Here are the results of the Should non-voters complain poll.
And here are your comments
From Ryan on September 29, 2011 at 12:04 am.
As Noam Chomsky puts it, "It’s okay to vote if you have a choice."
By not voting you are making your statement of apathy and that "none of the above" are going to solve the problems that affect you day to day.
From Lisa G. on September 28, 2011 at 7:43 pm.
I still think by not voting, your voice is not heard. So yes, I think by not voting, you can’t complain. And that’s to say that you can complain about either side – I voted for Obama and complain about him plenty.
From jon hoy on September 26, 2011 at 4:18 am.
When you get candidates that crawl from out of the wood work no one has seen before, why vote.
From Bill McCoy on September 20, 2011 at 1:01 pm.
I almost always vote, even in relatively unimportant elections. However, not voting because none of the candidates is fit to receive a vote, is also a form of voting. I would really like to see "none of the above" added as a voting choice. After "none…" wins a few races, maybe something would be done.
From John Coleman on September 20, 2011 at 12:48 pm.
I used to think one should vote.
When no candidate represents you, there is nobody to vote for.
Simply voting against the greater evil is an impotent act.
From Bull Slam on September 17, 2011 at 11:54 am.
"The price for not paying attention to politics is to be ruled by inferior men."
Socrates/Plato
No is the winner by an almost three to one margin.
I voted No. The “nobody represents me” argument does not hold water. Such people seem to expect that people who agree with them on every issue ought to magically appear on the ballot, and if they do not, it abrogates their responsibility. There has never been and never will be a perfect candidate, although Bernie and Elizabeth are damn close! Voting involves picking the candidate who is closest to you that has a reasonable chance to win. Voting for a sure loser helps the candidate who is farthest from you. (There are rare situations in locales where Republicans control the local Democratic party and put up a straw candidate. These are exceptions.) In Oregon, we get good candidates from which to choose on the left, because we invest the effort to make it happen. And, if you have done that and failed, vote anyway. Hell, in 1988 I voted for my cat for President. I’m sorry to report that the cat lost. In 2010, many on the left stayed home. Look what happened. The punishment for not voting is Republican rule.
The new poll is on the timing of primaries. Enjoy!
10 Responses to “Poll Results–10/1/2011”
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Had your cat won in 1988, we’d all be better off today.
Phil, I could not agree more!
I tell people who don’t vote that they have no right to complain all the time. I do urge them to vote because it’s their responsibility.
I agree.
To look back in time, how sad that Gore didn’t become president – the debacle we are currently facing might not have occurred. Woulda, shoulda coulda – oh well – when I think of China now, I think of a few summers back when I started a protein powder drink – to help control my weight – I had a lot of success and liked the drink so I decided to see what the Net had to say about it, and whether I might add a commendation – well it was eye-opening, nearly all protein powders are made in China with significant levels of toxins, that neither China or the US regulate – it was advised not to use any of these products on a regular basis! I still will snack with one of these products, but I feel like I’m contributing to this “trade war” – which is more than a finance issue!
Oops I’m responding to two stories at once!
Yes I would say that the people do have a right to complain when presented with a 2 party “corporate” backed political system – at least the complaints mean that there is awareness, which is far better than apathy – although I will not work for O this time around and am sorely disappointed with his presidency – I’ll hold my nose and vote this time around – much to my brothers’ dismay (plural – although I think one will acquiesce and vote) – as bad or worse than not voting is voting for a 3rd party (which I’ve been considering as well) Nader was a divisive candidate and a foiler of an important election —– it’s time to beef up this democorp party and change the money issues that are befouling all campaigns and elections!!! I imagine the most effective way would be from within the party since this country will never seriously consider more than the 2 party system! I didn’t vote in NY’s primary for the first time in my voting life (missing a voting opportunity) – it was my way of sending O the message that he stinks !
Lee, the reason you are wrong is that one party is capable of being reformed and one party is beyond that. Even if that were not so, there are individual differences, however slight, that make one candidate a better choice than the other. Even though neither is what you want, you have a civic duty to minimize the damage. That was a special election, not a primary. The Democratic turn out was low and the Republican won. When that Republican casts votes that you hate, remember how he got there.
There is only once that I did not vote and that was only because I was so sick, that getting out of bed took half an hour. I am of the opinion that if you don’t vote, then obviously you don’t care about the outcome or are very lazy. As a result, you have no right to complain. I encourage people to go and vote but when I am met with resistance such as ‘my vote won’t matter’ I always ask ‘so when did you become a psychic?’
I remember once I was tempted not to bother, but I did. And in the big races, my vote made no difference, but one of the ballot measures I supported won by a single vote.