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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 21:08:17 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace.
Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country.
It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace.
Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country.
It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by manchestermike on Nov 4, 2008 21:10:25 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happens everywhere... the amount of people that don't vote over here is unbelievable.
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happens everywhere... the amount of people that don't vote over here is unbelievable. |
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funster
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,256
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October 2006
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by funster on Nov 4, 2008 21:12:52 GMT 1, In some countries you're fined if you don't vote, and I totally agree with that. What people have gone through in the past to assure our right to vote (and in other places still fight for) is intense, so not use it is criminal.
In some countries you're fined if you don't vote, and I totally agree with that. What people have gone through in the past to assure our right to vote (and in other places still fight for) is intense, so not use it is criminal.
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 21:14:28 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happens everywhere... the amount of people that don't vote over here is unbelievable.
I know, and it absolutely drives me nuts. To complain about how you're country is run, persistently for 4 or 5 years and then to not vote for change is beyond me.
Having the ability to vote for your govenment is so important.
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happens everywhere... the amount of people that don't vote over here is unbelievable. I know, and it absolutely drives me nuts. To complain about how you're country is run, persistently for 4 or 5 years and then to not vote for change is beyond me. Having the ability to vote for your govenment is so important. |
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Tiki
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,223
Likes โข 157
May 2008
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by Tiki on Nov 4, 2008 21:19:26 GMT 1, BONGO for president!
BONGO for president!
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spirit
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,956
Likes โข 516
August 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by spirit on Nov 4, 2008 21:20:08 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to say I disagree with this strongly.
It is perfectly valid to hold the opinion that the republicans and democrats (and conservative/labour over here) are nothing more than 2 cheeks of the same arse and the democratic system is nothing but a con invented by would be dictators who realised some time ago that they could hold on to power indefinitely by fooling people into thinking that they actually have a choice.
One thing you can be certain of - anyone who gets as far as to be nominated for president certainly has some very powerful and shady people behind them who definitley do not have the electorates interests at heart.
Therefore, it is quite reasonable to take the view that the very act of voting itself signifies tacit acceptance of and subjugation by the system.
Imagine if NOBODY voted. Can you think of a more powerful way for the electorate to signal that wanted REAL change?
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to say I disagree with this strongly. It is perfectly valid to hold the opinion that the republicans and democrats (and conservative/labour over here) are nothing more than 2 cheeks of the same arse and the democratic system is nothing but a con invented by would be dictators who realised some time ago that they could hold on to power indefinitely by fooling people into thinking that they actually have a choice. One thing you can be certain of - anyone who gets as far as to be nominated for president certainly has some very powerful and shady people behind them who definitley do not have the electorates interests at heart. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to take the view that the very act of voting itself signifies tacit acceptance of and subjugation by the system. Imagine if NOBODY voted. Can you think of a more powerful way for the electorate to signal that wanted REAL change? |
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 21:23:05 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to say I disagree with this strongly. It is perfectly valid to hold the opinion that the republicans and democrats (and conservative/labour over here) are nothing more than 2 cheeks of the same arse and the democratic system is actually nothing but a con invented by would be dictators who realised some time ago that they could hold on to power indefinitely by fooling people into thinking that they actually have a choice. One thing you can be certain of - anyone who agets as far as to be nominated for president certainly has some very powerful and shady people behind them who definitley do not have the electorates interests at heart. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to take the view that the very act of voting itself signifies tacit acceptance of and subjugation by the system. Imagine if NOBODY voted. Can you think of a more powerful way for the electorate to signal that wanted REAL change? Take a stand. Don't vote!
B*llocks you go in and spoil your ballot paper, as that is an actively exercising your right to not choose any of the candidates.
And if no-one voted I imagine that this would be interpreted as the status quo was fine, and the existing party would remain in power.
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to say I disagree with this strongly. It is perfectly valid to hold the opinion that the republicans and democrats (and conservative/labour over here) are nothing more than 2 cheeks of the same arse and the democratic system is actually nothing but a con invented by would be dictators who realised some time ago that they could hold on to power indefinitely by fooling people into thinking that they actually have a choice. One thing you can be certain of - anyone who agets as far as to be nominated for president certainly has some very powerful and shady people behind them who definitley do not have the electorates interests at heart. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to take the view that the very act of voting itself signifies tacit acceptance of and subjugation by the system. Imagine if NOBODY voted. Can you think of a more powerful way for the electorate to signal that wanted REAL change? Take a stand. Don't vote! B*llocks you go in and spoil your ballot paper, as that is an actively exercising your right to not choose any of the candidates. And if no-one voted I imagine that this would be interpreted as the status quo was fine, and the existing party would remain in power. |
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Heavyconsumer
Junior Member
Posts โข 4,974
Likes โข 5
February 2008
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by Heavyconsumer on Nov 4, 2008 21:29:17 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would someone who lacks confidence in both parties/candidates use/lose their time to to spoil a ballot paper?
I find this attitude very interesting, because I live in Brazil where not voting is actually illegal and I find this undemocratic. It's exactly because people who don't understand the decision they are making are forced to vote, that an uneducated thief ends up in power (although to be fair, here they are all thieves  ).
If people lack the understanding to make an informed and considered decision, why on earth should they be pressured to vote? Surely such votes do not benefit those informed voters who've reasoned and decided their choice, based on policy?
Personally I would exercise my right not to vote unless I were able to make an informed, carefully considered decision. Why does that make me a disgrace?
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would someone who lacks confidence in both parties/candidates use/lose their time to to spoil a ballot paper? I find this attitude very interesting, because I live in Brazil where not voting is actually illegal and I find this undemocratic. It's exactly because people who don't understand the decision they are making are forced to vote, that an uneducated thief ends up in power (although to be fair, here they are all thieves ). If people lack the understanding to make an informed and considered decision, why on earth should they be pressured to vote? Surely such votes do not benefit those informed voters who've reasoned and decided their choice, based on policy? Personally I would exercise my right not to vote unless I were able to make an informed, carefully considered decision. Why does that make me a disgrace? |
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spirit
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,956
Likes โข 516
August 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by spirit on Nov 4, 2008 21:30:14 GMT 1, Fair enough. I guess spoiling your ballot paper might be a better solution.
Not sure you're right on the second point. Candidates have to win seats to be put in power and if no one voted, or everyone spoiled their votes, seats could not be won. I think they would probably order a re-vote.
Fair enough. I guess spoiling your ballot paper might be a better solution.
Not sure you're right on the second point. Candidates have to win seats to be put in power and if no one voted, or everyone spoiled their votes, seats could not be won. I think they would probably order a re-vote.
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RYCA
Artist
New Member
Posts โข 717
Likes โข 129
September 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by RYCA on Nov 4, 2008 21:31:00 GMT 1, for fucks sake vote obama!
for fucks sake vote obama!
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spirit
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,956
Likes โข 516
August 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by spirit on Nov 4, 2008 21:34:56 GMT 1, Having said all that, and while I "actively" don't vote here for the reason stated above, if I were american I would probably vote for obama now. Not because I think he is really any better - but because of the ray of (probably misplaced) hope it would give people (at least for a while).
Having said all that, and while I "actively" don't vote here for the reason stated above, if I were american I would probably vote for obama now. Not because I think he is really any better - but because of the ray of (probably misplaced) hope it would give people (at least for a while).
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bonesy
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,387
Likes โข 264
July 2006
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by manchestermike on Nov 4, 2008 21:38:00 GMT 1, Having said all that, and while I "actively" don't vote here for the reason stated above, if I were american I would probably vote for obama now. Not because I think he is really any better - but because of the ray of (probably misplaced) hope it would give people (at least for a while).
That's the key thing for me... IF he wins it then give it 6 months and the people will realise that they wanted hope, but were conned by HYPE
Having said all that, and while I "actively" don't vote here for the reason stated above, if I were american I would probably vote for obama now. Not because I think he is really any better - but because of the ray of (probably misplaced) hope it would give people (at least for a while). That's the key thing for me... IF he wins it then give it 6 months and the people will realise that they wanted hope, but were conned by HYPE |
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spirit
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,956
Likes โข 516
August 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by spirit on Nov 4, 2008 21:46:40 GMT 1, Having said all that, and while I "actively" don't vote here for the reason stated above, if I were american I would probably vote for obama now. Not because I think he is really any better - but because of the ray of (probably misplaced) hope it would give people (at least for a while). That's the key thing for me... IF he wins it then give it 6 months and the people will realise that they wanted hope, but were conned by HYPE
exactly.
Having said all that, and while I "actively" don't vote here for the reason stated above, if I were american I would probably vote for obama now. Not because I think he is really any better - but because of the ray of (probably misplaced) hope it would give people (at least for a while). That's the key thing for me... IF he wins it then give it 6 months and the people will realise that they wanted hope, but were conned by HYPE exactly. |
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 21:47:08 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Personally I would exercise my right not to vote unless I were able to make an informed, carefully considered decision. Why does that make me a disgrace?
For me this is about the action of casting a vote in itself, and not who you choose to vote for, and for this reason I absoutely agree that to not vote is a crime.
Voting for the wrong candidate through mis-education is a totally seperate issue, at least you have that choice to make. And you could also argue that incredibly educated people get taken in by media campaigns and make mis-informed choices (also based on family history and years of built up prejudice) and also vote for the wrong reasons, but they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. It is too important a right to ignore and not participate in
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Personally I would exercise my right not to vote unless I were able to make an informed, carefully considered decision. Why does that make me a disgrace? For me this is about the action of casting a vote in itself, and not who you choose to vote for, and for this reason I absoutely agree that to not vote is a crime. Voting for the wrong candidate through mis-education is a totally seperate issue, at least you have that choice to make. And you could also argue that incredibly educated people get taken in by media campaigns and make mis-informed choices (also based on family history and years of built up prejudice) and also vote for the wrong reasons, but they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. It is too important a right to ignore and not participate in |
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skelly
New Member
Posts โข 616
Likes โข 0
February 2008
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by skelly on Nov 4, 2008 21:48:00 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dunno about that, personally I got my ass out and voted....but I think a lot of people are just uninterested or uninformed, and if this is the case leave the voting for those who have done research and know more about a candidate than a party label. I know far too many who's decisions would prove my point
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dunno about that, personally I got my ass out and voted....but I think a lot of people are just uninterested or uninformed, and if this is the case leave the voting for those who have done research and know more about a candidate than a party label. I know far too many who's decisions would prove my point |
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pfffffffffft
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,472
Likes โข 1,017
July 2008
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by pfffffffffft on Nov 4, 2008 21:49:19 GMT 1, I voted. Took this shot in the voting booth this morning.
I voted. Took this shot in the voting booth this morning. |
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brun
New Member
Posts โข 879
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December 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by brun on Nov 4, 2008 21:51:54 GMT 1, why should you vote if you dont like the candidates ? they dont represent everyone , in saying that i hope its a top turnout and barack will wipe the smile off the neo - cons fat faces ! wish we had a half decent eloquent candidate over here who is not old public school and completely out of touch with the people !
why should you vote if you dont like the candidates ? they dont represent everyone , in saying that i hope its a top turnout and barack will wipe the smile off the neo - cons fat faces ! wish we had a half decent eloquent candidate over here who is not old public school and completely out of touch with the people !
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 21:54:03 GMT 1, If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dunno about that, personally I got my ass out and voted....but I think a lot of people are just uninterested or uninformed, and if this is the case leave the voting for those who have done research and know more about a candidate than a party label. I know far too many who's decisions would prove my point
How many are truly informed, and how many believe that they are? Again this has nothing to do with the right to cast vote and indicate your choice.
Lots of people believe they are informed, but most people fail to view their own backyard objectively and tend to hear what they want.
If you're a US citizen and you don't exercise you're right to vote today you are a disgrace. Even if it's just to spoil you're ballot paper, it is your absolute duty to cast your vote for whomver you want to run your country. It is a huge pet hate of mine when people can't be bothered. You have the right, so exercise it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dunno about that, personally I got my ass out and voted....but I think a lot of people are just uninterested or uninformed, and if this is the case leave the voting for those who have done research and know more about a candidate than a party label. I know far too many who's decisions would prove my point How many are truly informed, and how many believe that they are? Again this has nothing to do with the right to cast vote and indicate your choice. Lots of people believe they are informed, but most people fail to view their own backyard objectively and tend to hear what they want. |
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spirit
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,956
Likes โข 516
August 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by spirit on Nov 4, 2008 21:58:57 GMT 1, Personally I would exercise my right not to vote unless I were able to make an informed, carefully considered decision. Why does that make me a disgrace? For me this is about the action of casting a vote in itself, and not who you choose to vote for, and for this reason I absoutely agree that to not vote is a crime. Voting for the wrong candidate through mis-education is a totally seperate issue, at least you have that choice to make. And you could also argue that incredibly educated people get taken in by media campaigns and make mis-informed choices (also based on family history and years of built up prejudice) and also vote for the wrong reasons, but they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. It is too important a right to ignore and not participate in
I think FORCING people to vote is a crime.
Think about it. If you were coming up with a cunning plan to stay in power for much longer than the historical average for a dictator, the current system is almost perfect. Making it a CRIME not to vote is the icing on the cake. Give people a choice of 2 parties (who are for the most part indistinguishable) and then FORCE them to pick one. Please explain how real and radical change happen in that scenario?
Criminalise anyone who sees the system for what it is and therefore chooses not to participate in it. Great idea!
Personally I would exercise my right not to vote unless I were able to make an informed, carefully considered decision. Why does that make me a disgrace? For me this is about the action of casting a vote in itself, and not who you choose to vote for, and for this reason I absoutely agree that to not vote is a crime. Voting for the wrong candidate through mis-education is a totally seperate issue, at least you have that choice to make. And you could also argue that incredibly educated people get taken in by media campaigns and make mis-informed choices (also based on family history and years of built up prejudice) and also vote for the wrong reasons, but they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. It is too important a right to ignore and not participate in I think FORCING people to vote is a crime. Think about it. If you were coming up with a cunning plan to stay in power for much longer than the historical average for a dictator, the current system is almost perfect. Making it a CRIME not to vote is the icing on the cake. Give people a choice of 2 parties (who are for the most part indistinguishable) and then FORCE them to pick one. Please explain how real and radical change happen in that scenario? Criminalise anyone who sees the system for what it is and therefore chooses not to participate in it. Great idea! |
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 22:02:54 GMT 1, For me this is about the action of casting a vote in itself, and not who you choose to vote for, and for this reason I absoutely agree that to not vote is a crime. Voting for the wrong candidate through mis-education is a totally seperate issue, at least you have that choice to make. And you could also argue that incredibly educated people get taken in by media campaigns and make mis-informed choices (also based on family history and years of built up prejudice) and also vote for the wrong reasons, but they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. It is too important a right to ignore and not participate in I think FORCING people to vote is a crime. Think about it. If you were coming up with a cunning plan to stay in power for much longer than the historical average for a dictator, the current system is almost perfect. Making it a CRIME not to vote is the icing on the cake. Give people a choice of 2 parties (who are for the most part indistinguishable) and then FORCE them to pick one. Please explain how real and radical change happen in that scenario? Criminalise anyone who sees the system for what it is and therefore chooses not to participate in it. Great idea!
Sorry I didn't mean in a literal sense more a metaphorical sense to not vote is a crime. I don't believe to criminalise an individual for not voting is right, you need to have other methods of impressing upon society the importance of casting a vote
For me this is about the action of casting a vote in itself, and not who you choose to vote for, and for this reason I absoutely agree that to not vote is a crime. Voting for the wrong candidate through mis-education is a totally seperate issue, at least you have that choice to make. And you could also argue that incredibly educated people get taken in by media campaigns and make mis-informed choices (also based on family history and years of built up prejudice) and also vote for the wrong reasons, but they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. It is too important a right to ignore and not participate in I think FORCING people to vote is a crime. Think about it. If you were coming up with a cunning plan to stay in power for much longer than the historical average for a dictator, the current system is almost perfect. Making it a CRIME not to vote is the icing on the cake. Give people a choice of 2 parties (who are for the most part indistinguishable) and then FORCE them to pick one. Please explain how real and radical change happen in that scenario? Criminalise anyone who sees the system for what it is and therefore chooses not to participate in it. Great idea! Sorry I didn't mean in a literal sense more a metaphorical sense to not vote is a crime. I don't believe to criminalise an individual for not voting is right, you need to have other methods of impressing upon society the importance of casting a vote |
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spirit
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,956
Likes โข 516
August 2007
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by spirit on Nov 4, 2008 22:05:01 GMT 1, they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. This idea that you have any say whatsoever in the running of your country is delusional. You have no real say because the extremely limited choices you are given are carefully controlled and essentially the same.
they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. This idea that you have any say whatsoever in the running of your country is delusional. You have no real say because the extremely limited choices you are given are carefully controlled and essentially the same. |
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shaunyboy
New Member
Posts โข 559
Likes โข 38
March 2008
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by shaunyboy on Nov 4, 2008 23:08:22 GMT 1, they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. This idea that you have any say whatsoever in the running of your country is delusional. You have no real say because the extremely limited choices you are given are carefully controlled and essentially the same. Spot on Mate! ;D PS Vote Obama just in case he will be slightly better than the Republicans.
they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. This idea that you have any say whatsoever in the running of your country is delusional. You have no real say because the extremely limited choices you are given are carefully controlled and essentially the same. Spot on Mate! ;D PS Vote Obama just in case he will be slightly better than the Republicans. |
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by onemandown72 on Nov 4, 2008 23:30:41 GMT 1, they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. This idea that you have any say whatsoever in the running of your country is delusional. You have no real say because the extremely limited choices you are given are carefully controlled and essentially the same. I'm far from deluded when it comes to the mechanics of government, and where real power lies. The point I'm making is about the ability to exercise choice, be it for the candidates on a ballot paper, or the choice to actively ignore them. As you yourself pointed out earlier if the entire electorate chose to spoil their ballot papers then what would that say about how the country was run? It would clearly have an impact. Now whilst the above is incredibly unlikely to happen the power to vote does impart influence, however controlled and however slim that influence may be. Change is also incredibly gradual, and not or never voting ensures that change happens at an even slower pace. Take the US election, the likelihood is that Obama will win and this will usher in a honeymoon period and then who knows. The important factor here is that unlike in many other countries around the world people do have the opportunity to choose a different government, and can register either their satisfaction with the current regime, or vote for change. Now whilst the reality of how the country is actually run may change very little in the short term, the result will register with the power brokers who will then alter their methods to maintain their power, and this is how change is affected through an electoral system.
they still have that right to have an active say in the running of their country. This idea that you have any say whatsoever in the running of your country is delusional. You have no real say because the extremely limited choices you are given are carefully controlled and essentially the same. I'm far from deluded when it comes to the mechanics of government, and where real power lies. The point I'm making is about the ability to exercise choice, be it for the candidates on a ballot paper, or the choice to actively ignore them. As you yourself pointed out earlier if the entire electorate chose to spoil their ballot papers then what would that say about how the country was run? It would clearly have an impact. Now whilst the above is incredibly unlikely to happen the power to vote does impart influence, however controlled and however slim that influence may be. Change is also incredibly gradual, and not or never voting ensures that change happens at an even slower pace. Take the US election, the likelihood is that Obama will win and this will usher in a honeymoon period and then who knows. The important factor here is that unlike in many other countries around the world people do have the opportunity to choose a different government, and can register either their satisfaction with the current regime, or vote for change. Now whilst the reality of how the country is actually run may change very little in the short term, the result will register with the power brokers who will then alter their methods to maintain their power, and this is how change is affected through an electoral system. |
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dmandpenfold
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,466
Likes โข 10
December 2006
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IF YOU CAN VOTE, YOU MUST VOTE , by dmandpenfold on Nov 4, 2008 23:42:19 GMT 1, interesting... i lived in Australia for many years, not voting got you a fine, so naturally Australia tends to have a relatively healthy turn out. I live in the UK at present where (from memory) there was a council election on the Isle of Dogs, the turnout was shoddy and the BNP came to power, suddenly everyone complained and were up in arms demanding a new vote, however they had no leg to stand on, democratic principles and the electoral laws had been followed just like any other election, had the complainers been bothered to vote in the first place the BNP would not have got in power.
Point is we do nothing, then b**ch and moan when we discover we dont like what someone else decided in our absence
interesting... i lived in Australia for many years, not voting got you a fine, so naturally Australia tends to have a relatively healthy turn out. I live in the UK at present where (from memory) there was a council election on the Isle of Dogs, the turnout was shoddy and the BNP came to power, suddenly everyone complained and were up in arms demanding a new vote, however they had no leg to stand on, democratic principles and the electoral laws had been followed just like any other election, had the complainers been bothered to vote in the first place the BNP would not have got in power.
Point is we do nothing, then b**ch and moan when we discover we dont like what someone else decided in our absence
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