Why I do not vote

**j10asen** · 09-25-2006, 02:25 PM

I am not talking anyone particular candidiate or party or office but politics as a whole.
Read this article published yesterday

Any one candidate can point fingers at another but a topic like this is of concern to all not any one given person ,party or State!!!!

And then they woder why people give up on the political process!!! :cry:

exerts
"The lakes — Superior, Huron, Erie, Michigan and Ontario — make up 95 percent of the fresh water in the United States, provide drinking water to 25 million people, and help produce a third of the nation's gross state product."

"Congress appears likely to adjourn this year without adopting a sweeping Great Lakes restoration plan aimed at slowing the escalating environmental degradation of the giant waterways."

see article

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbc...0101/609240543

Crys · 09-26-2006, 01:45 PM

Actually, this is why I DO vote.

Usually it revolves around voting for someone who's not the incumbent.

If everyone made a vow to vote, and to vote for someone who's not the incumbent (unless they actually think the incumbent does a good job. For instance, I would vote for Feingold again), then we could really start to see some changes.

The problem is that too many people have bought into the illusion that the current politicians want the public to believe, that the public really has no say and you should just vote for A or B or don't bother voting because your vote is "wasted". I call bull on it. The only wasted vote is one that is cast for someone you don't believe would do a good job.

**j10asen** · 09-26-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crys

Actually, this is why I DO vote.

Usually it revolves around voting for someone who's not the incumbent.

If everyone made a vow to vote, and to vote for someone who's not the incumbent (unless they actually think the incumbent does a good job. For instance, I would vote for Feingold again), then we could really start to see some changes.

The problem is that too many people have bought into the illusion that the current politicians want the public to believe, that the public really has no say and you should just vote for A or B or don't bother voting because your vote is "wasted". I call bull on it. The only wasted vote is one that is cast for someone you don't believe would do a good job.

Crys
Name one politition that campaigns without pointing fingers at his opponent. They are so busy pointing fingers none of them offer solutions. Then make of count of those and look at the big picture of who stays in office.
They all know the count on any given issue and for some reason they are ignoring issues such as Water quality/Global warming etc. So most can go back to their constituants and say "yes I would vote for that if it was brought forward" but of course it has not been proposed so they are off the hook. :cry:

"They" meaning anyone in Congress or the House.

kmfarm · 09-26-2006, 08:29 PM

I believe voting is important also. I also understand the feeling of "my vote doesn't matter because they're all crooked". But even if you vote for an independant or a write in, you've made your vote and it matters. Don't forget the importance of your local officials. Your mayor, town chairman, school board members, alderman, county officials, etc, can take more money out of your pocket than the feds.

It all matters and the little guys can cost you as much as the big guys.

I say vote.

Mark

**j10asen** · 09-27-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmfarm

I believe voting is important also. I also understand the feeling of "my vote doesn't matter because they're all crooked". But even if you vote for an independant or a write in, you've made your vote and it matters. Don't forget the importance of your local officials. Your mayor, town chairman, school board members, alderman, county officials, etc, can take more money out of your pocket than the feds.

It all matters and the little guys can cost you as much as the big guys.

I say vote.

Mark

Do any of you remeber high school? It has been a very long time for me but I can use the anaolgy.

were you a geek?
a Jock?
a social climber?
or someone who transfered into a new school from another city?

remeber how difficult it was to associate your self with a differnt group?

The same applies in politics and the two party system.

If you actaully think an idependant can accomplish any goals look at Jimmy Carter. He was an outsider, how difficult was it for him? Id say he made a much better ex-President than a President. This shows me that he a man to be admired but did not play the game, and while he could not work with his peers, alone he shines like a star.

So what does that tell you about politics?

The same good ole boys club in action, time and time again.
I would never tell people NOT to vote, I just gave up because I could not find a candidate.

Is the governor of a State a hero when he lures a company into his state by promissing incentives to the owners thus creating new jobs while others are losing the same jobs?

Crys · 09-27-2006, 12:19 PM

If you vote, even if you vote for a write in and you're the only one who wrote that person in, you are still adding your voice to the voice of the entire district. Every person who votes adds to the total number of votes. If everyone voted -- and voted for who they think would do a good job, not who has the biggest advertising budget -- these politicians that everyone thinks are so entrenched would only be getting maybe 20% of the vote. That may still get the office if that's the person with the most votes, but a candidate who wins on 20% is going to pay more attention to their constituents than one who knows that the only people voting them in or out are their own supporters so they know they'll get 70% of the people who vote. They count on the people who are disgusted with the system not voting! You (and everyone else who doesn't vote for that reason, which is about 60% of the country) are doing what they expect and want you to do!

If you don't see any candidates for the position you think would do a good job, ask people to write you in. Run for office yourself.

rudedog · 10-14-2006, 08:36 PM

i agree with crys on this. no vote allows them to continue doing whatever they want. a large turnout sends a message. especially when the majority doesnt vote for any of the people who actually ran. personally i have always attempted to make it to the polls, not because im into politics, but because i cant justify complaining about who is in office if i didnt at least vote. believe me alot of times i really kick myself later for voting for someone who doesnt lead the way i thought he would, but at least you participated. everytime i hear clintons name i want to crawl in a hole, and pretend i knew nothing about it. he did however open my eyes to the reality of american politics.

here in kenosha i have in the past ran for mayor as a write in. ive done this just to send a message, if a guy named rudedog is taking your votes,something is definitly wrong. this time ive had a couple people ask me to run for real. wont happen, its funnyer when you dont have to be serious.
but im playing with the idea of going back to school to learn about politics. gives me more ammo for future runs. till then.....

Rudedog for Governer

i intend on making gun deer season a mandatory state holiday, no work, no school, no peta meetings. the stores all have to have clearance sales, and the yoopers and polka is the only thing allowed on the radio, besides the weather. ok maybe a d.n.r. update on a state wide big buck contest will be allowed.

dont forget on election day, wear blaze orange in support of rudedog, and leave the guns at home! "yeah, armed voters and politicians, not a good mix." definitly leave the guns at home! i plan on running for office! not for my life!

oh yeah, i almost forgot! writing anyone in for governer works, since they dont usually list the names of the write-in's i take full credit for all of them. its really sweet the way it works out.

krazzydart · 10-15-2006, 08:12 AM

Well I DO MY part... I vote !!!!! I feel everyone should do there part... I sometimes go out and here people Bitc_ & Moan about certain political parties or things. I ask them "DID YOU VOTE?" ... They say "NO!" then I'll say shut up you have NO right to complain ... you did not do you duty as an american.
Also people can write and complain to their seneters and congress men and to get other people involved. Get a grassroots so to speak going. Stand up and be heard.
This is the first time I heard of the water situation myself... I'll send it to all my friends, and also to my congressman and express my views on it.
So without YOU I would not know about it as well as maybe alot of other people that are concerned with the water they drink and so on... so for this I commend you and say THANKS.....