 idea of politics voting
You SHOULD lose rights... voting is one of the only things that separates you from a dictatorship. Furthermore, I cannot believe an American started this thread...
Even if you dont vote, the very fact that the people can influences more challengers to run for election so we dont get one family stuck in there doing whatever they want. Honestly, there has been tons of blood spilled for you to have that RIGHT. Go use it and stop whining when the other person wins your state.
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YAA lets all turn to communism. GO MARX!
well in this case more of GO LENIN!
o wait...
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On March 02 2012 03:16 KwarK wrote:
Statistically no one vote ever makes a difference, no major election is decided by a single vote. The argument "but if everyone thought like that then..." is meaningless because there is no connection between your choice to vote and anyone else's, if you go into the ballot room and spoil your ballot then nobody else will do anything different because of it. There is absolutely no value to voting beyond any personal gratification you get out of it.
There is no connection between your choice to vote and anyone else's? This isn't logical, of course there's a connection. This isn't people going into a voting booth knowing nothing and closing their eyes and pushing a button.
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On March 02 2012 04:21 SimDawg wrote:Show nested quote +On March 02 2012 02:47 mynameisgreat11 wrote:
Only considering national elections. President, senator, etc.
I live in the USA, and I have never voted, though I've been of age for the last three presidential elections. At first it was because I lived in a state which has always been completely lopsided for one party. I felt like my vote didn't matter, which I realize is a point that many will argue. But, fu, the fact is that my state would elect republicans for national offices no matter what, period.
In the past few years, however, my reasons have changed a bit. Now I realize that I just have no faith in the electoral system. As much as I hate sounding like a long-boarding, clove-smoking,, hipster douche, I feel like the fact of the matter is that the wealthy elite of the country really do control everything. Business moguls and celebrities become senators, governors, and president. Our laws, regulations, and taxes are thought up and created by people who are wealthy and powerful. They've proven time and time again that they're willing to use their position to advance their own ends.
And of course, lobbyists. Whatever company, group, or individual has the most money can trade that cash in for political influence. Oil companies wine, dine, and bribe for the rights to drill in previously protected environmental areas. Religions collect hundreds of billions annually, tax-free mind you, and then turn around and pump that money right back into congress to support bills that they find morally correct.
I know that this is nothing new. Classes have existed since the beginning of civilization. What's infuriating is that Democracy is touted as a government of the people, where decisions and policies are made based on the will of the general public.
It's not. That's why I don't vote.
Is this a blog? This is ridiculous. Do you realize a little over 50% of the voting population actually voted in 2008? An historic election, about 55% of people voted. Who knows what the other 45% was doing or even if they should be voting, because I don't want uneducated people just pressing buttons. But if you don't think 45% of the population can change the direction of the country you're happily deluded and living in a conspiracy theorist's life.
I do realize that about half the eligible voters here don't vote, yes. I don't think it changes what I said.
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Ok after reading this page my mind was blown lolol.
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I don't want to sound patronizing, but I think it would be nice if everyone in the thread made a point to not get too heated. Politics are emotional but rage-induced rants aren't very fun 
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On March 02 2012 03:04 Uranium wrote:
I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to vote this year. At first, I was going to vote for Ron Paul, but after seeing how he's completely sold out in his bid for the Republican party, I've given up. He had to become a staunch bible-thumping anti-abortionist to even be considered as a "real" Republican candidate. Seriously? What happened to separation of church and state? The rest of the Republican candidates are completely repulsive to me, and Obama is just meh.
Anti-abortion has nothing to do with religion. Most religions just happens to be against it.
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makes me glad to see that alot of others realize the corruption and idiocy that the entire electoral (and the federal govt in general) process is. why have a popular vote when the electoral college is picked completely separately and those votes are the only ones that matter?
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On March 02 2012 04:24 mynameisgreat11 wrote:Show nested quote +On March 02 2012 04:21 SimDawg wrote:On March 02 2012 02:47 mynameisgreat11 wrote:
Only considering national elections. President, senator, etc.
I live in the USA, and I have never voted, though I've been of age for the last three presidential elections. At first it was because I lived in a state which has always been completely lopsided for one party. I felt like my vote didn't matter, which I realize is a point that many will argue. But, fu, the fact is that my state would elect republicans for national offices no matter what, period.
In the past few years, however, my reasons have changed a bit. Now I realize that I just have no faith in the electoral system. As much as I hate sounding like a long-boarding, clove-smoking,, hipster douche, I feel like the fact of the matter is that the wealthy elite of the country really do control everything. Business moguls and celebrities become senators, governors, and president. Our laws, regulations, and taxes are thought up and created by people who are wealthy and powerful. They've proven time and time again that they're willing to use their position to advance their own ends.
And of course, lobbyists. Whatever company, group, or individual has the most money can trade that cash in for political influence. Oil companies wine, dine, and bribe for the rights to drill in previously protected environmental areas. Religions collect hundreds of billions annually, tax-free mind you, and then turn around and pump that money right back into congress to support bills that they find morally correct.
I know that this is nothing new. Classes have existed since the beginning of civilization. What's infuriating is that Democracy is touted as a government of the people, where decisions and policies are made based on the will of the general public.
It's not. That's why I don't vote.
Is this a blog? This is ridiculous. Do you realize a little over 50% of the voting population actually voted in 2008? An historic election, about 55% of people voted. Who knows what the other 45% was doing or even if they should be voting, because I don't want uneducated people just pressing buttons. But if you don't think 45% of the population can change the direction of the country you're happily deluded and living in a conspiracy theorist's life. I do realize that about half the eligible voters here don't vote, yes. I don't think it changes what I said.
So you just wanted to rant instead of talking about trying to actually make a difference? My bad. I misunderstood.
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I would of voted in the Arizona primary last tuesday, but the fucking republicans are either crazy religous which I don't want a president like that. Or just crazy, can anyone say moon base? hahah the only person i thought of voting for was ron paul, but some of his views and just ways he wants to run government isnt really for me. hopefully in another 4 years there will be a presidential candidate that is actually appealing for me.
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Why do we vote?
Voting is the best way to influence the government. There are plenty of close elections. Rick Santorum won the Iowa Caucus by 34 votes, that's it.
Elected officials can only get away with what their constituents let them. As for voter ignorance, yes that's a problem, but in my opinion there's no better alternative than letting everyone vote.
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On March 02 2012 04:30 SimDawg wrote:Show nested quote +On March 02 2012 04:24 mynameisgreat11 wrote:On March 02 2012 04:21 SimDawg wrote:On March 02 2012 02:47 mynameisgreat11 wrote:
Only considering national elections. President, senator, etc.
I live in the USA, and I have never voted, though I've been of age for the last three presidential elections. At first it was because I lived in a state which has always been completely lopsided for one party. I felt like my vote didn't matter, which I realize is a point that many will argue. But, fu, the fact is that my state would elect republicans for national offices no matter what, period.
In the past few years, however, my reasons have changed a bit. Now I realize that I just have no faith in the electoral system. As much as I hate sounding like a long-boarding, clove-smoking,, hipster douche, I feel like the fact of the matter is that the wealthy elite of the country really do control everything. Business moguls and celebrities become senators, governors, and president. Our laws, regulations, and taxes are thought up and created by people who are wealthy and powerful. They've proven time and time again that they're willing to use their position to advance their own ends.
And of course, lobbyists. Whatever company, group, or individual has the most money can trade that cash in for political influence. Oil companies wine, dine, and bribe for the rights to drill in previously protected environmental areas. Religions collect hundreds of billions annually, tax-free mind you, and then turn around and pump that money right back into congress to support bills that they find morally correct.
I know that this is nothing new. Classes have existed since the beginning of civilization. What's infuriating is that Democracy is touted as a government of the people, where decisions and policies are made based on the will of the general public.
It's not. That's why I don't vote.
Is this a blog? This is ridiculous. Do you realize a little over 50% of the voting population actually voted in 2008? An historic election, about 55% of people voted. Who knows what the other 45% was doing or even if they should be voting, because I don't want uneducated people just pressing buttons. But if you don't think 45% of the population can change the direction of the country you're happily deluded and living in a conspiracy theorist's life. I do realize that about half the eligible voters here don't vote, yes. I don't think it changes what I said. So you just wanted to rant instead of talking about trying to actually make a difference? My bad. I misunderstood.
I don't think he started this thread with the intent of solving the growing problem of voter apathy in the US. He's asking WHY people vote, as in, people who do choose to vote, why do you choose to do so?
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People in the U.S vote because thier individual vote doesnt matter but the American vote as a whole does. We vote because we feel we owe it to our fellow Americans who have the same believes as us.
All the bashing of the American political system is so overblown. Yes it is chaotic and yes money and lobbying does influence it, BUT our political system has made us hands down the greatest country the world has ever seen and probally ever will. The American politcal system has given all Americans so much opportunity, freedom and wealth that the biggest politcal arguements of the day are based on gay rights and religon lol.
Americans have so little problems that are biggest concern when voting is "what do they think about gay marriage" lol like a totally pointless topic, or "what is your plans for fixing these other countries like afghanistan iran and iraq", its not what is your plan for preventing American starvation or any of the other basic problems that many countries still face. So yes our system is a little crazy but until some other country comes close to besting it (which I strongly believe will not be in my lifetime), I will happily cast my useless vote and be proud to be an American.
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On March 02 2012 04:30 SimDawg wrote:Show nested quote +On March 02 2012 04:24 mynameisgreat11 wrote:On March 02 2012 04:21 SimDawg wrote:On March 02 2012 02:47 mynameisgreat11 wrote:
Only considering national elections. President, senator, etc.
I live in the USA, and I have never voted, though I've been of age for the last three presidential elections. At first it was because I lived in a state which has always been completely lopsided for one party. I felt like my vote didn't matter, which I realize is a point that many will argue. But, fu, the fact is that my state would elect republicans for national offices no matter what, period.
In the past few years, however, my reasons have changed a bit. Now I realize that I just have no faith in the electoral system. As much as I hate sounding like a long-boarding, clove-smoking,, hipster douche, I feel like the fact of the matter is that the wealthy elite of the country really do control everything. Business moguls and celebrities become senators, governors, and president. Our laws, regulations, and taxes are thought up and created by people who are wealthy and powerful. They've proven time and time again that they're willing to use their position to advance their own ends.
And of course, lobbyists. Whatever company, group, or individual has the most money can trade that cash in for political influence. Oil companies wine, dine, and bribe for the rights to drill in previously protected environmental areas. Religions collect hundreds of billions annually, tax-free mind you, and then turn around and pump that money right back into congress to support bills that they find morally correct.
I know that this is nothing new. Classes have existed since the beginning of civilization. What's infuriating is that Democracy is touted as a government of the people, where decisions and policies are made based on the will of the general public.
It's not. That's why I don't vote.
Is this a blog? This is ridiculous. Do you realize a little over 50% of the voting population actually voted in 2008? An historic election, about 55% of people voted. Who knows what the other 45% was doing or even if they should be voting, because I don't want uneducated people just pressing buttons. But if you don't think 45% of the population can change the direction of the country you're happily deluded and living in a conspiracy theorist's life. I do realize that about half the eligible voters here don't vote, yes. I don't think it changes what I said. So you just wanted to rant instead of talking about trying to actually make a difference? My bad. I misunderstood.
My OP was me expressing an opinion of what I thought. If you're interested in knowing what I think about 'making a difference', please refer to my previous two posts where I outline my feelings about that.
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I think [alot of places] would be a much better place if voting was mandatory.
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On March 02 2012 04:26 mynameisgreat11 wrote:I don't want to sound patronizing, but I think it would be nice if everyone in the thread made a point to not get too heated. Politics are emotional but rage-induced rants aren't very fun
That's a pretty inflammatory post about your personal views on a subject that have no real logical heft behind them to be asking for calm rational discussion, isn't it?
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On March 02 2012 04:33 -Duderino- wrote:
People in the U.S vote because thier individual vote doesnt matter but the American vote as a whole does. We vote because we feel we owe it to our fellow Americans who have the same believes as us.
All the bashing of the American political system is so overblown. Yes it is chaotic and yes money and lobbying does influence it, BUT our political system has made us hands down the greatest country the world has ever seen and probally ever will. The American politcal system has given all Americans so much opportunity, freedom and wealth that the biggest politcal arguements of the day are based on gay rights and religon lol.
Americans have so little problems that are biggest concern when voting is "what do they think about gay marriage" lol like a totally pointless topic, or "what is your plans for fixing these other countries like afghanistan iran and iraq", its not what is your plan for preventing American starvation or any of the other basic problems that many countries still face. So yes our system is a little crazy but until some other country comes close to besting it (which I strongly believe will not be in my lifetime), I will happily cast my useless vote and be proud to be an American.
I like lots of things about America, but I'd be careful about calling us the 'greatest country the world has ever seen'. I actually feel that America has only given 'so much opportunity, freedom, and wealth' to a certain few.
Lots of Americans have problems that aren't little, including starvation. My significant other is a social worker. Every day she is with people who are starving, ill and cannot receive care, and any number of problems that go along with being poor. These problems exist here.
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On March 02 2012 04:38 SimDawg wrote:Show nested quote +On March 02 2012 04:26 mynameisgreat11 wrote:I don't want to sound patronizing, but I think it would be nice if everyone in the thread made a point to not get too heated. Politics are emotional but rage-induced rants aren't very fun That's a pretty inflammatory post about your personal views on a subject that have no real logical heft behind them to be asking for calm rational discussion, isn't it?
I tried to stay civil. I'm sorry if I offended you.
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I've struggled with this as well. When I first reached voting age for a presidential election, I was so excited. I did a ton of research, bought signs to hang up, etc. I voted for George W. Bush. Then he wrecked everything and squeezed this country dry. I felt a lot of regret about that, and it upturned my views on politics and my own political alignment.
In the 2008 election, I didn't even vote. It was partly because my girlfriend had just broken up with me and I was depressed, but also because I didn't care anymore. I would have probably voted for Obama, but if I had, nothing would be different. Same for this upcoming election. (Insert Republican Here) will win this state no matter what I do. People tell me that my vote is my most powerful voice in this country, but that baffles me sometimes. I get the general idea of that, but... my vote would not have enacted any change in 2008 and it won't in 2012... where is the power there? I don't see my voice heard until CNN flips the electoral map to reveal the Popular Vote results for my state, which don't matter in the election.
I'm glad we have the right to vote, but the system is incredibly frustrating right now 
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EPT
