Author Topic: Sandman, explain to me the logic of voting if I dont like any of the candidates... (Read 850 times)

Batz · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2003, 09:45:36 PM »

yes, "people" really means citizen, you dont give up your citizenship but not voting.

Some may not as an excersive of freedom of speech. Some may not give a crap. Either way they are still the "people".

Karnak · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2003, 12:22:41 AM »

Write yourself in.

Seriously, voting for the lesser of two evils is not that bad a reason to vote.

I would have voted for Riordan over Davis in a second, but given the choices we had on the ballot I had to vote for Davis simply because I didn't want a Fundi in charge of California. Having a wacko religious nut in charge of California would have been significantly worse than grey Gray's pathetic excuse of an administration.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2003, 12:39:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Karnak
Write yourself in.

Seriously, voting for the lesser of two evils is not that bad a reason to vote.

I would have voted for Riordan over Davis in a second, but given the choices we had on the ballot I had to vote for Davis simply because I didn't want a Fundi in charge of California. Having a wacko religious nut in charge of California would have been significantly worse than grey Gray's pathetic excuse of an administration.

Not having a chance to vote for Riordan is in some part Democrats design - they engineered a campaign to defeat riordan in the republican primary including IRRC encouraging democrtats to vote for simon just so Davis wouldnt face the much tougher candidate Riordan. Actually this is one of the reasons I kinda support the Davis recall - kinda nice irony IMHO... My reservation about the recall is that it smacks me of parlamentalism where you can have votes of no confidence for a PM or can, apprently, call new elections whenever they are in crissis insted of just bearing down working together as public servants and fighting through it...

Sandman · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2003, 01:22:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Batz
yes, "people" really means citizen, you dont give up your citizenship but not voting.

Some may not as an excersive of freedom of speech. Some may not give a crap. Either way they are still the "people".

Democracy is a participatory government. Certainly, one doesn't lose citizenship (nor should they) for opting out. It's a choice, a poor one, IMHO.

There are no doubt thousands, if not millions, of people on this planet that would die for the right to participate in their own government. Here... people blow it off like it's unimportant. It's sad.

The fact that some defend this point of view is equally sad.

Nash · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2003, 01:30:06 AM »

If anything, the fiasco in Florida should have really hit home for people that their vote can make a difference.

Hortlund · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2003, 02:00:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman_SBM

The fact that some defend this point of view is equally sad.

Yes...because your one single vote can make the difference!!

Torque · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2003, 02:05:58 PM »

If you pay taxes and don't vote, well what more needs to be said.

This is a Kodac moment.

Makofan · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2003, 10:13:34 PM »

If you vote for someone, you are endorsing them. If they are all scumbags, you are actively supporting and helping elect a scumbag. Not voting is more honest.

Maverick · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21, 2003, 10:45:48 PM »

Voting is the enfranchisement of your citizenship. Failure to exercise that right means you lack the moral character to actually BE a full citizen. For some time I have been rather taken with Heinlein's idea that the right to vote should not be automatically granted simply as an accident of birth. I think he had it right in a way. Those who canot be bothered to actually earn that right don't deserve it. Failure to excersize the right to vote should be held in contempt absent any compelling reason, such as physical incapacitation on election day, for the failure to vote. Making a general statement that ALL the people up for elections are scumbags is an overgeneralization that indicates a lack of research of the cantidates.

There is always someone who is less qualified or deserving of the office. If nothing else vote for thier opposition.

I still stand by my earlier statement, if you can't be bothered to vote, you have no right to squeak about the outcome. You had a choice given to you to make your opinion heard. If you can't bother, then you get the government you deserve. To truly use your freedom of speech you must be involved, anything else is just noise.

Sandman · « **Reply #24 on:** July 21, 2003, 11:05:53 PM »

I rather like the way the Aussies used to do it (and they still might)... People that did not vote received a fine.

funkedup · « **Reply #25 on:** July 21, 2003, 11:14:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Torque
If you pay taxes and don't vote, well what more needs to be said.

What needs to be said is that such a person is SQUANDERING or ACTUALLY TAKING A CRAP ON a right that MILLIONS OF AMERICANS have DIED TO PROTECT and such a person IS NOT DESERVING of CITIZENSHIP AND ANY OF THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES THEREOF.

Makofan · « **Reply #26 on:** July 21, 2003, 11:26:57 PM »

If you choose not to vote, it is not the same as not BOTHERING to vote. If after a careful and sober (well for some not so sober) deliberation you choose not to empower any of the candidates, you have put as much effort in as your neighbour.

That is my philosophical view. In actuality, I have voted in every election since I turned 18, as I have chosen to vote for the party that compromises my principles the least. I am sometimes happy about making that vote (like voting for Mike Harris in Ontario) and sometimes unhappy (like voting for Brian Mulroney federally back in 1980)

Just remember Brewster's Millions - none of the above!

Batz · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2003, 11:44:19 PM »

Some folks just arent qualified to vote. Encouraging them with flag waving "they died for you" isnt the best thing to do.

Ideally only those who have taken the time and effort to understand what they are "voting" for should be able to vote. But there are millions of hand in the sand idjits who dont care. Making them vote with a threat of a fine or stripping them of their citizenship doesnt sound to smart.

An oligarchy isnt always a bad thing. America was an oligarchy early and as the voting base expanded to include just about any one who could sign their name has not brought about a better America.

So the left wing dope smokers complaining about the Council on Foreign Relations at their "stop US imperialism" rally dont need to be encouraged and or forced to vote. Instead of handing out voter registration cards we ought to hand out free dope and condoms or what ever to keep umm away from the poling stations.

The same goes for some right wing religious Kooks. Convince them that God Hates voters.

Look at those idiots in Florida who voted and didnt even know wtf they were voting for.

Again some see not voting as right as well. Free speech and all.

But whatever.....

Sandman · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2003, 11:57:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Batz
Some folks just arent qualified to vote.

I believe the only qualification required is citizenship. The idiot votes will cancel each other out...

Torque · « **Reply #29 on:** July 23, 2003, 07:06:40 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
What needs to be said is that such a person is SQUANDERING or ACTUALLY TAKING A CRAP ON a right that MILLIONS OF AMERICANS have DIED TO PROTECT and such a person IS NOT DESERVING of CITIZENSHIP AND ANY OF THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES THEREOF.

Okie dokie....