Am I wrong to NOT vote?

[RhymesayersDU]

I posted a while ago in the main forum that I know absolutely zip about politics. I want to learn, but so far it hasn't really happened.

My problem with the whole voting deal right now (I'm 20, this is the first election I've been able to vote) is that all I hear is "You gotta go vote!" My good friend told me to vote just the other night in fact.

It's not that I don't want to vote, but the fact is, I'm not going to vote if I know nothing about the issues. I'm tired of seeing MTV telling me to "Rock The Vote" and I'm irritated that these rockers are telling people to vote against Bush all the time. It's not their political view that irritate me, but that they're telling kids who know nothing of the issues to go out and vote without doing research.

Am I wrong here? Should I go vote? I mean, if MTV really wanted me to vote, they'd put some news on the election on their network instead of Real World marathons every day. So far, nothing has really excited me to learn about the issues facing the country. I don't know how I feel about abortion, I don't know how I feel about the war, and I don't know how I feel about capital punishment. I know even less about the economy.

As of this point, I refuse to "Rock The Vote." Is this wrong?

[bendog]

read atlantic monthly, the national review and christian science monitor. they're sites are free and most of it is online

[Spider]

If you dont vote for President , at least vote on the local level , cnontact the local people running in your area , ask them the same question I ask ....... I always ask where do you see Wyoiming in 10 years from now , and what steps are you going to take to get there ......... Of course you dont want to ask where do they see Wyoming in 10 years , you would put your state in the question ;D

[Saulbadguy]

My vote doesn't even count in Kansas. I might as well stay home, but oh well. Nothing better to do.

[alkemical]

you have int'l sites like the bbc, the guardian.co.uk -

strike-the-root.com

free

i read all kinds - pro-right like newsmax, and pro left like commondreams.org

try to balance what you read.

[Spider]

It's not that I don't want to vote, but the fact is, I'm not going to vote if I know nothing about the issues. I'm tired of seeing MTV telling me to "Rock The Vote" and I'm irritated that these rockers are telling people to vote against Bush all the time. It's not their political view that irritate me, but that they're telling kids who know nothing of the issues to go out and vote without doing research.

Am I wrong here? Should I go vote? I mean, if MTV really wanted me to vote, they'd put some news on the election on their network instead of Real World marathons every day. So far, nothing has really excited me to learn about the issues facing the country. I don't know how I feel about abortion, I don't know how I feel about the war, and I don't know how I feel about capital punishment. I know even less about the economy.

?
`There is no easy answer to your question , and while MTV heart is in the right place , but simply saying vote against Bush isnt right , all I can tell you is go to these guys web sites , read where they are on the Issues , and vote for the one that you agree with the most ........ If you find yourself agreeing with Bush , then by all means vote for Bush , if you find that you agree with Kerry , Nader , etc .. then by all means vote for them , See there is no right or wrong here , Bush economics has Merits , as well as does Kerrys , Naders economics has Merits ..... It all depends on what you agree with ...... Thats the way it is on every issue ...............

[plummerrox]

Take some time and read what you can. It's important to be a part of the process. It's a right that shouldn't be taken for granted. People die for it.

[Spider]

My vote doesn't even count in Kansas. I might as well stay home, but oh well. Nothing better to do.
Ha! I can relate I am a Democrat in Wyoming .........

[bendog]

yeah, but neither party wants to do like Neb and Maine and send in the electoral votes on a % basis of popular vote. Still, I always find a local issue to vote about. Or at least I vote against Trent Lott

[enjolras]

You can make a very compelling economic argument that voting is for stupid people:)

[Spider]

yeah, but neither party wants to do like Neb and Maine and send in the electoral votes on a % basis of popular vote. Still, I always find a local issue to vote about. Or at least I vote against Trent Lott
on our local Issue here , we just spent a few Mill Building a Golf course , a Big one , while we are in the Middle of a drought , meanwhile our Family courts systems are on a 8 month back log , Now they want to raise tax by 1 cent to build a new court house ....... I would have voted for the Raise in a heartbeat , if it wasnt for them building that Damn golf course .... They lost my vote on the tax increase , I feel for the single Mothers that have to wait 8 months to get child support , but damn I cant go along with what our city leaders did .......

[alkemical]

i think i'm going to vote against cheney.... don't tell ashcroft

[kappys]

No. Don't vote. But then don't complain about what our leaders are doing. If you are truly apathetic, and couldn't care less whether Kerry, Bush, or a 3rd party candidate leads this country then you have no reason to go vote. It would be a waste of your time.

[Blueflame]

IMO, voting is not just a right; it's a civic duty... and failure to stand up and be counted allows a small percentage of the eligible electorate to dictate who our leaders will be; what initiatives will pass, etc.

While it's understandable to feel that one voter may not make a difference, in local elections, races sometimes do come down to a mere handful of votes.

Registered voters should be receiving a voter's pamphlet soon... and while it can be tedious reading, it does contain pretty much all the information one needs to make an educated choice in the voting booth... thus, it's worth the effort. ;D

[Saulbadguy]

IMO, voting is not just a right; it's a civic duty...
So is revolution when the government is corrupt beyond its means.

[FADERPROOF]

I posted a while ago in the main forum that I know absolutely zip about politics. I want to learn, but so far it hasn't really happened.

My problem with the whole voting deal right now (I'm 20, this is the first election I've been able to vote) is that all I hear is "You gotta go vote!" My good friend told me to vote just the other night in fact.

It's not that I don't want to vote, but the fact is, I'm not going to vote if I know nothing about the issues. I'm tired of seeing MTV telling me to "Rock The Vote" and I'm irritated that these rockers are telling people to vote against Bush all the time. It's not their political view that irritate me, but that they're telling kids who know nothing of the issues to go out and vote without doing research.

Am I wrong here? Should I go vote? I mean, if MTV really wanted me to vote, they'd put some news on the election on their network instead of Real World marathons every day. So far, nothing has really excited me to learn about the issues facing the country. I don't know how I feel about abortion, I don't know how I feel about the war, and I don't know how I feel about capital punishment. I know even less about the economy.

As of this point, I refuse to "Rock The Vote." Is this wrong?

This is my 1st election that I can vote for president(missed the last one by 6 months), and I honestly can't wait to vote. My best input is that you just endulge yourself in a bunch of unbiased(as much as possible) news articles that you can. Don't let LABF influence you, don't like Mock influence you, they have their minds made up and are merely exchanging blows with one another about it. Listening to them would be like trying to make up your mind about abortion and listening to a diehard pro-choice and diehard anti-abortion person go at it. Nothing against them, infact it's good that they have and know their differences, but to someone that is trying to learn, they aren't the type to turn to. Find news coverage, new articles, watch DNC and RNC on TV, listen to each presidential candidate talk, and make up your mind from there.

To say a vote doesn't count is just wrong. It's not about your state winning, but it's about talking a stand and voting for someone and/or something you truly want. I'm lucky to live in Ohio because we're a big time swing state, but it doesn't mean that if I was a rep in California that I would just say screw it.

These last 4 years have shown that a lot of **** happens in 4 years, as the last 4 years before that has shown, and the last 4 years before that has shown and on and on. It may not seem to affect you and the results may be subtle at times, but choosing a President affects all of us every single day, and in choosing not to vote takes away your ability to bitch about those changes that affect you and people around you.

I was also concerned about MTV doing the rock the vote as their slogan was "vote for something." What is "something?" It makes it seem acceptable to vote for anything you feel like, just register, close your eyes and make a pick and you've done your job. It's not just vote for something, it's get into the election process, take a stand and make your mind up, then vote not just for something but vote for who you want.

[Nick C.]

here is how I look at it, if you are not political and live you're life without worrying about any of the issues that do effect you're life more power to you no need to vote, but if you are not voteing because of ignorance on the issues then just do some research yourself and see who you're views are more intune with and vote that way.

As for the whole "Rock the vote" thing I kind of agree that it is weird to have pop starts telling kids to vote against bush when they are just doing it cause they like there Music and movies. yet at the same time as I see it the older masses have been brain washed into our current state of affairs so it is fair for the Pop starts to use there influance to balance it out a bit.

[orinjkrush]

do it. pray hard, then make your way to the polling place and go thru the process. then step inside and pray again and do what your heart says. go for it.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Am I wrong to NOT vote?

America is (was?) a free country where you have the right to not participate in democracy.

If, however, you choose not to participate, then you forfeit the right to complain about those decisions made by others on your behalf, IMO.

http://www.bartcop.com/flippy-bush.gif

[Saulbadguy]

Am I wrong to NOT vote?

America is (was?) a free country where you have the right to not participate in democracy.

If, however, you choose not to participate, then you forfeit the right to complain about those decisions made by others on your behalf, IMO.

http://www.bartcop.com/flippy-bush.gif
Unless you voted for the guy in office. Then you have no right to bitch and moan, you voted him in there in the first place.

[Evenrude]

The Right Not to Vote (http://www.savethehumans.com/culturebashing/editorial/right_not_to_vote/index.shtml)

[RhymesayersDU]

My best input is that you just endulge yourself in a bunch of unbiased(as much as possible) news articles that you can.

Can you name any Magazines/Newspapers/Websties to read, TV networks to watch, etc?

[cbs1177]

What you should do is really consider what issue is most important to you. Then make a list in which you put them in order of most important to you. could have one isssue or 1,177 issues. Then research or listen to the upcoming debates and vote according to which candiate leans more to how you feel. I love election years and I am diehard civics lover. That is the best answer I think there is. Not opinions of other famous people.

[RhymesayersDU]

What you should do is really consider what issue is most important to you. Then make a list in which you put them in order of most important to you. could have one isssue or 1,177 issues. Then research or listen to the upcoming debates and vote according to which candiate leans more to how you feel. I love election years and I am diehard civics lover. That is the best answer I think there is. Not opinions of other famous people.
Ooooh the debates. To be honest, I'm not sure what's important to me. But I will make it a point to watch the debates. Thanks!

[cbs1177]

Well, the debates are some what of a series of sound bites but seriously you have to know what is important to you in order to make an inform decision. The debates may not be the best avenue to take towards reaching your decision but look at the papers and web sites that at least try to be unbias. I would not check out Micheal Moore web site for a decision about Bush just for example. I am really trying not to be bias b/c I vote strictly along party lines but if one canidate erks in an issue that is important to you then don't vote for them

[Rock Chalk]

So is revolution when the government is corrupt beyond its means.

When does that happen and who decides?

For all governments are corrupt, even ours, since its inception.

[kappys]

When does that happen and who decides?

For all governments are corrupt, even ours, since its inception.

The victor decides, as always.

Remember its not a revolution if you lose, its a rebellion.

[Crushaholic]

Since you obviously have access to the internet, you have no excuse to be informed. In fact, why not go to the sources themselves?

www.georgewbush.com
www.johnkerry.com

Just to list the two major candidates....there are more people running for president than those two...

[OrangeDoofus]

If you aren't convinced that you should vote for one of the two major candidates, then by all means look into the minor parties like the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, and the others.

If you reach November 2nd and you still haven't decided who to vote for for President, then I think there's nothing wrong with leaving that choice blank on the ballot. But you should still take a little time to look into the candidates for the state and local offices. In many ways, these people can potentially have a much greater effect on your day-to-day life than the national-level candidates.

[Nick C.]

The victor decides, as always.

Remember its not a revolution if you lose, its a rebellion.
Exactly!

[Crushaholic]

A true revolution would be to change the system of government (i.e. eliminate one or both chambers of Congress to give the executive branch more power, upsetting the checks and balances). Voting someone out of office and replacing them with someone new is still working within the democratic system that the founding fathers set up for America.