Do you vote?

[Zen Toombs]

Gah, thank you for reminding me that I still need to register to vote.

[small]I'm only two years late...[/small]

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

Voted in the last 2 parliamentary elections and the presidential election here in Finland. Probably helped that there were quite a few at least decent choices (except for the Perussuomalaiset, god no)

Perussu-whats? Please Explain!

 

[ImperialSunlight]

I live in Canada and I cannot vote yet but I plan to. I think it's somewhat of a responsibility. If you want to live in a democratic society, at least take part in it.

 

[Deathmageddon]

I was in a conversation with a classmate the other day who proudly proclaimed that they don't vote and have no intention of ever voting. I was kinda baffled by this so I asked why. Their response was something along the lines of "all my choices are shit, I'll vote when someone good comes along".

Did you hear the president's State of the Union address? Here's what he had to say:

"Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we?re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren?t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded. We can do this. I know we can, because we?ve done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known." - President Obama, 2012

That's all he had to say on it. Imagine a good America; those guys in the 1950's created one.
No accomplishments, no plan for the future. Just a bizarre pep speech to motivate SOMEONE ELSE to get on the ball and, you know, fix stuff.

Read the 1950 State of the Union address [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=13567#axzz1kvbJrO60]. It is freaking awesome.

Totally agree. That wasn't a State of the Union Address, it was a list of anything that sounds good. I can't believe anyone voted for him...

 

[Zyxx]

I normally do, or try to anyway. I fully recognize that it's a futile gesture, but maybe I'll hit that .00000000001% chance that I'll help avert the greater stupidity from getting into office.

I didn't vote last time, but that was circumstantial: I had registered in the town where I went to school, then my best friend's mom died and I decided going home to check on him was more important.

This time around, I'm trying to leave the country before election day, because this next US election is going to be a shitstorm and I don't want to deal with it. I can't save the country: I need to save myself.
If I do wind up voting... frankly, at this point, I think I'll just write in "Twilight Sparkle" because a cartoon pony is a measurably better option than any of the potential candidates being considered right now.

 

[wolf92]

I live in America, and I vote. My mom stressed the fact, because we're an African American family, and voting is kind of a big deal for us.

 

[PieceOfEden]

I don't vote. Why? Because the current government has kept many citizens as uneducated as possible, allowing them to rest solely on the fact that they "stopped racism and Apartheid". For 18 years!!

[/quote]By not voting they are making a statement that they don't identify with any of the candidates, they don't see themselves being represented. That's a pretty big deal in a "representative democracy" I think they are doing the right thing by not voting.

So I think you're fundamentally wrong to say not voting means you're satisfied with the way things are.[/quote]

Well said good sir

 

[Suicidejim]

I don't vote, because I'm an idiot. I have an incredibly vague and inaccurate knowledge of economics, foreign policy, etc., and very little motivation to educate myself, so I choose not to vote. Surely that's a better choice than voting impulsively for the guy you think sounds more impressive, simply because everyone told you that you had to vote.

EDIT: Should also probably point out that I don't vote because I cannot legally do so, not being a citizen of Canada. It's usually a faster and less debatable excuse when people bring up politics.

 

[MetalMagpie]

By not voting they are making a statement that they don't identify with any of the candidates, they don't see themselves being represented. That's a pretty big deal in a "representative democracy" I think they are doing the right thing by not voting.

So I think you're fundamentally wrong to say not voting means you're satisfied with the way things are.

My father said to me when I was young that you should always go to cast a vote, even if you only write "balls" on the ballot paper. Because (in the UK at least) even a defaced ballot paper gets counted. So defacing a ballot paper is the democratic way of showing that you do care who runs your country, but don't like any of the candidates you're being offered.

Not turning up at all does nothing but help the case of politicians who like to argue that there's no point in having referendums, because not enough people turn out to vote.

 

[Agayek]

I don't bother to vote because I've never yet seen a candidate, for anything, that supports, or at least pays lip service, to my political values. It's very much like that South Park episode where one has to choose between a douche and a turd sandwich. Either way, I don't get what I want, so why the fuck bother?

That said, if Ron Paul wins the Republican nomination, I will definitely be voting. He's the closest candidate I'm ever likely to get to my political views.

 

[Mariakko]

I would but I'm too young, Have to wait another 4 years...

 

[Davatehi]

Since I don't care much for politics I have made the voting into a game of luck. I take a ballot paper for each party and then turn them over, shuffle, draw one and put it in the envelope without looking which one I picked. I find that much more entertaining than to not vote at all.

 

[Subbies]

I'm Swiss, we vote on something every 2 months

 

[Marcus Kehoe]

I really just don't care too much about politics, I don't believe that many of them have our best interest at hearts and the ones that do eventually falter. SO I don't care about politicians, because I know no matter who I vote for if the government whants something it will happen.

 

[Macgyvercas]

As a good friend of mine once said, "Voting gives you bitching rights. If you don't vote, don't complain."

Hence, I do vote.

 

[Monkeyman O'Brien]

Nope. Because all my options are complete and utter cunts. If I vote for one of them then I am giving them my support. I would rather they all just die in a gigantic fire.

 

[jdun]

I grew up watching the shit storm that Florida made during the Bush/Gore election. I argued with my parents that Bush should be elected because he didn't win the popular vote. As in more people voted for Gore, but because Bush won the electoral vote he got into office.

I still vote, because while I find many aspects of this country disgusting I am still one of its citizens and should do my duty as an American.

Besides I have no right to ***** about a president, when I never voted in their election.

You should be proud. Not much people understand the electoral process, the constitution, and the founding fathers intent.

 

[jdun]

If you don't vote, YOU are the problem. Not the politicians, not the special interest groups and not the lobbyists, YOU. You're the reason my generation constantly gets crapped on by policy makers. You're the reason OWS is laughed at by congressmen. You're the reason why I have to pay for tax breaks for hedge fund managers. It's your fault my country is fubar, no one else's.

Stop whining, stop playing the victim, stop being a narcissistic prick, and just go vote. Get your whiny narcissistic friends to vote too.

Do you know why government works for old people and not young people? They vote.

We could be a powerful voting block. We could get our voices heard. Want a more equitable distribution of funds for primary education? Vote. Want more government assistance for higher ed programs? Vote. Complaining gets you nothing.

Obama is pro college. McCain less so. Would things be better for college kids under McCain? Sometimes it's not the voting it's the candidates that represent your values. Besides, I foresee a lot of spending cuts in the future assuming Obama isn't elected again. The next few years won't be the greatest for college students. Besides there are bigger problems. Trillions in debt and people want more spending while reducing the deficit?

You do know that going to college make you a government slave forever. Not only that college degree worth less and less in the real world.

What is the cost of getting a four years degree? 200k? You'll be in debt for the rest of your life to the government. There are only two things that you can't default/bankrupt on in the USA. Student loans and taxes. Both paid to the government.

Today college isn't about learning or getting a good education. It's about convincing young stupid kids into spending money that they don't have. Getting them in debt for the rest of their live with useless degrees.

Check netflix, there are documentaries about today college.

 

[jdun]

Let's see; 3 parties, one of whom is never capable of winning and has now denigrated themselves as the nation's Judas, so that leaves me with the Conservatives and Labour. I'm sure to be rewarded with incompetence abound with either choice, but at least given my general centre left leanings, I'll find the latter a hell of a lot more palatable.

What's keeping you from voting Lib Dem? We've already covered earlier in the thread how you don't vote for a party in the UK, you vote for your MP, so it depends where you live for the Lib Dems to have a chance of 'winning'. If everyone who could elect a Lib Dem MP did so there'd probably be over 100 of them.

I saw Obama's socialism immediately and my parents didn't listen to me.

I don't know if you're just trolling mate, but Obama socialist? Please.

Not everyone understood what his spending plans were when he was campaigning.

High spending does not a socialist make. GW Bush was one of the highest spending presidents of the modern era.

Compare to GW, Obama make him look like a child with pennies. Obama spend the most money of any Presidents.

 

[jdun]

Sir, you are so ill informed about the nature of the welfare state, the problems of lopsided economies and their social effects, what socialism is, and the problems affecting Greece (I mean more than just reading a newspaper once in a while), that it is difficult to know where to begin correcting the flaws in your knowledge and logic.

Typical Americans eh? Now I will prepare for a deluge of abuse.

Deluge of abuse? Nope, I'm a very nice person if your were to ever meet me. I'm talking about how Obama wants to increase spending when it can't be sustained. I'm not privy to British politics. My problem is just with Obama's increased spending during a recession while America is in deep debt. A country can keep on affording to spend on welfare but that doesn't fix the problem. Welfare is a short term solution for someone without the means to care for themselves. Long term solutions should be a nations goal rather than paying for everything.

The Europeans are broke. So broke that they will probably go 3rd world. That's what happen when no one produce wealth and everybody spending money like drunken sailors.