I don't understand people who don't vote.

[Miniv]

People have died in our history to make sure the U.S. was "Free". Part of our freedom is our right to vote. Right?

Larry and I have known a couple (in their 30's) for several years now........and during a recent conversation about the election, they just shrugged it all off. Both of them stated that they don't bother to vote. I asked WHY? The answer was that -- when things go wrong, they can't complain! Huh?

These are people I thought we knew fairly well........They claim we are amongst their closest friends. But right now I am very disappointed with them. I just don't understand their logic.

 

[Minimor]

I would never judge someone because they choose not to vote. All citizens have the right to vote, but by the same token they also have the right not to vote if they so choose.

This time around some will vote for McCain....some will vote for Obama....and some won't vote at all. Personally I'm not so sure that the 3rd one is the worst decision!

 

[Shari]

Have seen with some of the "votes" city and States do... people Vote they want something to pass or Not... and if the Gov doesn't like it.. they just over turn it. Is disconcerting to say the least.

However saying that... how come Teens can drive at age 16 years but can't Vote until they are 21? That is what Columbia County told my son...he can't vote until he is 21. OH!

I did sit out in the sunshine today and did my voting.

 

[Laura]

I think it is the right and the obligation of every citizen to be INFORMED and vote their concience...and after attempting to discuss politics with some (few) friends, I'm kind of glad they aren't planning to vote

. A relative (not saying who

) had NO idea there was a financial crisis until she was staying here overnight and we were glued to the TV (that black Monday, after the "rescue" package was defeated the first time) and she finally said "why are you so worried, why are we watching the news all day". WELL DUH!!!! LISTEN TO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ON TV! She actually said "there's a financial crisis???" My jaw hit the floor

 

[CyndiM]

Shari, I would do some checking. Eighteen year olds have been able to vote since 1972 it was a constitutional amendment. I don't understand why someone would have told him he had to be 21.

 

[onlyminis]

I know several people that don't vote, it's sad but it's their choice. HOWEVER they are often the first to complain about things, and I'm pretty quick to cut them off when they do. I'm pretty direct and tell them "you didn't vote, so don't ***CH about it!

I also agree that it's our personal responsibility to educate ourselves and voice our opinions, we're lucky to have this right.

om

 

[Shari]

Cyndi, I will double check... should of, after that County worker said he had to be 21.

Thats the problem with the USA Laura, if it doesn't affect them at the moment,, what ever is going on can't be and issue and they don't care. Really not a good idea to be that complacent.

 

[Miniv]

I think it is the right and the obligation of every citizen to be INFORMED and vote their concience...and after attempting to discuss politics with some (few) friends, I'm kind of glad they aren't planning to vote

. A relative (not saying who

) had NO idea there was a financial crisis until she was staying here overnight and we were glued to the TV (that black Monday, after the "rescue" package was defeated the first time) and she finally said "why are you so worried, why are we watching the news all day". WELL DUH!!!! LISTEN TO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ON TV! She actually said "there's a financial crisis???" My jaw hit the floor

Good point, Laura.

These are the same people who don't want to bother using their wood stove this winter, even though they have FREE wood......because it's so "messy". (Last winter we THANKED GOD we had a wood stove when a typical winter storm came through and knocked out our power for two weeks!)

 

[Texigal]

I wish I had saved it.....a couple of months ago, a friend sent me, and I forwarded to all women I knew (especially young women) on the subject of what women went through to get to vote. They were beaten and jailed and some of them killed! Just so we could have that right. before that women had to keep their opinions to themselves and let the husband speak for them. Can you even think of, or imagine this!!!!???

 

[backwoodsnanny]

I also know people of my generation and I am approaching 60 that do not intend to vote, their reason, because with the electoral college they feel their vote doesnt matter any way and that the delegates will decide. This mind set comes from times when this has actually happened in history when a person won the popular vote but were overturned by the delegates. I will vote and urge all who are eligible to do so but do understand the frustration. Think how those on our own LB forum would feel if their candidate won the popular vote but were not elected.

 

[Brandi*]

This will be my first time "seriously" voting. I think I voted last election but I really had no idea what I was doing. I wasn't up to date, didn't have a clue at all. I can't even remember who I voted for

I might have even skipped that part and just voted on the simple stuff. Everyone was telling me to vote so I did. It was my senior year and I was working at the polls so it was right in front of me.

This time however I have actually been paying attention and making my checklist. I don't know as much as all of you but I think I have a good handle on what's going on. I have my "vote by Mail" ballot now and I plan to send it out this week

I do believe though that some people should not vote. If you haven't taken the time to pay attention and study the candidates and their policies then you are by no means doing this country a favor by putting your two sense in.

 

[LowriseMinis]

It is a right to vote in America, and I think I will happily go so far as to say it is a RESPONSIBILITY.

There are people out there who are so grossly ignorant of the issues it would probably be better for them not to vote, sure. But they shouldn't get an easy pass. It is everyone's responsibility to do the research, read what you can, and then trek yourself down to your polling place and vote.

We live in the future-there's no excuse not to know what's going on. Not only do we have newspapers, but we have 24 hour news channels and this nifty thing called the internet! There is NO EXCUSE except a person's WILLFUL IGNORANCE.

EVERYONE needs to educate themselves and go vote.

This goes DOUBLE if you are anything besides a white male.

(this is a pet peeve of mine, if you couldn't tell.)

 

[h2t99]

Well I got a duzy for all of you, my mother in law informed me that she does not vote because her religion does not believe in it!!

Of course she is the first to complain about what a president is doing and what is happening!!

I knew I did not like her religion before but even more so now!!! Not trying to cause a uproar, everyone is entitled to their FREE choice of religion!!

Heidi

 

[AppyLover2]

I also know people of my generation and I am approaching 60 that do not intend to vote, their reason, because with the electoral college they feel their vote doesnt matter any way and that the delegates will decide. This mind set comes from times when this has actually happened in history when a person won the popular vote but were overturned by the delegates.

Unfortunately the popular vote is no guarantee of a persons success. It happened in recent history and could very well happen again.

"2000: Al Gore had over half a million votes more than George W. Bush, with 50,992,335 votes to Bush's 50,455,156. But after recount controversy in Florida and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Bush was awarded the state by 537 popular votes. Like most states, Florida has a "winner takes all" rule. This means that the candidate who wins the state by popular vote also gets all of the state's electoral votes. Bush became president with 271 electoral votes.

Today, a candidate must receive 270 of the 538 votes to win the election, so George W. Bush won the 2000 election by one electoral vote. In cases where no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the decision is thrown to the House of Representatives by virtue of the 12th Amendment. The House then selects the president by majority vote with each state delegation receiving one vote to cast for the three candidates who received the most electoral votes. "

Source: http://people.howstuffworks.com/question4721.htm

 

[Ashley]

I did not vote the first time I had a chance.........why? because I was not up to par and felt I would not do justice to vote when I knew nothing about ether person. HOwever this year I will vote. I know many that dont thou, in fact most of my family..........but to bad they dont as it would make those poor republicans even more crabby.

 

[stormo41]

*puts on flame proof suit*

I don't vote. I'm Canadian but I am still a "non voter". This time around I had a "real" reson to not vote and that is i moved in the summer and my adress was not completly changed over.

I don't vote because i'm not imformed it's that simple. Oh ya and from what I hear everyone is evil for some reason or another. The only party thats not evil would not be able to do a very good job is office, they just want seats so they can make some postive changes. But then again what do I know thats just hear-say.

so thats why I don't vote. I don't feel i'm failing my country by making a disscion to not make a blind vote. Really, how fair would it be for me to just vote for the first party on the ballot simply because it was the name on the top?

 

[AppyLover2]

No flames from me stormo IMO it's your right to choose not to vote. I have to admit I haven't voted in every election. But I always made it a point not to complain when I didn't vote....felt that I had forfeited my right to do that.