Voting is a Responsibility

[Angry Dragon]

There is a lot of talk this election cycle of people withholding their vote. The reason is given that it is to punish the Democrats for their abandonment of the political left. I understand their feelings, I also feel that Obama and the Democrats have forgotten what they ran on and their roots. However, this is not a good enough reason not to vote. It will not help in the least. A vote is needed to stop the alternative.

If one actually believes, "We the People", then the course is clear cut. If one believes that the people are the government, then it is their responsibility to vote. It is their job. I have always felt that if one does not take the responsibility to vote then they have no right to complain about the outcome. They lose this very basic civil right of this country, the right to complain about the work of the elected officials to work for the government, the people, of this country.

Which political party will be more apt to work for the betterment of this country?? Which political party is more apt to have empathy for the lesser of this country??

It is your duty and responsibility to vote. If you care not to do your job, then do not open your mouth when you find yourself without a job, you lose your house, you find that you are unable to feed your family. One has no choice but to vote Democratic this election cycle, for if you do not vote, or vote for the Republicans, you will find yourself without a job, no house, and unable to feed your family. The Republicans do not care about you, they do not even care about the people that they claim as their base.

Vote Democratic for that is the only chance you have to a better life.

[leftstreet]

1. Actually, representatives have to represent nonvoters, too

I get tired of hearing "if you didn't vote you can't complain"

Doesn't matter

[Xicano]

5. Thanks leftstreet I agree.

+10

[Angry Dragon]

8. How do then plan on getting what you want??

Do you just hope you get lucky??

[Xicano]

9. How did Martin Luther King do it?

How did women do it?

How did organized labor do it?

How are gay couples doing it?

How are marijuana smokers doing it?

Shall I continue?



Peace,
Xicano

[Angry Dragon]

10. Those people also voted did they not??

[Xicano]

11. I am sure they did, but not on the issues absent on the ballot. The ONLY way they got those issues.

was from coming together in solidarity and organizing a movement. Their votes prior to them making their issue an issue had nothing to do with bringing their issue to light. Instead it was their actions, not their voting, that brought their issues to light.

You asked how to get what one wants and I gave you how many people do exactly just that and it has nothing to do with how one voted or not voted.


Peace,
Xicano

[Xicano]

12. I have the exact same question for those who vote the lesser of two evils.

How does anyone who votes for something which doesn't represent their values and principles expect to see their values and principles represented?? I can give the same answer as well. Do they just hope they get lucky??

So you see that rhetoric applies equally both ways.



Peace,
Xicano

[Angry Dragon]

13. Okay .......you have convinced me

As long as there are few out there that represent my values
I have no reason to vote. I hope I get lucky that the country
is not destroyed before the next election.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. And there are many who feel that, since their representatives aren't

holding up their end of the bargain, why should a voter hold up theirs?

It's a football game where all voters lose.

Honestly, all of this lecturing is getting darned ridiculous.

[HillbillyBob]

3. I have as others do a lot to be not happy about.

handing it back to the ditch drivers is foolish self defeating spite (i should know as I am very much guilty of such).

I don't want to see us in the ditch anymore. Too many times we do lose sight, we need to keep leadership in our hands. God knows that the other side made a f ing hash...and I hate hash!

I did go vote solid D at the courthouse in early voting.
Early voting makes life easier when you are in limited circumstance.

[Xicano]

4. I think it is disingenuous to tell people not to open their mouths if they didn't vote.

I can appreciate some of the points you make in your OP, but, I would also like to point out that for those who do choose to abstain from voting partially or in full still have every bit as much a right to complain about what government is doing or not doing that is negatively affecting them. Especially if they are paying taxes.

Also have you ever considered the fact that a person who chooses to abstain from casting a vote is actually voicing their opinion by not casting a vote? For some people voting for the "lesser of two evils" is still voting for an evil and don't wish to associate with something contrary to their principles and beliefs. I am sorry but I think it absurd to tell that person to "not open their mouth if they find themselves without a job, or they lose their house or unable to feed their family."

I would rather say vote for your principles because that's the only way to acquire and maintain the liberal representation we all here at the DU wish for.


Peace,
Xicano

[WillyT]

6. You Know What... You Are Absolutely Correct, But...

the way it works most places, is...

You complain about some vote taken, a new law passed, or some policy you don't like.

Someone overhears this, listens, considers what you are saying, and then asks, "How did you vote?"

You say, "I didn't."

End of conversation...

Because whether fair or not, whether principled or not, the vast majority will not want to listen to you explain your reasons for not showing up at the polls.

I argue enough with people out in the real world, so to keep some sort of credibility, I show up at the polls every single time.

And remember... you don't have to vote for somebody you object to, and your ballot is secret.

:shrug:

[Xicano]

7. Thanks WilyT, But I have a but as well.. :)

First I would just like to point out that I (and I am sure those I refer to) am very aware of "the way it works in most places." :)

If I were to be asked the question you cite, "how did I vote?" If I didn't vote I wouldn't say, "I didn't" because that's not exactly correct. As I mentioned above, many times when a person chooses to abstain from casting a vote they are actually voicing their opinion by not casting a vote. So if my values and principles are not represented on that vote, then, by not voting I am standing by my values and principles.

So my answer would be "my position wasn't represented on the ballot." That answer, not only being more accurate, would also not end the conversation. Rather it would foce them to ask what is my position and give creadibility for having the coviction to standby my values and principles and not sell them to the "lesser of two evils."


Peace,
Xicano