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[Axion22]

By my reckoning, they have not actually accomplished very much. But do you know what does actually accomplish things? Voting. All of those disenchanted 20-somethings that seem to be occupied with chanting about how they're the 99% but can't find the time to get to a polling place today are hypocritical and silly. They seem, to me, to be more interested in looking like they're doing something than actually doing something.

Please be a joke post...

 

[WedgeX]

What if I believe no candidate has my best interest at hand? Vote for the "least worst" candidate? fuck that.

Vote for none. And vote for those that you do believe in. But go to the polls and see that for yourself.

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/39412473/George+Carlin+carlin7.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk

If we had no government. If we had no social contract. I would agree with Carlin. But we do. And so comes my rare disagreement with him. If you choose to remove yourself from the conversation by not showing up at the polls, any voice you might have in a democratic-republic is meaningless.

Voting is not the only method of civic engagement. There is getting out and volunteering in issues important to you. Talking to candidates and those affected directly and indirectly about issues. Reading, listening, watching about issues. There is talking to others about candidates, issues. One of the saddest things in American life has been the meme that political talk is not polite. So we bottle it up, only chose to talk to those who share our views because then it becomes polite. We only reinforce our own ideas, thoughts. If things don't go exactly as we would wish then the whole system isn't working. And what happens? We get worked up, anxious, about discussing our ideas and views with people who might not agree. And so there is less sharing, less discussion. Less actual experience with knowing that other people believe in things just as genuinely and that compromise or at least basic mutual understanding for change/no change is necessary to get any thing done. We might realize this in other facets of life such as in relationships, at work, but somehow put it aside in politics.

Voting is the method of expression for civic engagement. Not the beginning, and not the end point.

 

[Blackace]

or a felon who couldn't get their rights back..

 

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

Vote for none. And vote for those that you do believe in. But go to the polls and see that for yourself.

Isn't that the same thing as not voting, when it comes down to it? I actually think abstaining from a vote because you don't care for the candidates is a valid choice.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Isn't that the same thing as not voting, when it comes down to it? I actually think abstaining from a vote because you don't care for the candidates is a valid choice.

Agreed. Then there is this route:

 

[WedgeX]

Isn't that the same thing as not voting, when it comes down to it? I actually think abstaining from a vote because you don't care for the candidates is a valid choice.

If the research is done, and someone disagrees with every candidate and every ballot proposal. Maybe. But taking the step to fill the ballot out reflecting that is more meaningful in a democratic-republic, I think.

 

[watershed]

I always vote but I only vote on stuff I'm informed about.

 

[Kapura]

It's not enough for you to be an idiot that you have to be an asshole too?

I'm sorry for not thinking that comedians are ineffable fonts of wisdom. They exist to make me laugh. They can do that, even if what they're saying doesn't make real sense. You may take Carlin's advice on voting and Dane Cook's advice on shoes and Jim Gaffigan's advice on the best way to watch the food channel, but you're not really making smart decisions about who you trust as an authority on the subject. Humour and truth aren't the same.

voting is pointless if the candidate or issues you are for are anywhere below 40% in the polls, and vice versa

Ron Paul's winning in straw polls, so all of the other republican candidates should probably throw in the towel now, eh?

Oh wait, ron paul is an unelectable creationist fuckwit who doesn't understand how money works.

Interestingly enough, there was a ron paul advert at the bottom of the page for me.

Please be a joke post...

Please be a joke post...

 

[Wrekt]

lets get rid of the electoral college, fuck that noise

This. It is the single largest deterrent to getting young people to vote. I was nearing voting age and then watched Gore lose even though he had the most votes. It's hard to convince someone that their vote counts when evidence suggests otherwise.

 

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

If the research is done, and someone disagrees with every candidate and every ballot proposal. Maybe. But taking the step to fill the ballot out reflecting that is more meaningful in a democratic-republic, I think.

I actually think voter apathy is one of the most meaningful data points in the election.

 

[thirty]

Red states, blue states... WHAT? Unless you're in a swing state does it really matter? After bush won again I gave up.

 

[zeioIIDX]

I've honestly never voted because...politics confuses and bores me Also, I always end up convincing myself I'm too busy with what life is throwing at me to bother following candidates for stuff and researching them. I'm so shame :/

 

[WedgeX]

I actually think voter apathy is one of the most meaningful data points in the election.

How so? I have some guesses but that's about it.

And here is where I would like a longitudinal study: About whether not voting, that is, not filling out a ballot, increases/decreases/has a neutral affect on voter apathy and disconnect from the process. I have my suspicions about one of them.