As we near elections and add on another year of American History and tradition I find myself getting pissed off. Every time I hear someone say, "I don't matter"; "It's just one vote"; "Mine doesn't count" it pisses me off.
Even the most ignorant people preach of patriotism and claim they bleed red, white and blue. Yet, they won't vote. "It's my choice." They claim. Bullshit. You have a dutie to your government, your forefathers, and to every soldier who fights for America past, present, or future, to vote.
When women don't vote it pisses me off further. Do you know how long women fought to vote? Since we fought to become the United States! And when did we get to vote? Over 150 years later!
People have died and are dying for this right! Uncle Sam wants you! To Vote! Imagine all the people who say "It's just one vote." The people, especially those in my age bracket, could change everything if they voted. Thousands don't vote. It's more than "just one" it's thousands.
Also if you want the right to complain about what's wrong in this country than use your right to vote. If you don't vote then QUITCHERBITCHIN!
That's all I have to say...so please make me a happy camper and go be an American...VOTE!
AS importantly as voting (or perhaps more?) . .. . LEARN about the candidates.
Don't just find the one your friends like and look up stuff about them to support voting for them, people.
Look up all the candidates, from BOTH sides... even look at third party candidates. Look up what they stand for, what they say and what they've done.
Balance that with what you think is right and support them.
If you REALLY think that Obama is the greatest hope for the country, at least know why you like him (other than "Well, republicans are stupid! ONly Obama matters, cause I said so!"). . .. and know what you don't like about other candidiates.
Rise above basic and petty rhetoric "They only give tax cuts to the rich!" "They hate the poor!" blech. What insane prattle by weak-minded folk who are too afraid to look deeper into what our country was, is and can be.
WE decide... so make that decision one of the best you make every 4 years.
Oh I quite agree with that as well.
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"I am a Stephens Woman."
http://progressiveu.org/blog/ashestree
Voting is not a duty it is a right.
I have a right to speak, but also the right to remain silent. A right to bear arms, but may go unarmed if I choose.
Why would it bother you if someone that does not care doesn't vote? Would they cast a wise vote without any effort? If everyone voted it would dilute the power of the votes of those people who study the issues and candidates, and have strong preferences.
More voting is not better voting.
It would also dilute those votes of people who vote merely for the sake of voting, or those who vote unconstitutionally.
But I agree. If people don't vote, it's their choice. We have the right to vote as much as we have the right not to vote. Though, people who don't vote shouldn't be able to complain when the results pop up.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
I agree that it is our right to vote so if someone doesnt want o we shouldnt HAVE TO. But i also agree that if your not voting or trying to make a difference that you also have no right to complain. Thats just the way it is.
The points being brought up about uninformed and uncaring voters is why the editorial system was put in place. However I think that Government in high school should be more than just one semester course. I think that when people graduate from high school they should graduate with an excellent knowledge on how our system works. I also believe that it is a civic duty to become informed. Frankly I think it should be required, even people who vote aren't alwas informed. They vote according to party. As for voting unconstitutionally, I figure with all our checks and balances that SHOULD be in play there should never be a bill that is unconstitutional.
But I am thinking of a perfect place and world, which we clearly don't live in.
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"I am a Stephens Woman."
http://progressiveu.org/blog/ashestree
I still am of the mind that schools should become better at what they are already supposed to be doing before expanding their authority to other things.
We have high school students who can't read or write or do math.... I don't want the system responsible for that to also educate them on how to vote.
"I also believe that it is a civic duty to become informed."
I've got to be the fly in this ointment again. Most of the 'information' out there in the political world is PURE BULL! You may delight in wading through it all, and as ashamed as I am to admit it I keep gobbling it up as well. Often i get a laugh out of some of the things they try to put over, but quite often I am disgusted.
You are saying that a person that just minds their own business is not doing their duty? What makes you think I should feel guilty because politicians rarely have anything worthwhile to say and I don't waste my time listening? Life is short. We each have the freedom to choose how we spend our precious time.
Being politically active is bad as often as it is good. I'm glad you have that choice, and I hope you enjoy it. I pray that no harm comes of it. Trying to promote political involvement in others is misguided. Just as they have a right to be Democrat, Republican Liberal, or Conservative they also have a right to wish all the busy bodies would go away.
Just try to get the people that agree with your side out to the polls. Trying to get everyone involved is just meddlesome.
Basicaly "It doesn't matter what you vote for just vote!"
#@!&^(*)!!!
"It doesn't matter what you vote for just vote!"
I never said that nor think it. I believe that people should know who and what their voting for. Of course we are voting for humans who lie so one can never be fully informed. However, as Americans I believe that it is our dutie to vote. If I can be reprimanded for not being "patriotic" than i believe that others should be reprimanded for not voting.
Voting is the one way that the common people have power. It's our time to shine. It matters because it's our voice and it matters.
I very much dislike the animosity and pure loathe for politics and voting that I get from fellow college students.
"Just try to get the people that agree with your side out to the polls. Trying to get everyone involved is just meddlesome"
I disagree with that because unless everyone voted it wouldn't be an accurate representation of what the populas wants. Just because I want something doesn't mean everyone else does. Just because something benefits me doesn't mean it benefits the country as a whole. We have a chance to change the country with our vote and it should be used.
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"I am a Stephens Woman."
http://progressiveu.org/blog/ashestree
For the record, I like how topics of my polls are coming out of the woodwork now.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!