Are you voting?

[E.C.]

I have to keep Senator Murray in office somehow

She's done good things for veterans, darn it!

 

[Qyöt27]

I probably will. Even if it's ultimately for naught, I feel some sort of obligation to my own values and intellect to at least try to keep the Tea Party from winning. It honestly looks like a setup to a rather Pyrrhic victory (or the continuing threat of such) any way you cut it. Thus my opinion of the candidates is definitely more of a 'better than that guy'* stance this time than truly being in support of my choices like I generally was in 2008.

*and I say this with general trepidation, as I do agree with the moderate position held by Crist, but not necessarily with the fiscal points.

 

[MacFall]

Good ol' boys and politics don't mix.

On the contrary, they mix perfectly.

 

[Inkachu]

Absolutely. People who refuse to be active socially and politically need to sit down and be quiet. Act or shutup. That's my motto.

 

[crishmael]

I was so eager I already did. But this part of the state is likely far too red for my choices to win. Alas, for South Texas where such things were possible.

 

[SeanRowe]

After studying history, current events, and politics throughout my 8 years of military service, I have come to the conclusion that voting for awhile now has been pointless. The Bush vs Gore election where many deciding votes were "lost/miscounted" in the state where Bush's brother was governer says it all. The fact that a Jr senator (Oboma) rose to such power with no political accomplishments whatsover says it all. There are powerful, wealthy people behind todays politics. Your vote ultimately means nothing, until we fix this corrupt system. I dont deal in conspiracy, I deal in facts.

 

[armyman_83]

Nope, never have and don't plan on ever voting.

Why?

Do you ever complain about the government? Do you want things changed?

If you don't vote, I am assuming you never argue about political changes.



It is one's civic duty to vote, or so I feel. While it is your right to not vote, it bodes ill if you then complain about the political happenings of the day. I can voice complaints because I have tried at least. People who do nothing then complain, have no ground to stand on. (not saying you complain--thus the questions).

I think its silly for people to not vote.

I vote--and I am stationed in Europe. If people thought voting was hard in the states, trying doing an Absentee ballot.

 

[SeanRowe]

At this point in time, every citizen has every right to complain, whether voting or not. Our government is filled with corrupt puppets. I don't need to vote for the right to complain, I already proved myself with 8 honorable years in the military. You may think it silly that more and more citizens are not voting, but that comment tells us that you just dont really understand today's politics.

Our country needs men to stand up against what is going on, and DEMAND change. Going to a building and punching a whole into a paper (voting) is not going to bring ANY change, unfortunately. Maybe in the idea society we once were, but all that has changed in the last thirty years.

Right now, be assured that praying is the only way you and I are going to bring peaceful change.

 

[armyman_83]

The difference between you and I is that you still think your vote will bring change.

So you opt to do nothing? Being active politically isn't just about voting. Its writing your reps and what not. Or do you propose taking up arms?

I will use every peaceful way before ever taking up arms. Though taking up arms is, indeed, an option.

 

[Inkachu]

Add up all the people who say "My one little vote won't make a difference" and you have a HUGE number of people who probably COULD make a difference if they got off their keesters and acted instead of sitting home and complaining about the country.

Is the political process perfect? HECK no. Does that mean you should sit on your butt and do nothing? HECK no.

The more people exercise their rights, the more power the people will maintain. The less people exercise their rights, the less power the people will maintain. Stop acting like this nation is a government that rules over its people, and start acting like this nation is a people who appoint their government!

Sorry, gotta get off this soapbox before I trip and fall.

 

[SeanRowe]

By the time the rest of Americans realize their vote no longer matters, it will be too late. There needs to be a revolution NOW. What will it take though...the collapse of our currency underway at this very moment? How many more companies will be outsourced, losing Americans jobs before we do something other than just "vote." Last year we only kept our right to bear arms by ONE VOTE. Will Americans stand up and fight after our arms are taken away? Or will they simply keep voting in hopes of restoring rights... We can talk about voting all we want, but the simple fact is that for more than a decade ago while we voted, basic human rights have slowly been taken away, jobs outsourced, wars of greed waged, destroying the lifes of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, their families, marriages, and here we stand....outrageously in debt as a nation, currency collapsing, working 3 jobs just to pay rent, if we can find jobs at all.....so ya'll who are voting....how's that working out for ya?

Yes, something needs done. The problem is that most of us are enslaved in the military, unable to speak out for fear of imprisonment, or enslaved as citizens working just to pay bills, unable to stop ANYTHING. We need to be talking about what we can do, united, for divided we fail.

 

[Wren]

Add up all the people who say "My one little vote won't make a difference" and you have a HUGE number of people who probably COULD make a difference if they got off their keesters and acted instead of sitting home and complaining about the country.

Is the political process perfect? HECK no. Does that mean you should sit on your butt and do nothing? HECK no.

The more people exercise their rights, the more power the people will maintain. The less people exercise their rights, the less power the people will maintain. Stop acting like this nation is a government that rules over its people, and start acting like this nation is a people who appoint their government!

Sorry, gotta get off this soapbox before I trip and fall.

I feel the same way. I may not be so optimistic about the candidates that end up on ballots and our government as it is. However, that's not going to stop me from voting. I'm not going to forfeit the little say I have in how the country is run. It frustrates me that most of my family refuses to vote because they think their vote won't matter. I might have convinced my aunt to vote, but I won't quite believe that 'til Tuesday.

 

[Qyöt27]

Or of course, exercising the right of abstention. Refusing to support people who don't deserve your vote in the first place by not voting for any of them would go a long way toward snapping the discourse back to where it should be.

Or, you know, you could always vote for Cthulhu:

 

[Im_A]

By the time the rest of Americans realize their vote no longer matters, it will be too late. There needs to be a revolution NOW. What will it take though...the collapse of our currency underway at this very moment? How many more companies will be outsourced, losing Americans jobs before we do something other than just "vote." Last year we only kept our right to bear arms by ONE VOTE. Will Americans stand up and fight after our arms are taken away? Or will they simply keep voting in hopes of restoring rights... We can talk about voting all we want, but the simple fact is that for more than a decade ago while we voted, basic human rights have slowly been taken away, jobs outsourced, wars of greed waged, destroying the lifes of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, their families, marriages, and here we stand....outrageously in debt as a nation, currency collapsing, working 3 jobs just to pay rent, if we can find jobs at all.....so ya'll who are voting....how's that working out for ya?

Yes, something needs done. The problem is that most of us are enslaved in the military, unable to speak out for fear of imprisonment, or enslaved as citizens working just to pay bills, unable to stop ANYTHING. We need to be talking about what we can do, united, for divided we fail.

Case and point above as to why I'm not politically ideal. Yet, let's play with this post shall we.

What has voting done? It has continued our government.

What would happen if no one voted? Is there any plausible scenario that you can come up with? Would it be better than what we have now?

This is the problem with the various of world views and why we as a nation will never be united. The American people is USA Tabloid. We are selfish creatures. We vote for representation for ourselves, not for the betterment of the nation. We vote on our own ideals. The issues we research we research so we can have OUR voice.

Your complaints don't mean much because you've offered no solution. Pep talks are not useful in terms of stimulating the economy, ensuring international peace and being part of that process, defending the rights that we all have.

So why ask us, when you are the one that is complaining and complaining and then you leave us with a mediocre, redundant pep talk?

 

[crishmael]

By the time the rest of Americans realize their vote no longer matters, it will be too late. There needs to be a revolution NOW. What will it take though...the collapse of our currency underway at this very moment? How many more companies will be outsourced, losing Americans jobs before we do something other than just "vote." Last year we only kept our right to bear arms by ONE VOTE. Will Americans stand up and fight after our arms are taken away? Or will they simply keep voting in hopes of restoring rights... We can talk about voting all we want, but the simple fact is that for more than a decade ago while we voted, basic human rights have slowly been taken away, jobs outsourced, wars of greed waged, destroying the lifes of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, their families, marriages, and here we stand....outrageously in debt as a nation, currency collapsing, working 3 jobs just to pay rent, if we can find jobs at all.....so ya'll who are voting....how's that working out for ya?

Yes, something needs done. The problem is that most of us are enslaved in the military, unable to speak out for fear of imprisonment, or enslaved as citizens working just to pay bills, unable to stop ANYTHING. We need to be talking about what we can do, united, for divided we fail.

YouTube - Revolution - The Beatles

 

[Apollo Celestio]

If there is an issue I support I may vote for or against it.. other than that... I have no interest in any of it. It's a waste of time.

 

[mjmcmillan]

Lester A. Tweevils or Batson D. Belfrey?

The Governors race looks to be of interest. It is said that if the Republican guy wins he is for concealed carrying of guns and repeal of most of the gun laws in this state. That could make life interesting, to say the least. He seems to be for a laundry list of far-right ideas. Now, both state legislative houses will remain firmly in Democrat and/or Moderate Republican hands, so his chances of getting such bills passed are slim at best but it still makes for an interesting race. The Democrat incumbent is favored to keep the Governor's office, but it's not guaranteed.

 

[Spirit_Star]

I will be voting specifically because there is an issue on Puppy Mills that will be on the ballot in my state. That said I do feel the government is corrupted and the only way that it could be fixed would be to tear it down and rebuild it. Have limits on how long someone can serve in the house/senate. They are the ones that have the true power yet we have people who have been in there for decades, that needs to stop. Have more equally representation no party should have vastly more control. There is way too much money spent on campaigns millions and millions are spent. A lot is donated(by the people) but honestly this is money that could go to much better use. There are people who have good ideas but just don’t have the money to spend on a lengthy campaign. 3 to 6 months would be plenty of time for a politician to lay their issues/what you support/what you plan to do on the table and let people decide who they want to vote for.

 

[Im_A]

YouTube - Revolution - The Beatles

I don't know which one is more annoying...the song, or the post you quoted.

 

[MacFall]

Absolutely. People who refuse to be active socially and politically need to sit down and be quiet. Act or shutup. That's my motto.

I consider openly declaring my refusal to participate in a political system which I find to be morally repugnant to be pretty "active". In fact, I think I accomplish more toward my goals by doing so than any 100 voters will accomplish toward theirs. And considering the gallons of venom that I have spewed at me every time I do, including from friends and family, it can hardly be considered taking the easy road.

Also, I have a bumper sticker that says "If voting changed anything, it would be illegal."