question about voting in the US

[Shuddhasattva]

The god that failed.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Revoltingest

I stand up for the right of people to be disenfranchised.

But why? What is the point?

If people choose not to use their electoral voice... This gives them power...how?

I'm sure this gives you some sort of satisfaction, but I can't say I understand the source for it.

I support everyone's right to carp about politics, whether the vote or not.

They're free to carp all they want. If they are citizens, 18 years or older, and didn't bother to vote, I'm free to not take their carping at all seiously.

[ScottySatan]

Originally Posted by Reverend Richard

It doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican, you should still make the effort to vote. If you didn't bother to vote, then you don't have the right to complain about who was elected.

This isn't the first time I've heard this. You have a good point within the usual confines of the two US party elections. But there are a lot of exceptions. Maybe you didn't like any of the candidates. Maybe you're a libertarian and your party didn't have a runner in the race. Maybe you're an anarchist. All those folks can not vote and still complain.

All that aside, I think it's very telling that so few people turn up for elections, even for president. It means that there is a huge part of the population that don't consider it important enough to make the minuscule effort of going down to the library and filling out a ballot. Not important. The obvious followup question is "why?".

The logically simplest solution is that people don't vote because it really isn't important. Probably not because the government is unimportant, but because radicals don't get elected. Both candidates will make a whole bunch of changes that will make most Americans lives and ideals not change at all.

I could almost argue that the people who didn't vote outnumber the people that voted for any particular president, and therefore the popular vote is a president-less America. The majority are being oppressed.

[Revoltingest]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

But why? What is the point?

Some people don't want to vote.
Others want to fine people who don't vote.
I see no point in forcing people to vote under threat of force.

If people choose not to use their electoral voice... This gives them power...how?

They register their opinion that it's not worth their time to vote, or that to vote for the candidates presented is wrong.
It ain't much power, but neither is voting.

I'm sure this gives you some sort of satisfaction, but I can't say I understand the source for it.
They're free to carp all they want. If they are citizens, 18 years or older, and didn't bother to vote, I'm free to not take their carping at all seiously.

I only say that people may make the choices they want.
I throw away my vote on Libertarians, & get criticized for not voting for someone with a real chance of winning.
So I'm OK with people who don't vote at all. Power? Nah. I just do it cuz I want to.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Revoltingest

Some people don't want to vote.
Others want to fine people who don't vote.
I see no point in forcing people to vote under threat of force.

No one is forced to do anything. It is more like encouraging people to use their rights.

They have the right to ignore their right to vote. I just think that is detrimental for people to do so. But they certainly have the right.

But you know... Personally, I feel like if they didn't make the effort to go to pull a lever, I don't want to hear their complaints about politics that they don't like.

It's not a "right" thing, even though I said "they don't have a right to complain." It's more like, "I have the right to try to change things. I'm not gonna, you can't make me, and I don't like the results" thing that bothers me.

Yeah, people have the right to do that. Will I care to listen to them complain when they can't take the time? No.

They register their opinion that it's not worth their time to vote, or that to vote for the candidates presented is wrong.

Eh. They could always write in someone they DO like.

It ain't much power, but neither is voting.

I heard that one Presidential election was actually won by one vote. It isn't a LOT of power, but is our RIGHT, and PRIVILEGE. If people choose not to take advantage of that right, it is really their loss.

I only say that people may make the choices they want.
I throw away my vote on Libertarians, & get criticized for not voting for someone with a real chance of winning.
So I'm OK with people who don't vote at all. Power? Nah. I just do it cuz I want to.

Okay.

I know personally lots of people who don't vote. I don't think they're bad people.

I also don't spend a lot of time talking politics with them, either.

[Reverend Richard]

Originally Posted by ScottySatan

........Maybe you didn't like any of the candidates. Maybe you're a libertarian and your party didn't have a runner in the race. Maybe you're an anarchist. All those folks can not vote and still complain.

I don't like any of the candidates, but I will still vote for the one who might inflict the less damage. Actually a libertarian or an anarchist can vote, but they are limited to the candidates on the ballot. Alternatively, U.S. election laws do allow for "write-in" candidates for those whose names does not appear on the printed or electronic ballot, but you would need to check you local polling laws for the legal process.

Originally Posted by ScottySatan

I could almost argue that the people who didn't vote outnumber the people that voted for any particular president, and therefore the popular vote is a president-less America. The majority are being oppressed.

The majority have chosen to be oppressed by exercising their right to not vote. As you mentioned, the number of people who do not vote outnumber those who do. I see this "silent majority" (those who do not vote) as socio-political ballast. They maintain some social and political stability in this country by not being vocal or politically active. Otherwise, in todays polarized conservative vs. liberal environment, can you imagine what might happen if 100% of the eligible voters in the U.S. decided to become politically active? We could end up with fighting in the street, especially over issues like abortion, gay-rights and health care. At least that's my humble view.

[ScottySatan]

Just goes to say there's more than one way to view the voter turn out. I refuse to vote for someone I don't like just because I dislike the other guy more. That distinction isn't made in the vote itself. It's too easy to interpret as approval.

[Sir Doom]

Originally Posted by Reverend Richard

It doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican, you should still make the effort to vote. If you didn't bother to vote, then you don't have the right to complain about who was elected.

Its the exact opposite.

When you vote, you agree that whatever the majority wants is the best option. You can't cry after the fact when the majority doesn't agree with you. You told them they could have their way. You buy into democracy, you buy into the decisions it makes.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Sir Doom

Its the exact opposite.

When you vote, you agree that whatever the majority wants is the best option. You can't cry after the fact when the majority doesn't agree with you. You told them they could have their way. You buy into democracy, you buy into the decisions it makes.

If you cast your vote, you use that little bit of power you have to try to influence whatever you can.

If you don't, you aren't even using whatever influence you have.

As Bob Grant (radio personality) used to say, "Your influence counts. Use it!"

[Sir Doom]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

If you cast your vote, you use that little bit of power you have to try to influence whatever you can.

If you don't, you aren't even using whatever influence you have.

As Bob Grant (radio personality) used to say, "Your influence counts. Use it!"

Granted, but the comment I responded to was about the right to complain.