Voting

[*~SilenT~*]

i was just wondering sence i don't vote, how meany do?

[Phoenix Blue]

Voting, for citizens of representative governments who are old enough to vote, is the most important repsonsibility you face of serving that government.

Lots of people complain about the state of American politics; but fewer than half of eligible voters vote even in Presidential elections. Fewer still, maybe 5-10%, are politically active in any real sense of the word. In short, the American people have gotten exactly what they've paid for.

[*~SilenT~*]

nicely said:nonono: :boing: :thumbsup: :boing: :nonono:

[MammaStar]

I vote all the time. Even in the puny local elections right down to the school board. I figure I can get smug about complaining then. Cause I can complain all I want cause I vote. ;)

[Flaire-FireStar]

Still underage..... Only 3 months and a few odd days. :rolleyes:

[Garnet]

Well said, Phoenix!
I believe that voting is a duty, as well as a priveledge. In about 30 years of voting, I missed one election. I had moved from the 'burbs into the city, & the city was having a school board election. I didn't feel that I knew enough about the issues/candidates to make a valid choice. That is the only time I did not vote since I've been eligible to vote.

In the words of Steve Earle (my very favorite singer) If you don't vote, don't bitch!

[Psyche Ague]

I registered to vote the DAY I turned 18. I'm so excited to be voting in my first election next month. Oh - and you better believe I'm voting in every possible election.

I completely agree with Phoenix Blue in that it's our responsibility as citizens of a representative government to choose our leaders. I also believe that one who doesn't vote has no right to be complaining about the shoddy leadership of one's country. Maybe I'm idealistic, but that's the way it was MEANT to work. Whether or not it does is entirely a different story, but:

"The function of an ideal is not to be realized but, like that of the North Star, to serve as a guiding point." ~Edward Abbey

"Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." ~Robert F. Kennedy

We have to try.

Hehe...Quote Girl strikes again!

[Garnet]

"We have to try'.
I like that!

If you care, vote. (I stole that from a local billboard).

[Sequoia]

I will be turning eighteen just in time to have missed this recent election -_-;

[Mythrel]

Ivote on all the big elections...don't really get too involved in the lesser stuff...

[Garnet]

Mythrel, the 'lesser' elections may be the most important.
School board, aldermanic, etc. elections affect you 'where you live'...right in YOUR neighborhood.
If you don't like the way the schools are run, if you have a problem with something on your block (lack of plowing, slow police response to calls, & so on) sometimes the only way to solve the problems are to 'throw the bums out' (of office) & get some new (& hopefully more responsive) local politicians.

[SnowStar]

I'm not chronologically old enough to vote yet. I'm not 18 'til April. However, I feel like I've been psychologically old enough to vote since I was about 14 or 15. In all honesty, I feel that I'm better informed than most voters. There's just that silly little age restriction that gets in my way. So, can I get a waiver to bitch and moan about the morons that are currently in office since I can't really help it that I had no say in it?

[Psyche Ague]

SnowStar, those who are not yet 18 cannot legally vote. Therefore, it's not your fault that you were born a little later than the rest of us. Once you hit 18 is when you start having to take responsibility. Before that, you just can't. Not your fault.

Isn't it weird that the people who can vote usually don't (statistically) and that the ones who aren't old enough to vote or who are young enough to just have registered are the ones who really seem to care? Granted, there are older people who still care, but I've noticed the aforementioned trend. I'm in college and I have never seen so many people who just really want to change the world! It's beautiful. But then you look at older people and sense their apathy. I guess it's up to the young to change things. I just wish we had the support of people who actually have the position and the power to DO things...