Poll: Do you Vote?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll: Do you Vote? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=264&ref=forums.macrumors.com)

[Bob Knob]

Yes, but more often than not I wish there was a "none of the above" choice that would ban all of the above from ever running for office again and force a new election with all new candidates.

As for a party affiliation... I think the extreme Left AND extreme Right are destroying the US political system.

[Freg3000]

Nope, I am not old enough yet. But when I turn 18, I am going to be one of those people who votes for everything, even the small positions which people think don't matter.

Voting is such a wonderful privilege and should not be wasted. So many people have had no say in the government for so long in history, and now that right is widely available. Even still, there are some places in world where people can't vote. :(

Democracy is wonderful.

[theipodgod16]

I am not old enough either, and i belive that everyone should be required to vote. Just think about this: fewer then 50 Percent of americans vote. Of those 50 percent, less than half that voted for bush in 2000. That means that less than 25% of people have actually gone out to vote for and support bush, and he still won. Pretty scary huh? (Scary, not to mention criminal that people are too lazy to go down to the booth for 30 mins and vote...

[AhmedFaisal]

... afterwards if things don't go their way. The argument "One vote does not make a difference" doesn't count why? Think of this. In an election for governor there is 6 candidates, your one vote for one candidate cancels out one vote for the 5 others. So your one vote cancels out 5 others. And in elections that are tied and close as most elections are nowadays a couple of "one little vote"s can make the difference. At any rate, not only to vote is important, but to know why you vote and what you vote for. I remember the last presidential elections and people saying there was no difference between Bush and Gore. :confused: The people that said that obviously never bothered to read what those two stood for, the differences were IMHO tremendous (I will not tell who I was for and who I was against). Although I think most stuff that Karl Marx (the "inventor" of the communist ideology) published is a big bunch of BS he said one thing that I believe is true and people should take to heart:

Be informed! Go to vote!

Cheers,

Ahmed

[Exponent]

and i belive that everyone should be required to vote

Aggh! No!!!!!

If you don't take the time and interest to properly study the issues to understand all the consequences, you should definintely stay home.

This is one of the reasons I want voter registration to stay at least about a month ahead of elections. If you aren't aware enough to know the basics of the voting process, you would probably make a very poor voter....

[Chealion]

Not old enough just yet, have 4 more days. Then I'll be voting!

[Nermal]

I haven't been able to, um, vote, in the last 2 polls on this site. It tells me that I've already voted. Anyone know what cookie to delete or whatever, I've deleted everything that looks relevant but it still tells me I've already voted.

[MacSlut]

How about a poll on party affiliation or who we would pick (or are picking) for CA Governor.

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally posted by MacSlut
How about a poll on party affiliation or who we would pick (or are picking) for CA Governor.

I'd vote for Davis to stay in office and if that fails to work out I'd vote for Schwarzenegger since I hate Bustamante's guts and Arnie is the most liberal of the Republican bunch. I personally think the whole recall thing is a shame and should not have happened. Its bad for political culture and should only be used in a real crisis eg. the Governor/President being a criminal (Enron anyone?) and not just because the Republicans have issues with not being in power and democracy as a whole (darn... I did it again)
Cheers,

Ahmed

[alset]

Originally posted by Exponent
If you don't take the time and interest to properly study the issues to understand all the consequences, you should definintely stay home.


Damn straight! I spend a lot of time wading through info about candidates. The time to start educating is now, not three to six months before the election. Sadly, many of my peers (intelligent people who can see the big picture, regarding the good of a people rather than a few) stay home, rather than excessing their voices.

Also worth noting (this may inspire a few people to get out and contribute, but probably not),

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors - Plato

[MacFan26]

Originally posted by theipodgod16
Just think about this: fewer then 50 Percent of americans vote. Of those 50 percent, less than half that voted for bush in 2000. That means that less than 25% of people have actually gone out to vote for and support bush, and he still won. Pretty scary huh?


I'm with you. It's sick the number of people who actually go out there and vote. People used to think that voting was an honorable thing. Now half the people don't even know when we have elections.

[Dahl]

As a green card holder in the USA, I can't vote. But I wish I could, CA does not need Arnold. :)

btw. Looks like presidential candidate Howard Dean is a Apple fan, at least he has a site mimics Apple's "Switch" advertising campaign.
http://www.switch2dean.com/

[Dahl]

Originally posted by Exponent
Aggh! No!!!!!

If you don't take the time and interest to properly study the issues to understand all the consequences, you should definintely stay home.

This is one of the reasons I want voter registration to stay at least about a month ahead of elections. If you aren't aware enough to know the basics of the voting process, you would probably make a very poor voter....
That's the fear in CA right now, many people seem to like Arnold just because they know him from films. That's scary.

[mproud]

Glad to see a lot of supporters.

It's your American right to vote. Show off your patriotism at the polls!

[saint]

Well, if I don't vote, i get fined.

so... Yeah.

[caveman_uk]

I'd quite like a 'none of the above' option as well. Here it's

Conservative-too right wing. Bunch of corporate whores.
Labour-ditto though they pretend to give a damn about people.
Liberal Democrat-Some nice ideas. But as noone thinks they've got a chance of winning noone votes for them - so they don't win.

Billy Connelly once said the desire to be a politician should automatically exclude you from being one.

Having said that I do vote everytime as I think that seeing as how people are prepared to die for that same right around the world I should at least get off my ass and do it.

[Token]

"If you don't take the time and interest to properly study the issues to understand all the consequences, you should definintely stay home. This is one of the reasons I want voter registration to stay at least about a month ahead of elections. If you aren't aware enough to know the basics of the voting process, you would probably make a very poor voter..."

Being non-american (from Denmark, like Anders), I find the US voting system peculiar. Could someone explain why the US still cling to a system where it is neccesary to register before voting?

In Denmark you are automatically 'registered' at birth, getting a personal ID number that last for your life, and with a central database that holds address info connected with ID's. This is very convenient and ensures that most people participate in the political proces.. The normal voting percentage is between 60-90% of the population, depending on the subject of the vote.

[FriarTuck]

I live in Cook County, IL, where even the dead vote. At least twice.

[Ge4-ce]

not to mention the fact that Bush was not voted democratically!.. (you know.. the florida district, where 90% voted All Gore, was not counted properly..

Weird that a man can speak out the words "Our democracy" and "may OUR God bless us" when he does what he wants and says that religion may not be a reason for war.. or that fundamentalists are dangerous because of their faith in THEIR God..

We better call it Hypocrosy in stead of Democracy..

And yes.. DO vote to avoid such an *** becomes your president again..

[Mudbug]

Early and often.

He's tan, rested, and ready.
Carter in 2006.


j/k :D

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally posted by Ge4-ce
not to mention the fact that Bush was not voted democratically!.. (you know.. the florida district, where 90% voted All Gore, was not counted properly..

Weird that a man can speak out the words "Our democracy" and "may OUR God bless us" when he does what he wants and says that religion may not be a reason for war.. or that fundamentalists are dangerous because of their faith in THEIR God..

We better call it Hypocrosy in stead of Democracy..

And yes.. DO vote to avoid such an *** becomes your president again..

You forget that he speakest of god all the time and yet he violated one of the most important of the 10 commandments:

You should not lie!

I ask this, what is worse:

1. Lying that you did not have an affair when you actually did albeit it never affected your conduct in office and was solely a private matter.

2. Lying that there is Weapons of Mass Destructions when there were none and dragging a country into a needless war that got hundreds of your own people and thousands of civilians killed and not even having a plan of how get things back into order afterwards.

:confused:

Ahmed

[bennetsaysargh]

Originally posted by Mudbug
Early and often.

He's tan, rested, and ready.
Carter in 2006.


j/k :D
the next presidential election is in 2004, not 2006.
i can't vote because i'm not 18.
less than 1/4 of the country voted for bush. i think that people who didn't vote and can vote shouldnt be able to complain. i think if you arent llowed to vote, you shoulod be able to voice your opinion.

[Mudbug]

Originally posted by bennetsaysargh
the next presidential election is in 2004, not 2006.
i can't vote because i'm not 18.
less than 1/4 of the country voted for bush. i think that people who didn't vote and can vote shouldnt be able to complain. i think if you arent llowed to vote, you shoulod be able to voice your opinion.

you did understand it was a joke...

and while I'm back in here, lets not make this a political hotbutton thread - there's a whole section of the forum already devoted to that - let's keep these responses to the poll only, please :)

[bennetsaysargh]

oh sorry:p
i just woke up.
i haven't been using my mind since school.:P

[sedarby]

Originally posted by Ge4-ce
not to mention the fact that Bush was not voted democratically!.. (you know.. the florida district, where 90% voted All Gore, was not counted properly..

Weird that a man can speak out the words "Our democracy" and "may OUR God bless us" when he does what he wants and says that religion may not be a reason for war.. or that fundamentalists are dangerous because of their faith in THEIR God..

We better call it Hypocrosy in stead of Democracy..

And yes.. DO vote to avoid such an *** becomes your president again..

Okay so everyone that votes must know how the system works, right? Wrong. My Political Science professor always said that it is better for a few informed voters decide the leaders rather than a lot of uninformed people make the choice. He went so far to say that if you are not informed then it is better that you not vote. Oh well, I vote when I feel compelled to but not for everything that lands on a ballot.

[copperpipe]

We have not seen times when it has been as important to vote in a loooong time. This is the time to do your research find out what Bush did before his presidency, and find out the nitty gritty of what he has done during it. At the same time, it's time to start researching the democrat candidates, and get the beginning of your research started now. The internet couldn't be a better research tool, let's use it, and not the tv which can be payed to tell you who to vote for!

[Lord Bodak]

Originally posted by Ge4-ce
not to mention the fact that Bush was not voted democratically!.. (you know.. the florida district, where 90% voted All Gore, was not counted properly..


The media has had access to the ballots to perform their own recounts since the election ended. It has now been three years, and every media recount has shown that Bush won.

[theipodgod16]

And we all know how unbiased and fair the media is at covering these important issues....
(war in iraq, [Pro American]
Arnold here in CA, [Pro Arnold]
Bill Clinton Scandel, [Anti-Democrat]
Rodney King [Anti-Afro- American]......

[Ge4-ce]

Originally posted by Lord Bodak
The media has had access to the ballots to perform their own recounts since the election ended. It has now been three years, and every media recount has shown that Bush won.

Yeah.. without offence dude, but you probably also believe in those weapons of mass destruction..

I mean media is a part of the gouvernement.. remember the journalists in Iraq that tried to show what really happened? They got caught, by the US army..

Now, just the be sure.. I'm not an anti American.. not at all.. (Apple user and drive a chevy..) But it's just the guy over there in the white house.. and probably the staff behind him (NRA :rolleyes: ) I do not like..

Also.. I know we sould not discuss political things on this forum... :) but.. "DO YOU VOTE?" has more risk than "DO YOU OWN AN iPOD" :D

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by Ge4-ce

I mean media is a part of the gouvernement.

My friend just got back from Europe for a 2 month long vacation in Italy, Germany, and England. The biggest thing he couldn't get over was how most Europeans believed that the US media was simply a manifestation of the American government.

It is a shame people think that. The US media has all types of views represented. From Al Franken to Ann Coulter. And you know what, the US media loves nothing more than a scandal at the FBI or a investigation of a senator. They media is not a cheerleader of the American government. They just want ratings.

The American dream....:)

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally posted by Ge4-ce
Yeah.. without offence dude, but you probably also believe in those weapons of mass destruction..

You do not? How unpatriotic of you! :p

This is my favorite Front Page of the german news magazine "Der Spiegel"

http://www.mindfully.org/DieBushKrieger-DerSpiegelSep02SM.jpg

Titel: The Bush-Warriors - America's Crusade against Evil

From left to right: Batman (Colin Powell) Conan the Babarian (Donny Rumsfeld) Rambo (Georgy-boy, notice the pretzel dog tag :D ) The Terminator (Dick Cheney) Red Sonia (Condy Rice)
Cheers,

Ahmed

[Mudbug]

It seems as though I was posting to myself, or that's how you all interpreted it - let's keep the political discussions in the political forum, and just keep comments about whether you vote or not in this thread.

Thx.
Mudbug

[Lord Bodak]

Originally posted by theipodgod16
And we all know how unbiased and fair the media is at covering these important issues....
(war in iraq, [Pro American]
Arnold here in CA, [Pro Arnold]
Bill Clinton Scandel, [Anti-Democrat]
Rodney King [Anti-Afro- American]......

You think the New York Times would have published a recount saying Bush won if they didn't believe it? We're talking about one of the most liberal newspapers in the country here.

[Lord Bodak]

Originally posted by Ge4-ce
I mean media is a part of the gouvernement.. remember the journalists in Iraq that tried to show what really happened? They got caught, by the US army..


Media is explicitly NOT part of the U.S. government.

[Lord Bodak]

Originally posted by Mudbug
It seems as though I was posting to myself, or that's how you all interpreted it - let's keep the political discussions in the political forum, and just keep comments about whether you vote or not in this thread.

Thx.
Mudbug

My apologies, did not see your post until after my own.

[Raid]

I vote. Not only is it a right, but a civic duty to make an informed vote that is in line with your personal values and beliefs.
Don't like my values or beliefs... GREAT! Vote the other way! That is what democracy should be about; the open debate (and hopefully settlement) on issues that affect the lives of the citizens in that community. Elected leaders should be based on the popular vote, by voters who feel that leader best would represent their views and keep best intrest of their constituents (and not just the campaign contributors).

BTW if you'd like to read about what went on in the Bush/Gore election, read the first chapter of "Stupid White Men" by Micheal Moore. It could be construed as a 'pro-democrat' viewpoint, but he backs his thoughts up with facts... make up your own mind about it, but I suggest you read it if you are interested!

Raid

[wdlove]

Yes I vote, feel that it's a duty of citizenship. I also vote in the primaries. So it ends up having more than one election per year. This Fall we have 2 elections for our city council.

[Ge4-ce]

Originally posted by Lord Bodak
Media is explicitly NOT part of the U.S. government.

yes offcourse.. I mean not literal a part of the gouvernement.. but you cannot denie that the gouvernement uses the media a lot more than most people realise..

also.. freedom of speech and reports go just as far as the gouvernement wants them to go..

Small example:

Why is there something like "top-secret"?

After all.. it is the people that choose the gouvernement..

in democracy the people are the boss (choose the boss, so they stand above the boss)

can you imagne a boss having secrets for his higher boss?

[Roger1]

I usually vote, but I am not impressed with Bush (althought I agree with the way he handled Sept 11).
Right now, the only Republicans I would vote into the presidency are John McCain, and Colin Powell. I don't know enough about the Dems to make an informed decision.

As for third party candidates, I'll vote for Jesse any time :D

edit: I mean Ventura, Jesse Ventura!

[vniow]

I'm a registered member of the PPP, not that it matters anyway, there will be only one party to 'vote' for come 2k16...

[Dahl]

Originally posted by Freg3000
It is a shame people think that. The US media has all types of views represented. From Al Franken to Ann Coulter. And you know what, the US media loves nothing more than a scandal at the FBI or a investigation of a senator. They media is not a cheerleader of the American government. They just want ratings.

The American dream....:)
While the media does love ratings, they also seem "intimidated" by the right, if they have a program or a person with views that goes against the corporate world, they might lose $ on ad sales. Look what happened to Bill Maher on ABC.
Fox news is a joke to the point that I actually watch it sometimes in amazement, it's that tainted. But I'm sure they like me as a viewer, even if if I think they are way off.
There are very few shows on TV or radio, that represents the left.

[Doctor Q]

I've never missed voting in an election since I turned 18. It's easy to get information on major office candidates, but I try to learn what I can about minor offices too, which is harder. Most people don't know what the lt. governor does, or how to judge a tax assessor. And here in California we have all those propositions and initiatives to sort out, trying to determine whether what sounds like a good cause is really the result of a special interest group or a rich corporation operating under an assumed name like "Citizens for Motherhood and Apple Pie". Voting is easy. Being an informed voter is not.

[mactastic]

Informed voting is your duty as a democratic citizen. I vote in every election I can. I also feel that if you don't vote you shouldn't be able to complain. I would love to see a list of the political pundits and talking heads on tv/radio/print media to see how many of them actually vote.

[MacFan26]

Originally posted by Dahl
As a green card holder in the USA, I can't vote. But I wish I could, CA does not need Arnold. :)

btw. Looks like presidential candidate Howard Dean is a Apple fan, at least he has a site mimics Apple's "Switch" advertising campaign.
http://www.switch2dean.com/


Funny that one of the switchers names is Steve :D

[xDANx]

Originally posted by Raid
I vote. Not only is it a right, but a civic duty to make an informed vote that is in line with your personal values and beliefs.
Don't like my values or beliefs... GREAT! Vote the other way!

i vote when i think that there's someone worth voting for (which in the context of this poll means a 'yes')...i don't vote simply as a knee-jerk patriotic reaction. let's be honest...voting is hardly arduous political activity. the only thing less involved is signing a petition. when there's no one that i feel should actually be elected i simply don't vote...and i feel that i have every right to complain/rant/take my trusty soapbox to the nearest park. and please don't tell me that in that case i should have entered the election myself or tried to convince someone i do believe in to run...one of the biggest problems facing liberal democracy these days is that only the rich have access to power...the fundraising orgy that's taking place in the US right now is just gross. in canada it's not quite that bad (and there's been some movement on campaign finance reform) but elections still ain't cheap.

another issue to consider, stemming from the idea that voting involves a minimum of political participation, is that most of the dramatic social changes and achievements of the 20th century were not handed down by elected officials but were torn from the hands of those same officials by people in the streets. there are many other, far more participatory forms of political activity. so if you don't vote but are involved in other more intensive ways, then you have every right to proclaim and complain. if you don't vote and just sit on your ass then your opinion counts for little.

within the context of democratic elections however, i think introducing a system of proportional representation would go a long way to cleaning up some of the mess.

[bryanc]

I get out and vote on principle: so I can feel justified in bitching about the cretins that get elected.

"Democracy is the only system in which the majority get what they deserve." -- Winston Churchill

Cheers

[WinterMute]

I always vote, how can you hold you head up in a political discussion without voting?

If there's no-one worth voting for I'll vote against the political right.

[wdlove]

Originally posted by vniow
I'm a registered member of the PPP, not that it matters anyway, there will be only one party to 'vote' for come 2k16...

I get the 2016 vinow. Bust what is the PPP?

[macfreek57]

I just registered today :)

[Stinkysteve]

I don't vote only because I don't look forward to the privelidge of serving jury duty. They check voter registration for jury service here.
Why should I get thirty dollars a day, while some corrupt lawyer is getting over two hundred dollars an hour to defend some criminal?
If I don't work, I don't get paid! I can't afford to pay that lawyer to represent me in bankruptcy court if I have no money.
Sorry!

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally posted by Stinkysteve
I don't vote only because I don't look forward to the privelidge of serving jury duty. They check voter registration for jury service here.
Why should I get thirty dollars a day, while some corrupt lawyer is getting over two hundred dollars an hour to defend some criminal?
If I don't work, I don't get paid! I can't afford to pay that lawyer to represent me in bankruptcy court if I have no money.
Sorry!

It may sound a little rude but you only actually get to be on the jury if you are not intelligent. My g/f is an accountant with graduate degree and her mother has an MBA. Both have registered for voting and get called for jury duty ever so often. The never got to be on the Jury though because either the state attorney or the defense lawyer didn't like them (because they are smart enough to see the facts on the table and through a smug laywers BS rethorics). In plain words, lawyers only want dumb people on the jury that they can impress with their bombastic talk.
Cheers,

Ahmed

[bennetsaysargh]

Originally posted by AhmedFaisal
It may sound a little rude but you only actually get to be on the jury if you are not intelligent. My g/f is an accountant with graduate degree and her mother has an MBA. Both have registered for voting and get called for jury duty ever so often. The never got to be on the Jury though because either the state attorney or the defense lawyer didn't like them (because they are smart enough to see the facts on the table and through a smug laywers BS rethorics). In plain words, lawyers only want dumb people on the jury that they can impress with their bombastic talk.
Cheers,

Ahmed

well, i guess that it does make sense that they would do that. i hope i don't get called for jury duty (when i'm 18:p)

[wdlove]

Originally posted by bennetsaysargh
well, i guess that it does make sense that they would do that. i hope i don't get called for jury duty (when i'm 18:p)

I look forward to Jury Duty, think that it's also a duty of being an American Citizen. Here is Boston we are called every 3 years, its mandatory. If not put on a jury your one day of service fufills your obligation. Lawyers have a certain type that they are looking for, otherwise they have ypou removed!

[scem0]

I'm not of legal age, but if I was I would vote.

scem0

[tazo]

Nope, I would, but the political fatcats up in Washington would rather give voting rights to illegal aliens, not even american citizens, than allow a US resident of almost 16 years the right to vote. *sigh*

[wdlove]

Originally posted by tazo
Nope, I would, but the political fatcats up in Washington would rather give voting rights to illegal aliens, not even american citizens, than allow a US resident of almost 16 years the right to vote. *sigh*

I agree with you tazo, it's criminal the rights being given to illegal aliens. We are a country of immigrants, they made us what we are today. They came in legally and wanted to know what they had to do to succeed and did.

[tazo]

Originally posted by wdlove
I agree with you tazo, it's criminal the rights being given to illegal aliens. We are a country of immigrants, they made us what we are today. They came in legally and wanted to know what they had to do to succeed and did.

Exactly. Gray Davis, current governor of California has enacted a law I believe, that grants illegal immigrants, i.e. the people who jump over the border, the legal right to obtain a driver's license. And guess what you need to vote!? A driver's license...and guess who they'll vote for? :o

[Frohickey]

Originally posted by Freg3000
Nope, I am not old enough yet. But when I turn 18, I am going to be one of those people who votes for everything, even the small positions which people think don't matter.

Voting is such a wonderful privilege and should not be wasted. So many people have had no say in the government for so long in history, and now that right is widely available. Even still, there are some places in world where people can't vote. :(

Democracy is wonderful.

Actually, voting is a duty and a right of citizens. You can lose that right when you become a convicted felon.

Democracy is wonderful, true, but only if there are limits as to what a majority could do... as in, a majority can't decide to intern a certain group of citizens during wartime, or a majority can't decide to curtail the rights of a certain group of recently freed slaves, or a majority can't decide to tax a minority group in order to redistribute the wealth according to need.

Remember, 2 wolves and a sheep deciding on whats for dinner is a democracy too. But that democracy is not good for the sheep.

[5dvirtual]

Yes of course I vote. Its one of the privileges of being a citizen that you shouldn't just leave for granted. Its one of those things where you can be part of the how your country could prosper or stagnate the economy by just picking on the right person to rule.

[ZiggyPastorius]

I will most likely vote, but it's one of those things where if I don't like any of the candidates, I will not vote. I follow Penn's great saying, "The only way to waste your vote is to use it!"

[Tallest Skil]

When you think about it, the results of this poll should be 100% Yes and 0% No. If they don't vote, they wouldn't vote on whether or not they vote! :p

[jons]

Wow, this is an incredibly old thread.

[JoshLV]

This upcoming election will be the first election I am able to vote in, and I certainly plan to vote!

[AceWilfong]

"If you vote, you have no right to complain." George Carlin

[macwall]

I think that voting in national elections has little no impact, but there's got to be a sufficient number of people voting in those elections to make sure that it's an accurate sample of public opinion. Your vote has a lot more value in local elections, so it's strange that voter turnout is greater in national elections.

[SDLSteve]

Yes, as many times as I can!

[Papa Smurf]

I live in Florida, why bother to vote, it won't count even if they could count.:D

[wordmunger]

Wow, this is an incredibly old thread.

Yes it is. Some of the early commenters who said they weren't old enough to vote are now well over 18! So, early commenters on this thread, have you voted now? Or now that you're old enough, is it not worth the bother?

[catfish743]

I proudly vote and everyone should too. My grandmother grew up in Hitler's Germany so I heavily value my input in the democracy. (Not that I think it is perfect but oh well.) GO Obama!
But seriously kids, go out and vote.

[SFStateStudent]

I've been voting since I was 18 yoa, and haven't missed a vote since. I've used the absentee ballot only 6 times, when I was in the Marines and away from my Polling Place. :cool:

[skypark]

Yes I do vote and have for a long long long time.

[teksurv]

Yes I vote, and I encourage all those eligible to do the same.

[AndyClarke]

Everybody should vote if they are old enough.

[dainomac]

yes! I love polls

[Cromulent]

I've never voted. I do not believe in tactical voting either (voting for the opposition in order to make your displeasure known). None of the big three political parties have policies which I agree with so the only two options available to me are a) not to vote at all or b) spoil my ballot paper in order to say I've been to vote but decided that no political party was worth voting for.

[NT1440]

Can't vote now, as I'm 16, but I will deffinatly be participating in every election once Im of age.

[zeus861]

Definitely. Though I was sad I couldn't vote in the Iowa Caucus since I was out of the state.

[MacFanatic08]

hehe, yeah, I was 17 back in '03. :cool:

[spacecadet610]

never voted

[Wotan31]

Voting is such a wonderful privilege and should not be wasted. So many people have had no say in the government for so long in history, and now that right is widely available. Even still, there are some places in world where people can't vote. :(

Democracy is wonderful.

Very well said! It's a freedom not yet available to all peoples on this earth, so if you're able to vote, don't squander it. By "don't squander it", I mean do your homework, look into the candidates, and make an *informed* decision. Don't vote for someone just because your friends are, or the TV told you to. Vote for someone based on their own merits in comparison to their competition.

That said, seeing commercials on MTV for "get out the vote" make me sick. If you need MTV to tell you vote, you probably shouldn't be voting.

[Wotan31]

I've never voted. I do not believe in tactical voting either (voting for the opposition in order to make your displeasure known). None of the big three political parties have policies which I agree with so the only two options available to me are a) not to vote at all or b) spoil my ballot paper in order to say I've been to vote but decided that no political party was worth voting for.

That's just it - no political candidate will *ever* match your set of ideals 100%. Voting is a game of picking whoever sucks the least.

[a104375]

I do not vote, as I am not currently old enough.. however come time to register to vote.... I am not sure if I will depending on the next president and whether a draft is instituted....I may or may not register

[Joel Beason]

i voted even though it doesn't matter (and will for the president)

[kabunaru]

No, I don't vote.

[aapl.jlo]

I will be able to vote in this election! Long live the Republic!

[bobertoq]

Don't you think this poll is kind of.... stupid? Poll: Do you Vote?

Define poll:
Usually, polls. the place where votes are taken.

;) Please vote in our most recent poll! Do you vote?

[drewsof07]

That's just it - no political candidate will *ever* match your set of ideals 100%. Voting is a game of picking whoever sucks the least.
Wow this is the truth! It's sad that we have to pick the least of evils to run our country. haha "Castro or... Castro? I don't know which to pick!"

I will be able to vote in this election! Long live the Republic!
That's pronounced "Representative Democracy"

[Wotan31]

Wow this is the truth! It's sad that we have to pick the least of evils to run our country. haha "Castro or... Castro? I don't know which to pick!"
That said, we should be thankful that our voting ballots are multiple-choice.

You watching what happened in Zimbabwe? Idiot Mugabe had his thugs torture and kill the opposition candidate's wife, then burn down their home. Of course the candidate dropped out of the race at that point. On election day, the voting ballots literally had only a single possible choice on them - Mugabe.

[ingenious]

of course i'll be voting. this is the first year i'm eligible (although I missed the Kansas caucuses by a few months, i'm old enough now for the general election). what good is government by the people if the people don't care or are not involved?

we have a great opportunity to have a say in the way our governments are run, why waste it? sure, it's just one vote in millions, but your one vote can sway many, many others.

i do not understand people who do not vote. you say you do not like the candidates? then vote for the party that most closely resembles your views and push a better candidate next time! it's what democracies are all about... choice and government by the governed.

[jons]

That said, we should be thankful that our voting ballots are multiple-choice.

You watching what happened in Zimbabwe? Idiot Mugabe had his thugs torture and kill the opposition candidate's wife, then burn down their home. Of course the candidate dropped out of the race at that point. On election day, the voting ballots literally had only a single possible choice on them - Mugabe.


This is a great point, and exactly what I thought of when I read his reply. Our government certainly isn't perfect, but at least we have some form of recourse to fix it.

[drewsof07]

This is a great point, and exactly what I thought of when I read his reply. Our government certainly isn't perfect, but at least we have some form of recourse to fix it.

and they can be re-elected just once, so you only have to wait 8 years for it to change :D
but maybe this is getting a bit too political for a polls thread...

[PCMacUser]

and they can be re-elected just once, so you only have to wait 8 years for it to change :D

It's a shame though - what if the president who's been in power for 8 years is the best person for the job? They get kicked out and replaced by someone inferior?

But yeah, it does have its benefits in some ways. At least we know old George ain't gonna be on the scene soon...

[drewsof07]

It's a shame though - what if the president who's been in power for 8 years is the best person for the job? They get kicked out and replaced by someone inferior?

But yeah, it does have its benefits in some ways. At least we know old George ain't gonna be on the scene soon...

Haha, that reminds me of man of the year,

"Politicians are like dirty diapers, they need changed often and for the same reason"

[sik]

yep!

[majordude]

Democracy is wonderful.

First of all, this isn't a democracy. In a democracy the majority rules.

Second, the two party system has the elections rigged. Even within each party there is a pecking order so everyone gets their turn at different levels. You have the illusion of choice but it you have been duped.

[majordude]

I just registered today :)

Expect to be called to jury duty tomorrow.

[dmr727]

All the time! I'm an absentee voter, and apparently they'll revoke that ability if I fail to vote, so I'm generally pretty consistent.

[dmr727]

I do not vote, as I am not currently old enough.. however come time to register to vote.... I am not sure if I will depending on the next president and whether a draft is instituted....I may or may not register

I'm showing my age, but this reminds me of that scene in Breakfast Club where the nerdy kid is asked why he has a fake ID.

"So I can vote."

[toolbox]

Yep, i believe it's compulsory here in australia?

[majordude]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0u6lCBnRoHQ

[liquidh2o]

sometimes, sometimes not. Usually voice my opinion as to why I would vote what I vote though :)

[DiamondMac]

I vote but become more disgusted by politics every day

Such negative bashing by both parties that makes me want to scream

[mrdinh]

yep but not this yr...is there a vote for none of the above?

[BlackMax]

Yup, I vote every election... But this year I couldn't be less interested and I feel we are in for hard times ahead. I feel we've lost our way. Too many people on the take, not enough on the mend.

[Dolphin22]

voting shows of many ppls likes & dislikes

[jlanuez]

.... If you need MTV to tell you vote, you probably shouldn't be voting.

Agreed, it's pretty scarry how uneducated a lot of voters are. I wonder what % (on both sides, although we both know which sie would have the higher % of dummies- lol) would be classified as "probably shouldn't be voting" - my guess is too many!

[jlanuez]

.... If you need MTV to tell you vote, you probably shouldn't be voting.

Agreed, it's pretty scary how uneducated a lot of voters are. I wonder what % (on both sides, although we both know which side would have the higher % of dummies- lol) would be classified as "probably shouldn't be voting" - my guess is way too many!

[donga]

yes, i vote. for change. : )

[Insulin Junkie]

Yes, I vote. However I'm not really hopeful.

[The iPhone Dude]

Fit 2 VoteFound an app that requires real thinking... Fit 2 Vote.... at first I thought it was a stupid idea for a game, but I'm a political junkie... so for 99¢ what the hell right?

Then I found out its fricking hard to beat this game. There's nothing prejudicial about it, but it does make you think and that's a cool thing for the app store. They say they are going to keep updating it with new quotes. If they do, I will keep playing it.

http://inspired.com/products2.html

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, I always vote. It is a right, a civic duty, and a privilege. For most of recorded history most men, and virtually all women, had no say in who governed them, or in the making of decisions which affected their lives. There are still places where the ballot, or choice in electing or selecting rulers is non-existent, and others where it is completely compromised.

Among other things, I have worked as an election observer and monitor for the UN/OSCE, as a nominee of the Irish Government, at quite a number of elections over the past decade and a half. It is humbling to see people queuing, in the freezing - quite literally - cold, polite, patient, and optimistic, as I witnessed in Kosovo in 2000, before polls opened at 7 a.m. Likewise, it is shaming to witness the fear unfortunately evident in police states (Belarus is one of a number of examples that come to mind, where I have also observed elections) where people do not have the right to freely exercise their chosen preference. That we can do so is a very valuable right, one that was hard fought for, is the cornerstone of all democratic principles, and should be treasured and used. As often as necessary. Cheers.

[bpl323]

A vote to see who votes... haha.

[caligurl]

but, of course!

if you don't vote.... you aren't allowed to bitch!

[robo456]

I don't vote... I know I'm gunna get screwed no matter who gets into whatever office! :(

--rob

[iphonesrq]

i guess it depends on the importance!

[Wakakanada]

I vote for the national leadership, but lower level politics is often run at the level of a condo board so I often will pass.

I remember hearing how in some areas in the United States a couple national elections ago, there weren't enough computer polling stations available for people to vote before the polls closed, was that true?

We have low tech elections in Canada, pencil: x in the box; volunteer counters. It takes about 5, and never more than ten minutes to vote. [I live in a major suburb of Vancouver]

How long does it take to vote for others?

[tayshon]

Yes, I try to vote everytime

[MacFanUK]

Nope, totally pointless

[electroshock]

Hell, yes! I'm opinionated and I intend to have my say. Every single time without fail. :)

[flakes8]

Yes, yes I do !!!

[ucfgrad93]

Yes, I vote.

[Mr Dobey]

Yes

[Bennieboy©]

yes i vote too :p

[Maccin475]

Nope. I couldn't get myself to support either front runner (McCain and Obama) these past elections.

[flakes8]

Yes, and sometimes I vote twice

[3D0G]

Aggh! No!!!!!

If you don't take the time and interest to properly study the issues to understand all the consequences, you should definintely stay home.

This is one of the reasons I want voter registration to stay at least about a month ahead of elections. If you aren't aware enough to know the basics of the voting process, you would probably make a very poor voter....

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/game-theory/

This brings up a very interesting application of Game Theory (so called because it was first studied as the basis for strategic games). That is, from any person's own perspective, going to vote has a definite cost, i.e. up to several hours of one's time (depending on the election), and a fairly insignificant benefit (one vote out of thousands or millions). Therefore, Game Theory would say that a rational person would choose not to vote because the individual incurs costs which far outweigh the benefit. Game Theory furthermore answers the objection of those who would say "yeah, but what if *everyone* thought that way" by saying that that still doesn't change the fact that, from any one individual's perspective (the one who is making his own decision), the same argument (cost outweighing benefit) still holds.

One way to resolve the dilemma (or "paradox") is to change the cost/benefit equation to make the cost of *not* voting outweigh the benefit of not voting. One way to do that would be to make voting mandatory (thus legal penalties for not voting).

However, I understand your concern about people voting who don't understand the issues (unfortunately, I think that many people already do vote who don't really understand the issues). But, I'm sure that many people do NOT vote who DO understand the issues. So I'm not sure that making voting mandatory would have a net negative effect. Anyway, I'm not really pressing for the "mandatory voting" thing, but just wanted to bring up what Game Theory would say about this.

[3D0G]

Well, if I don't vote, i get fined.

so... Yeah.

I'm not against mandatory voting in principle (see my previous post), but I've also thought that making someone vote is essentially forcing that person to engage in democracy. Hypothetically, what if that person doesn't believe in democracy? Isn't the state then forcing its ideals/beliefs on the citizens (sort of like a state "religion" of democracy)? Is there any way you can "conscientiously object" by making an official statement to some official to relieve you of this obligation, should you so choose?

[Blinkwing]

I voted in the last election in New Zealand, and the party I disliked is in power now.

Basically what happened is that the party that I dislike piggybacked on Obama's campaign of "change" and people actually believed that bullshizzle rather than looking at the consequences of what happened to the country when that party was last in power.

Now the party is screwing up the country again.

EDIT:

Well, if I don't vote, i get fined.

so... Yeah.

In New Zealand registration is mandatory, voting is optional. Just thought I'd put that tidbit of information out there.

[tooz]

Not yet, but I will

[TomT321]

I do vote but get discouraged when my choice seem to be picking the lesser of tow evils or eeny meeny or maybe twiddle Dumb and Twiddle Dumber. In a way I would like to see us have a system like England's where there can be a vote of no confidence and force a new election without having to wait so long to rectify mistakes!! :mad:

[savoirfaire]

i do

[scarlet0906]

Nope, I just registered as a voter and turned legal age to officially vote. But, I will vote in the next election voting. Voting is very important because it will be the one to declare or put someone in the position. And, everybody's votes count. So vote wisely!:)

[Jason Beck]

I wish I was allowed to legally vote here in the US. NOT.
Felons can't vote. : )
Which is something I don't agree with about my country. I made some mistakes (with drugs) earlier on in life, changed and went to college (in school now), and just because of poor decisions earlier I can't vote. It's like I lose my right to citizenship. I do still pay taxes though so what gives?

Is anyone else country like that?

[mac-ho]

Yes.