Why do you vote?

unsung wrote:

If you don't vote you shouldn't complain.

I guess it's a first... for once I agree with you. You don't vote, you lose your voice. No complaining about what the government is doing/not doing. No complaining about the healthcare system, benefits, etc. NO VOICE.

inmytree wrote:

wow...folks are actually arguing against voting... :crazy:

amazing...

lol, yeah...

no term limits, lets make a socialist communist facist government while we are at it.... or even better, a dictatorship or even a monarchy :roll:

i can understand and even respect voting against someone or staying home because you don't like your choices, but i can't believe that people are arguing against voting on laws and propositions as well...

I vote because it gives me an excuse to leave work early. They also give out cool stickers that let everyone know you voted and that you care. :thumbup:

It also allows me to have influence over what policymakers are in charge. This is most important for local and state elections where my vote actually counts a lot more since some positions only get around 5,000 total votes.

ed243421 wrote:

redrock wrote:

unsung wrote:

If you don't vote you shouldn't complain.

I guess it's a first... for once I agree with you. You don't vote, you lose your voice. No complaining about what the government is doing/not doing. No complaining about the healthcare system, benefits, etc. NO VOICE.

and of course
i do not agree with unsung

i can
and
i will
complain about whatever i want to
while not voting for this corrupt system
it's my right
i vote by not voting
i believe half of this nation does this
why do you think we don't vote?
it's meaningless
it's a bone they threw us
that has no meat
and maybe someday when the number of non-voters,
sickened by this political system reaches 70%, 80%, 90%
our right-to-not-vote will change this pathetic game

ed, on a side note, I bought your avatar for $37.50 today. You can have it back for $50. :wave:

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

you have a right not to vote.
and you have a right to vote.
i choose to use my right to vote to try to influence who does and does not get the positions where they represent me. i also choose to vote for and against issues. to me issues are just as important or more important than the people representing me.

also, which of you would still not vote if a local tax increase for schools or roads or sewers were on the ballot? what about a tax increase to raise the pay of police officers and emts and fire fighters? or a bond issue or a law banning smoking in public places or gay marriage?? based on what is posted here i would think that many of you would care about some of these issues for one reason or another...

I don't have any problem voting for or against issues. It's voting for PEOPLE that I usually abstain from.

And for the record, I'd vote against any tax increases. No questions asked.

know1 wrote:

inmytree wrote:

wow...folks are actually arguing against voting... :crazy:

amazing...

Sometimes you have to think outside the box and not cling to outdated methodologies in a close minded fashion...

so how would you fix the problem if you took away voting for people to represent you?

how would you overhaul the system?

what is the replacement for outdated methodologies?

if you took away voting for people you would turn the entire structure of the government, this republic, on it's ear.

please enlighten me...

ed243421 wrote:

unsung wrote:

If you don't vote you shouldn't complain.

and of course
i do not agree with unsung

i can
and
i will
complain about whatever i want to
while not voting for this corrupt system
it's my right
i vote by not voting
i believe half of this nation does this
why do you think we don't vote?
it's meaningless
it's a bone they threw us
that has no meat
and maybe someday when the number of non-voters,
sickened by this political system reaches 70%, 80%, 90%
our right-to-not-vote will change this pathetic game

But, but, but, but my feelings are so hurt!!

You complain about this two party system yet you don't seem to want to do much to change it. So instead of jumping on a music message board why don't you stump for a worthwhile 3rd party? Is that a wasted vote? I think not. I voted 3rd party for President in 2008 because I'd never be able to look at myself in the mirror if I had voted for Obama or McCain.

On a side note please consider changing your odd style of typing, it is a bit painful to read. No offense but punctuation is also worthwhile.

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

know1 wrote:

inmytree wrote:

wow...folks are actually arguing against voting... :crazy:

amazing...

Sometimes you have to think outside the box and not cling to outdated methodologies in a close minded fashion...

so how would you fix the problem if you took away voting for people to represent you?

how would you overhaul the system?

what is the replacement for outdated methodologies?

if you took away voting for people you would turn the entire structure of the government, this republic, on it's ear.

please enlighten me...

I'd love to be enlightened too...

show us the light, no1....

pjhawks wrote:

I vote because to not to is to disrespect those who fought and died to give us that right. Also women and blacks who don't vote disrespect those who fought and went through real oppression to get you that right. Might sound like over-dramatizing it but it is true and it is real. Maybe my vote makes very little difference, but taking 10 to 20 minutes 2 times a year to honor those who REALLY (as opposed to the so-called fighting for our freedom today) fought for our freedom is not too much to ask for.

aah the guilt trip approach.

I can't speak for others as I haven't exactly stated what some others have, but I'll offer my opinion.

In sum (the short version), as long as people continue to vote for only the 2 major parties and do not have continual participation and force representatives to hear and follow their voice, voting is meaningless. Without these two actions, it doesn't matter what party or which official is elected to government. The constant and impenetrable private interests and lobbying machine will never change otherwise, and as time goes on, the noose grows tighter as does the reach and breathe of their capabilities. Also, it'd be silly not to mention the media and public relations role in our society as they distract, polarize and dumb down everyone (as a whole) which merely feeds the system further and build disinterest and empathy. Also, and more of a side-note but still relevant is the fact that our voting system is skewed. Each vote is not equal and as we clearly see now, the system can be corrupted (which is a totally separate discussion in itself). But all in all, this is why voting is nothing more than a morally good, yet meaningless act nowadays. How do you change it? Participation and stop backing the groups who further the system as it is... ie, the political parties, the private industries, etc. Lastly, simply voting (no matter who you vote for) does not constitute fixing the system, society or anything similar. We have a society which only roughly 1/2 of the eligible voting population votes in major elections and even less in other elections. The constant participation and engagement is more necessary than simply pressing a button every so often on election day. When those things change, we'll see results. Perhaps this isn't the answer or result you were looking for, but it's the only practical and realistic way for things like voting to actually make a lick of difference in our nation. And with that said, I don't expect it anytime if at all.

Jeanwah wrote:

I would like to hear some solutions, also, from the OP and everyone else here who agree that voting solves nothing...