The title of this thread says it all. I disagree with the statement. I've been discussing the subject with some friends. Does it have any potential for us here?
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The title of this thread says it all. I disagree with the statement. I've been discussing the subject with some friends. Does it have any potential for us here?
I absolutely agree with the statement that if you do not vote, then you have no right to complain. How hard is it to vote? You register one time and then you go and vote once every two years. It takes 10-15 minutes after you get out of work for the day. If both parties are garbage, then you go into the booth and vote present. The republic is based on citizens who do more than just use politics as a punchline.Originally Posted by Mike
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"When I entered Republican politics during an earlier period of malaise, in the late seventies and early eighties, the movement got most of the big questions -- crime, inflation, the Cold War -- right. This time, the party is getting the big questions disastrously wrong."
"In the aftershock of 2008, large numbers of Americans feel exploited and abused. Rather than workable solutions, my party is offering low taxes for the currently rich and high spending for the currently old, to be followed by who-knows-what and who-the-hell-cares. This isn't conservatism; it's a going-out-of-business sale for the baby-boom generation."
- David Frum, former speech writer for George W. Bush
"This is just ridiculous. I never thought as an economist I would have to spend so much time doing political analysis."
- Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial
Finally, WEB, something we disagree on. No question that voting is no sweat in all but a small number of situations. No question that it's a good, patriotic thing to do. No question that every citizen should perceive it as a "duty." (Not sure how one goes about voting "present.") But I perceive complaining as a form of expression and thus as free speech. I don't see how one's freedom to say what one thinks should be contingent upon taking a good, patriotic, dutiful action, or suppressed by failure to take such action.
Wow, so you're going to take it literally when I agree with your phrasing that "if you don't vote, you have no right to complain"?
Read the Forum Rules
"When I entered Republican politics during an earlier period of malaise, in the late seventies and early eighties, the movement got most of the big questions -- crime, inflation, the Cold War -- right. This time, the party is getting the big questions disastrously wrong."
"In the aftershock of 2008, large numbers of Americans feel exploited and abused. Rather than workable solutions, my party is offering low taxes for the currently rich and high spending for the currently old, to be followed by who-knows-what and who-the-hell-cares. This isn't conservatism; it's a going-out-of-business sale for the baby-boom generation."
- David Frum, former speech writer for George W. Bush
"This is just ridiculous. I never thought as an economist I would have to spend so much time doing political analysis."
- Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial
People who don't vote have the "right" to express their political opinion it's a matter of whether we respect what they have to say if they don't vote. Voters tend to take non-voters opinions less serious because they aren't willing to make small commitments to further their ideology.
I think if you're shouldering your share of the load by paying income taxes, you have every right to complain, whether you vote or not.
Consider this about the complaints that a voter or a non-voter might make as we evaluate their appropriateness or whether to take them seriously. Suppose you read two complaints and you feel one is well-reasoned and the other is poorly thought out. But you don't happen to know which was written by a voter and which was written by a non-voter. The ramifications seem apparent to me with regard to evaluating the complaint, remark, etc. on its own merits rather than who made it. What do you think about this?
I have never believed that if you don't vote you have no right to complain. This IS America.
Besides, voting is useless. If it did any good, we wouldn't be in this mess.
I prefer a new revolt.
I'm going to guess that you're just venting a little frustration with things. However, the sentiment IS a reason in the minds of many people who choose not to vote, whether I agree with it or not. I have a friend who considers himself a Libertarian and claims he thought both Senator McCain and Senator Obama were lousy choices. I can at least understand that when a voter doesn't like either candidate the attitude can range anywhere from choosing the candidate one dislikes the least to considering abstaining as a means of voting against both. I live in a state where the ballot also contains a retain/don't retain list of something like 40 judges. I've yet to meet a voter who even knew who more than a handful of them even were, let alone feel like it made any difference. So, I can understand where I think you might be coming from.
Many people believe 'if you don't vote, you don't have the right to complainhat'.
I am 68 years old and have only voted once in my life. That was the year I ran in a federal election in the Brandon/Souris riding for the Natural Law Party in Canada.
I believe not voting is as much of a political statement and a democratic right as is voting. I see it as an expression of personal politics, ideals and values. I always follow the election coverage and the platforms of the various parties.
I simply view elections as a spectator sport..... it just takes 4 years or so to play the game.
I think we still live in a country that allows freedon of speech and I don't believe that expressing my personal opinions or political views as complaining or whining.
If others see open political discussion as complaining, then they are free to do so.
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