Sick and tired of the upcomming election?

[DevilsFan]

My feeling is that if you don't vote, you don't get to complain about how things are.

My feeling is that if you DO vote, you don't have the right to complain. After all, you helped put them in office. If I don't vote, I can't be blamed for any of it.

Is it obvious that I don't vote?

 

[DevilsFan]

I hear where you are coming from, but I have to say respectfully that in my mind abstaining is pretty much the same as not voting.



I would agree that there is not enough daylight between the parties on a number of issues, but the idea that there are not fundamental differences between them, and that those differences do not affect life in this country, is in my view dangerously false.



Agreed 100%. This stuff matters, and the ignorance and apathy out there are mind-boggling. I'm constantly amazed that people don't vote, and even more so that many who do vote apparently feel no responsibility to become informed about the issues before doing so.

I don't vote for a few reasons. First, it is meaningless. It might make you feel like "part of the process" or whatever, but you aren't changing anything. Both parties are only interested in stealing your wealth or taking away your rights. Their methods differ, but they have the same goal: to empower themselves at your expense. Why empower and reinforce that behavior? Second, I view voting as an act of aggression. While I have every right to select who I want to rule over me (or no one, for that matter), I don't have any right to select who should rule over you. That's what I do when I vote. Third, the lesser of two evils is still evil. I don't support evil.

This country is a shell of what it used to be. It doesn't matter one iota which party is in power. The country is ruled by the Federal Reserve and the military industrial complex. One controls the money and the other controls the guns. Both get whatever they want and both are capable of bringing down the government. Until either of those entities is removed from power, your vote is irrelevant.

That's why I don't vote.

 

[Austin]

I don't vote for a few reasons. First, it is meaningless. It might make you feel like "part of the process" or whatever, but you aren't changing anything. Both parties are only interested in stealing your wealth or taking away your rights. Their methods differ, but they have the same goal: to empower themselves at your expense. Why empower and reinforce that behavior? Second, I view voting as an act of aggression. While I have every right to select who I want to rule over me (or no one, for that matter), I don't have any right to select who should rule over you. That's what I do when I vote. Third, the lesser of two evils is still evil. I don't support evil.

This country is a shell of what it used to be. It doesn't matter one iota which party is in power. The country is ruled by the Federal Reserve and the military industrial complex. One controls the money and the other controls the guns. Both get whatever they want and both are capable of bringing down the government. Until either of those entities is removed from power, your vote is irrelevant.

That's why I don't vote.

We are starting to drift way off the original topic. Lets stay on topic please. Not just you everyone. Me included.

 

[DevilsFan]

We are starting to drift way off the original topic. Lets stay on topic please. Not just you everyone. Me included.

OK, no problem, but I don't see how discussing disenfranchisement with voting is way off topic for a thread entitled "Sick and tired of the upcoming (sic) election?" It may have taken a slightly different track than the OP intended, but any discussion of elections inevitably ends up with someone extolling the virtues of voting.

 

[grump]

To many negative campaigns.

I would also urge all to get out and vote.

Take a little time to do some research, if you are not on top of things and be an informed voter.

I think a straight party vote may soon be a thing of the past.

 

[Nils]

If I may offer my perspective as an outsider: The negativity and bitter divisiveness of recent US politics is a little bit scary. I like the country, and from here it doesn't seem to be going in a good direction.

 

[instpasr]

If I may offer my perspective as an outsider: The negativity and bitter divisiveness of recent US politics is a little bit scary. I like the country, and from here it doesn't seem to be going in a good direction.

Agreed. We've seem to have lost our roots

 

[craig87c]

I'm a Government and Politics Masters student in the rare time's I'm not on B&B . Not sure if this gives me a different perspective on the elections, but these will go down as one of the strangest elections ever. Rarely does a sitting President pass much of his agenda and lose popularity as Obama is doing right now. The Tea Party phenomenon is just odd- how do people who profess to dislike government run and seemingly do well in primaries (overly simplified, I know).

I'm tired of the election because I'm expected to keep up with it even though my focus is international relations. Sometimes it seems there's less hate between the US and Iran or North Korea than there is between Republicans/conservatives/fascist police staters and Democrats/liberals/commie pinko socialists.

 

[Chimensch]

This country is a shell of what it used to be. It doesn't matter one iota which party is in power. The country is ruled by the Federal Reserve and the military industrial complex. One controls the money and the other controls the guns. Both get whatever they want and both are capable of bringing down the government. Until either of those entities is removed from power, your vote is irrelevant.

Welcome to B&B. You're new around here, so I'd like to give you some friendly advice. Go easy on the truth. There are quite a few people here that can't tolerate it.

 

[bob.e]

In every election there are winners and losers whether it's a D or an R the politician these days is the winner and we the citizens are the losers. I remember a time when our votes actually counted and politicians answered to the people and Washington's first priority was "We The People"

 

[Swampfox]

"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."

— Alan Moore (V for Vendetta)

Originally stated by some dude named Jefferson, who also ran a nasty campaign against the incumbent of his day.

Remember gents, vote early and vote often.

But, I don't live in Chicago......

My theory is simple: Vote them all out of office.

And then vote DC out of the country.

 

[slcsteve]

In every election there are winners and losers whether it's a D or an R the politician these days is the winner and we the citizens are the losers. I remember a time when our votes actually counted and politicians answered to the people and Washington's first priority was "We The People"

Refresh my memory. When was that?

 

[Bertilak]

I would agree that there is not enough daylight between the parties on a number of issues, but the idea that there are not fundamental differences between them, and that those differences do not affect life in this country, is in my view dangerously false.

There is a clear distinction between the philosophical basis of the two main US parties and the danger is that so many people do not recognize this. Even if the distinction is perhaps not as distinct as it should be.

The Tea Party phenomenon is just odd- how do people who profess to dislike government run and seemingly do well in primaries (overly simplified, I know).

Some truth to this and I think it is why the limited-government point of view is under represented in the actual makeup of the political class, that is those who actually run the government. It takes a lot to get limited-government advocates to participate. This year there *was* a lot to wake the dragon. Unfortunately, this dragon will likely doze off again in a few years.

 

[craig87c]

There is a clear distinction between the philosophical basis of the two main US parties and the danger is that so many people do not recognize this. Even if the distinction is perhaps not as distinct as it should be.

There's a HUGE philosophical difference between the two parties- this is most evident during the primary races where the parties cater to the more extreme wings of their party. However, the difference between the two parties get blurred during the actual governing process- just think about Bush and Obama. Obama continued most of Bush's bailout and military policies.

Some truth to this and I think it is why the limited-government point of view is under represented in the actual makeup of the political class, that is those who actually run the government. It takes a lot to get limited-government advocates to participate. This year there *was* a lot to wake the dragon. Unfortunately, this dragon will likely doze off again in a few years.

Pretty good point! Just think about the "Contract with America" back in '94. How long did THAT last?

 

[_JP_]

My gripe is the scheduling of elections on Tuesdays -- why?

Absentee ballot. A lot of people here in Ohio use it as a matter of convenience.

 

[_JP_]

What if there is nobody you want to vote for?

Every election I hear this, along with the old "I'm going to protest the election by not voting" phrase as well. All you are doing is choosing not to take part in the process. There isn't a "I protest the election" selection on the ballot and there never will be. The process is designed so that there will be people in government, and this year these are the choices. Someone will win in each of races, and all of the issues will be decided one way or another. Now, which of those choices do you prefer?

If you don't vote, then you forfeited your right to protest the results.

 

[Bertilak]

Absentee ballot. A lot of people here in Ohio use it as a matter of convenience.

And early voting. For example, I voted last week. Usually no lines, even.