Voter participation - what is your stance?

24567

Comments

  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    ...because apathy and complacency are of an evil nature.
    Post edited by Free on
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    It's important - to me - to not equate choosing to not vote (which is yet to be decided on my part) with apathy or complacency (or ignorance).
  • JimmyVJimmyV Posts: 19,171
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    It's important - to me - to not equate choosing to not vote (which is yet to be decided on my part) with apathy or complacency (or ignorance).

    Agreed. Not knowing or caring how to even go about voting is apathy. Consciously choosing not to is not.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    Choosing to vote can very well be looked at as a choice of being a concerned citizen or the opposite - complacent about our civic duty or apathetic.
    Post edited by Free on
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Free said:

    Choosing not to vote can very well be looked at as a choice of being a concerned citizen or the opposite - complacent about our civic duty or apathetic.

    Right, but I was commenting on your post, pre-edit.

    Cheers to ya, Boston Jimmy ;)
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:


    Agreed. Not knowing or caring how to even go about voting is apathy. Consciously choosing not to is not.

    Not what I meant. I went back and edit it for further clarification. If you choose not to be a concerned citizen, you do not vote. You both are making exceptions to that rule, as if choosing not to vote is OK. It's not. You're choosing to be complacent and or apathetic.

    If you disagree fine, but it doesn't look good if you don't vote. As a citizen.
    Post edited by Free on
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Free said:


    hedonist said:


    Agreed. Not knowing or caring how to even go about voting is apathy. Consciously choosing not to is not.

    Not what I meant. I went back and edit it for further clarification. If you choose not to be a concerned citizen, you do not vote. You both are making exceptions to that rule, as if choosing not to vote is OK. It's not. You're choosing to be complacent and or apathetic.

    If you disagree fine, but it doesn't look good if you don't vote. As a citizen.
    It doesn't look good to whom? You? Others?

    Sorry, but how I reflect upon and judge myself and my conscience trumps (honestly, no pun intended) your view and that of others. Fine by me if people want to make assumptions about me and my choices, or non-choices as the case may or may not be.

    That said, and if we're being honest here, I'm prone to making assumptions about people who sweep judgments on others.

    So I get where you're coming from.
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    could
    JimmyV said:

    hedonist said:

    It's important - to me - to not equate choosing to not vote (which is yet to be decided on my part) with apathy or complacency (or ignorance).

    Agreed. Not knowing or caring how to even go about voting is apathy. Consciously choosing not to is not.
    That's called complacency
    Post edited by Free on
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Conscious choice is self-imposed ignorance?

    That statement in itself is ignorant at most, short-sighted at the least, to me. Discounting knowledge based on that choice.

    I do find some political talk enlightening but man...there comes a time to say fuck it for the time being and turn to music instead.

  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Also, I'd like to note that you changed ignorance to complacency. Still consider both BS but felt it should be acknowledged.

    Goddamn editing!
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Free said:


    hedonist said:


    Agreed. Not knowing or caring how to even go about voting is apathy. Consciously choosing not to is not.

    Not what I meant. I went back and edit it for further clarification. If you choose not to be a concerned citizen, you do not vote. You both are making exceptions to that rule, as if choosing not to vote is OK. It's not. You're choosing to be complacent and or apathetic.

    If you disagree fine, but it doesn't look good if you don't vote. As a citizen.
    It doesn't look good to whom? You? Others?

    Sorry, but how I reflect upon and judge myself and my conscience trumps (honestly, no pun intended) your view and that of others. Fine by me if people want to make assumptions about me and my choices, or non-choices as the case may or may not be.

    That said, and if we're being honest here, I'm prone to making assumptions about people who sweep judgments on others.

    So I get where you're coming from.
    It's not a personal judgment, it's as a citizen. If you don't like it look it up in a book. A book about civics.
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Also, I'd like to note that you changed ignorance to complacency. Still consider both BS but felt it should be acknowledged.

    Goddamn editing!

    Yes I did change it because I realized it was in the right way to phrase it. Willed ignorance is not the term. Complacency is.
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    Full Definition of complacency
    plural com·pla·cen·cies
    1
    : self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
    2
    : an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction

    Merriam-Webster

    Simple Definition of complacency

    : a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better : a complacent feeling or condition
    Post edited by Free on
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Thanks, I have internet access too - plus brains! Also have a pretty good grasp on language, definitions and the like. I never got the need to pull that dictionary shit, especially in a disparaging way.

    Passive-aggressive bullshit, but have at it.

    Guess I'll leave it at this. Call your shit as you see it and I'll do the same.
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,538
    Of course I vote, because...
    Its exactly why i became a citizen to exercise the right to vote !!!
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Thanks, I have internet access too - plus brains! Also have a pretty good grasp on language, definitions and the like. I never got the need to pull that dictionary shit, especially in a disparaging way.

    Passive-aggressive bullshit, but have at it.

    Guess I'll leave it at this. Call your shit as you see it and I'll do the same.

    Passive-aggressive bullshit? Not at all.
    It's called supporting my point of view with factual information.
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    Of course I vote, because...
    I think if you choose not to vote you are forfeiting your right to displeasure with the preventable consequences that will arise from an R or D getting elected. Mostly it pertains to social issues, if you have a firm opinion on issues like marriage, health care, women's rights, religion or money in politics etc.
    The 2 parties are predictable and opposite on these issues, so abstaining from voting for your side is abstaining from having a tangible and predictable effect on these issues.
    Some people are fine with ignoring those issues, I am not.
    If, say, Cruz, gets elected because people don't care for Clinton, people who abstained should abstain from voicing their opinion when predictable regressions occur.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    It is not ignorance, though. And "fact" seems to be subjective in this case.

    I'm all for supporting a view, but for someone to claim a choice I make to be drawn from a particular path or mindset? Again, I call bullshit.
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    Of course I vote, because...
    ???
    It's called Agree to disagree. No need to try to get personal.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Free said:

    ???
    It's called Agree to disagree. No need to try to get personal.

    Yeah, I said as much up there (assuming the post I'm replying to hasn't been edited in the time I'm writing).

    I didn't get personal with you but responded to your comments, so need to call that card as I don't pull that shit.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    Of course I vote, because...
    The lounge is open. Break time!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Dive, dive, live!

    And behold the gory glory of Bruce.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx59UpzsCcA
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Dive, dive, live!

    And behold the gory glory of Bruce.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx59UpzsCcA

    Imagine that dude behind the controls of a Being 757! It's true, the dude flies!

    OK, breaks over. Back on your heads! :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Yeah, he flies, and high.

    Probably shoulda put this on the lounge car but fuck it.

    Back to business, I suppose.
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Free said:

    ???
    It's called Agree to disagree. No need to try to get personal.

    Yeah, I said as much up there (assuming the post I'm replying to hasn't been edited in the time I'm writing).

    I didn't get personal with you but responded to your comments, so need to call that card as I don't pull that shit.
    What, editing to correct myself?
    Too much game playing and snarkiness. (Yeah I edit that in.) you have a good day.
    Post edited by Free on
  • Very interesting so far, thank you for commenting, folks. I was on the fence with the citizenship for a bit, but since a dual one is also possible (with a little more bureaucracy) I'm probably gonna go for it (and hoping that I will be fine with the tests and fees etc.). Yes, also because of the right to vote. If I have my permanent place of living here, I want to participate in that kind of stuff as well.
    Of course everybody has the freedom to choose if they want to vote or not. I just found it interesting to hear from people who completely categorically stay out. Even if it is, like someone above said, just a little part of the whole political process.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Leeze, I'm just not a categorical kind of person, on any level.

    Nor am I snarky.

    No room for that shit up in here.

    And...along with the right to vote - which I value, quite highly - so do I embrace the right not to.
  • JC29856JC29856 Posts: 9,617

    The two party system often creates a set of choices neither of which appeal to me. By not voting in that situation, that's my voice & vote. I'm not going to vote for a lesser of two evils just because I'm able to.

    To simply say "if you don't vote, you don't get to complain" or "your opinion isn't credible" is not a valid argument at all. It's a right, not an obligation. If I choose not to exercise that right, there's obviously valid reason(s) why.

    Personally I think uneducated voting, or party-line voting is more detrimental than not voting for one of two choices you don't agree with.

    Jill Stein?
  • Leezestarr313Leezestarr313 Posts: 14,352
    edited February 2016
    Hedo, I was not referring to anyone in here :) I meant people I know from real life. And like I said, I was just interested in general. I did not want to offend anyone.
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,592
    edited February 2016
    Of course I vote, because...
    Free said:

    hedonist said:

    Also, I'd like to note that you changed ignorance to complacency. Still consider both BS but felt it should be acknowledged.

    Goddamn editing!

    Yes I did change it because I realized it was in the right way to phrase it. Willed ignorance is not the term. Complacency is.
    Free said:

    Full Definition of complacency
    plural com·pla·cen·cies
    1
    : self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
    2
    : an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction

    Merriam-Webster

    Simple Definition of complacency

    : a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better : a complacent feeling or condition

    No, Not the right term. Any decision consciously made is neither complacent nor ignorant.

    Personally i believe all should participate. Frankly the local and state elections are more likely to effect change. While I would encourage others to participate NOT voting IS making a statement as well. However it becomes ambiguous as to what exatly that statement is.

    choosing to not participate because "my vote doesnt count" IS willful ignorance.

    I should think that those who make such a decision , its not done lightly nor do I believe any self satisfaction would be derived.
    Post edited by mickeyrat on
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Sign In or Register to comment.