Why do you care?

saveuplife

I'm sure you know this, but your vote is pretty much meaningless. The chance that your vote will mean anything in this upcoming election is much less than the chance that these scientists are going to get the earth sucked into a blackhole on Wednesday (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/08/lhc.collider/index.html).

So, why do you vote, when your vote means next to nothing?

Why do you care, when the reality is that the policies of either McCain or Obama will be somewhat similar?

Why are we as citizens so focused on federal elections (where are vote means very little) rather than local elections (where are vote actually matters)?

inmytree

saveuplife wrote:

I'm sure you know this, but your vote is pretty much meaningless. The chance that your vote will mean anything in this upcoming election is much less than the chance that these scientists are going to get the earth sucked into a blackhole on Wednesday (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/08/lhc.collider/index.html).

So, why do you vote, when your vote means next to nothing?

Why do you care, when the reality is that the policies of either McCain or Obama will be somewhat similar?

Why are we as citizens so focused on federal elections (where are vote means very little) rather than local elections (where are vote actually matters)?

so, if no one shows up to vote...what happens...?

saveuplife

inmytree wrote:

so, if no one shows up to vote...what happens...?

Good question. I don't know.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

because people like to think they make a difference on a national level. like everyone wants to be a rockstar.

you're right, local and state is more important to you personally, and you actually have some small say. honestly, since i've started concentrating on changing my own life and my immediate surroundings, my life is much better. i used to get caught up in this national stuff, but i dont have that kind of power to change it. i live in Texas. its going red no matter what.

RainDog

inmytree wrote:

so, if no one shows up to vote...what happens...?

Someone will, and that's all that matters. I imagine that if there are absolutely 0 votes (not even the candidates themselves), then the vote would fall on the House of Representatives, but I could be wrong.

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed a lot of conservatives posting on what they believe to be "liberal" message boards with words like "why should we vote, it doesn't matter" or "aw hell, they're both the same anyway, why not stay home" and sundry other attempts at what I consider legal "voter suppression" of a sort. Just thought I'd point that out.

mammasan

saveuplife wrote:

I'm sure you know this, but your vote is pretty much meaningless. The chance that your vote will mean anything in this upcoming election is much less than the chance that these scientists are going to get the earth sucked into a blackhole on Wednesday (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/08/lhc.collider/index.html).

So, why do you vote, when your vote means next to nothing?

Why do you care, when the reality is that the policies of either McCain or Obama will be somewhat similar?

Why are we as citizens so focused on federal elections (where are vote means very little) rather than local elections (where are vote actually matters)?

Our vote means very little in local elections as well. The federal government is ever expanding and have gone far beyond encroaching on state's rights. So even with more impact on elections on a more local level the outcome is meaningless because of the vast powers of the federal government.

mammasan

inmytree wrote:

so, if no one shows up to vote...what happens...?

If no one turns out to vote on election day, or if no candidate receives the 270 electoral votes need to win the presidency, then the House of Representatives votes in the presidential campaign and the Senate for the Vice Presidency.

RainDog

mammasan wrote:

the electoral college will still vote on December 15th and elect our next president for us.

Where would the electors come from, though? Governor's appointment?

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

RainDog wrote:

Where would the electors come from, though? Governor's appointment?

they arent bound by the popular vote at all. they just do it to humor us i guess.

cincybearcat

RainDog wrote:

Someone will, and that's all that matters. I imagine that if there are absolutely 0 votes (not even the candidates themselves), then the vote would fall on the House of Representatives, but I could be wrong.

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed a lot of conservatives posting on what they believe to be "liberal" message boards with words like "why should we vote, it doesn't matter" or "aw hell, they're both the same anyway, why not stay home" and sundry other attempts at what I consider legal "voter suppression" of a sort. Just thought I'd point that out.

another conspiracy nut?

You know, I'd say I've seen more of the far left people here posting that than any conservatives...

Pacomc79

Local elections are frequent and a chore.

National Elections are a big deal a lot more interesting and you get to root for a team essentially and have some solidarity with other people.

It's a big deal so more people want to be a part of it, there is always more voter turn out in a presidential election. Especially in this one which is sort of groundbreaking.

It's a little sad that the federal government is so important to people while neglecting state and local now, but thats what it is.

I almost guarentee record numbers in this one. Especially new voters.

RainDog

cincybearcat wrote:

another conspiracy nut?

You know, I'd say I've seen more of the far left people here posting that than any conservatives...

I didn't mean just here. As for the far left people, they're usually promoting a third party candidate. I don't see any conservatives pushing for Bob Barr.

It's not really a conspiracy, though. People do it all the time, and in every election. The internet simply makes it more "personal" - like having a conversation with a talking political flyer.

cincybearcat

RainDog wrote:

I didn't mean just here. As for the far left people, they're usually promoting a third party candidate. I don't see any conservatives pushing for Bob Barr.

It's not really a conspiracy, though. People do it all the time, and in every election. The internet simply makes it more "personal" - like having a conversation with a talking political flyer.

You know what...if someone is going to let someone on a message board determine a) if they should bother to vote and/or b) who to vote for...then I hope that they do stay home and don;t vote.

Pacomc79

RainDog wrote:

I didn't mean just here. As for the far left people, they're usually promoting a third party candidate. I don't see any conservatives pushing for Bob Barr.

It's not really a conspiracy, though. People do it all the time, and in every election. The internet simply makes it more "personal" - like having a conversation with a talking political flyer.

Bob Barr is a freaking idiot though. That was the worst pick ever by the Libertarian Party.

The majority of people don't vote on issues despite what they say and then slightly smaller groups vote on single issues. Very few people vote 3rd parties so most anyone pushing for a 3rd party is doing so because of their own ideals. I respect that. It's not going to have a huge effect in the long run and it certainly wasn't the reason Gore lost. Gore wasn't liked. Neither was Kerry. Neither was Bush by a lot of people but he was boosted by single issue religious voters and the bulk of republicans who tow the party line. Neither one had the personality to win an election. Obama does. No new voters were coming out to vote for those guys, because they had no panache, they had no real style or gravitas. Many people voting for Obama are voting more for the idea that is Obama than issues really. They've made up an opinion about the man, the rest is gravy and honestly, seeing as how elections are largely built on jokes of promises, makes sense really.

Hey man I've talked until I was blue in the face with conservative people. They are not interested in tax reform shrinking the size of federal government or hearing how the republicans have repeatedly failed in the ideals they espouse. They are voting for "this guy" because he's going to be better than "that guy" after all. Undecided voters simply make up thier mind on a whim of how they feel on a particular day.

If people really and truely enmass gave a shit about issues, we'd never have canidates like this.

RainDog

cincybearcat wrote:

You know what...if someone is going to let someone on a message board determine a) if they should bother to vote and/or b) who to vote for...then I hope that they do stay home and don;t vote.

When people talk to each other about politics, sometimes minds are changed; and message boards can be like any other conversation.

Everyone has an opinion on who should and shouldn't vote - and reducing the number of people you don't want to vote is a very old tactic, and has it's legal, illegal, and grey-area "unethical" methods. Attack ads are a good example of the legal (and sometimes unethical) type. They're not necessarily useful in drawing new voters to your side, but they're great for convincing people not to vote for the other side. The same goes for increasing voter apathy, which is what the thread starter was trying to do.

catch22

saveuplife wrote:

I'm sure you know this, but your vote is pretty much meaningless. The chance that your vote will mean anything in this upcoming election is much less than the chance that these scientists are going to get the earth sucked into a blackhole on Wednesday (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/08/lhc.collider/index.html).

So, why do you vote, when your vote means next to nothing?

Why do you care, when the reality is that the policies of either McCain or Obama will be somewhat similar?

Why are we as citizens so focused on federal elections (where are vote means very little) rather than local elections (where are vote actually matters)?

i vote in a swing state in a section of the state that can (statistically) make the difference between sending that state one way or the other. in 04, both candidates were coming through my town on a regular basis.

so comparatively, my vote stands a better chance than most.

thus my shame and guilt over not only voting for nader in 2000, but actively campaigning for him and trying to push people to vote for him instead of gore. that was fucking stupid.

Strangest Tribe

saveuplife wrote:

I'm sure you know this, but your vote is pretty much meaningless. The chance that your vote will mean anything in this upcoming election is much less than the chance that these scientists are going to get the earth sucked into a blackhole on Wednesday (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/08/lhc.collider/index.html).

So, why do you vote, when your vote means next to nothing?

Why do you care, when the reality is that the policies of either McCain or Obama will be somewhat similar?

Why are we as citizens so focused on federal elections (where are vote means very little) rather than local elections (where are vote actually matters)?

If you don't vote then any future complaint about the system has no cred.

If everybody in this nation voted things would be different.

cincybearcat

RainDog wrote:

When people talk to each other about politics, sometimes minds are changed; and message boards can be like any other conversation.

I think you know what I meant.

saveuplife

RainDog wrote:

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed a lot of conservatives posting on what they believe to be "liberal" message boards with words like "why should we vote, it doesn't matter" or "aw hell, they're both the same anyway, why not stay home" and sundry other attempts at what I consider legal "voter suppression" of a sort. Just thought I'd point that out.

You got me. I'm trying to alter the election by posting a sincere question on a pearl jam message board. I figured I'd get about 100 people (max) to read it and then change their minds about voting. And I would've gotten away with it to, if it wasn't for you. Darnit.

OneLove

I hear that arguement alot, and I can't say I understand that level of apathy....but to each his own.

I personally vote in all local/state and national elections... I think it is imperative.

Some people seem to think that by not voting they are somehow "taking a stand" against the political machine. The truth is the only message that sends to those who run for public office is that no one will hold them accountable, no one is paying attention. That is NOT the message I would want to send.

Enkidu

I vote because I think it's my responsiblity as a citizen.

And I think there are big differences between these particular candidates - global warming, reproductive choice, etc. And as the mother of a teen-aged son, after 8 years of a warmongering administration, I'm not anxious for 4 more years of war war war.