voting vs. non-voting
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
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voting vs. non-voting
A non-vote is a meaningful representation of one's political views as any vote. When you don't vote, you vote for 'no one'.
Though I know many won't share this perspective on the matter (big surprise), I am inclined to say this anyway.
These ads you hear about as many people should vote as possible, etc. trying to increase numbers - it is a meaningless procedure. BTW, 1/2 of the eligible voters thinks this way too. I think non-voting is more meaningful. Voting legitimizes a predetermined outcome.
P.S. Don't prompt me to comment any further, I've said all I can on this matter.
Though I know many won't share this perspective on the matter (big surprise), I am inclined to say this anyway.
These ads you hear about as many people should vote as possible, etc. trying to increase numbers - it is a meaningless procedure. BTW, 1/2 of the eligible voters thinks this way too. I think non-voting is more meaningful. Voting legitimizes a predetermined outcome.
P.S. Don't prompt me to comment any further, I've said all I can on this matter.
Last edited by carpe_diem; Apr 3, 2004 at 09:13 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
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From: Enjoying the real world.
I think non-voting equates to laziness or stupidity. There is always an opportunity to speak at the ballot box, just write in a name. I believe its my civic duty to vote, just as I believe its unethical to try to get out of jury duty. 
The ads you hear are to increase certain voting blocks. For instance, MTV pushes get out the vote, but what they don't say is that MTV has typically supported issues on the left and the younger less politically informed voters tend to vote on the left.
The ads you hear are to increase certain voting blocks. For instance, MTV pushes get out the vote, but what they don't say is that MTV has typically supported issues on the left and the younger less politically informed voters tend to vote on the left.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 279
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From: northern Ky
Hmmm, I'm kind of halfway between you two guys on that one. Those who don't vote need to be made to feel guilty about it a little I guess, but I think a vote from someone who isn't interested in what's going on is worse than not voting at all.
I think all aged voters, not just the younger ones, tend to vote left if they're uninformed. It bothers me when well funded Democrat activists go into the inner cities and recruit voters.
I think our system of voting is working okay. Usually polls taken shortly before an election represent how the voters will vote. If the polls mostly reflect how the voters feel, then voters mostly reflect how all the non voters feel.
marc
I think all aged voters, not just the younger ones, tend to vote left if they're uninformed. It bothers me when well funded Democrat activists go into the inner cities and recruit voters.
I think our system of voting is working okay. Usually polls taken shortly before an election represent how the voters will vote. If the polls mostly reflect how the voters feel, then voters mostly reflect how all the non voters feel.
marc
FIX YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!
Joined: May 2002
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From: Central U.S
I believe that if a person really dosen't know the issues or much of anything about the people thier voting for, we would all be better off if they didn't vote at all. But if you really do know what your voting for or against then you really should vote for the GOOD of all. It's the only voice that "We The People" have.
JMO.
JMO.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 468
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From: Rochester NY
I don't like either candidate, neither is worthy of my vote, but I'll just pick a meaningless third party and "throw my vote away" but at least I'll slep better knowing that I cast a vote, too many men have died over the last 200 some years for me to be able to. I feel I owe it to them to at least show up in November.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 766
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From: Lakeville USA
Voting 3rd party is NOT throwing away your vote by any means. Any votes they recieve will help them in the next years election with more allocation of campaigning finds to their party. This is a good thing. Vote your hopes not your fears.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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If you don't agree with what any of the candidates say, then don't vote. That's my opinion. Noone will ever win by writing someones name in. It will always be won by the main republican or the main democratic candidates. Maybe sometime far from now a third party candidate will win. As we all know, it's all about money. The richer candidates can advertise and travel. So, as far as the common man who doesn't pay attention to this stuff (the vast majority) is concerned, there are only two candidates by voting time because these are the two candidates that he can't possibly avoid hearing about.
So, I would much rather have all of the uninformed or indifferent people not vote instead of screwing things up. They end up cancelling out the votes of the informed people.
I also agree that the majority of the uniformed and young people vote towards the left. It is unfair to the republicans when these people who don't know anything vote. I know that not all young people are uninformed, but the main reason they go left is because (as much as they would like to think they have) they haven't entered the real world. They don't know how money, business, and jobs work.
(I am a young person)
So, I would much rather have all of the uninformed or indifferent people not vote instead of screwing things up. They end up cancelling out the votes of the informed people.
I also agree that the majority of the uniformed and young people vote towards the left. It is unfair to the republicans when these people who don't know anything vote. I know that not all young people are uninformed, but the main reason they go left is because (as much as they would like to think they have) they haven't entered the real world. They don't know how money, business, and jobs work.
(I am a young person)
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From: South Texas
In defense of non-voters-
I've never once voted. I don't believe myself to be ignorant or lazy. I do however, recognize that I do not follow politics enough to make an informed decision. Many people don't. I feel that if I went down and cast a vote anyway, I would hinder more than help. Many people do follow what is going on and feel very deeply about the issues and truly want their vote to make a difference. If I went down and voted eeny-meeny-miney-mo, would'nt that cancel out the guy that is truly trying to make a difference? I am very patriotic, love this country, but as with any other topic, I keep my mouth shut until I know what I'm talking about. It might help if more people would do the same.
One of these days, I will feel strongly about a candidate and what he stands for, and I will go cast my vote. Until then, I think that I am helping more by not muddying up the water by casting uninformed votes.
And FWIW- taking this stance, I feel it negates my right to b**ch about the president. I do know that since my .02 doesn't get thrown into the pot, I have to suck it up when I don't like the way things are going.
I've never once voted. I don't believe myself to be ignorant or lazy. I do however, recognize that I do not follow politics enough to make an informed decision. Many people don't. I feel that if I went down and cast a vote anyway, I would hinder more than help. Many people do follow what is going on and feel very deeply about the issues and truly want their vote to make a difference. If I went down and voted eeny-meeny-miney-mo, would'nt that cancel out the guy that is truly trying to make a difference? I am very patriotic, love this country, but as with any other topic, I keep my mouth shut until I know what I'm talking about. It might help if more people would do the same.
One of these days, I will feel strongly about a candidate and what he stands for, and I will go cast my vote. Until then, I think that I am helping more by not muddying up the water by casting uninformed votes.
And FWIW- taking this stance, I feel it negates my right to b**ch about the president. I do know that since my .02 doesn't get thrown into the pot, I have to suck it up when I don't like the way things are going.
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