Why people don't go and vote .....

We know that approximately 50% of the people who are allowed to vote do not go and vote in the US presidential elections.

I wonder what the reasons are for them not to vote. Some say that these people are not interested in politics. Well, this is true of course for a certain percentage, but there must be more reasons and above all more interesting and more substantial reasons for people not to vote.

I for instance, if I were an American citizin, would not go and vote because I simply cannot give my vote to a candidate who does not want to implement solid and just social policies. As we all know the Republicans have a terrible record in this field. However, I also cannot give my vote to a candidate who shows the same indifference towards the questions of protecting the unborn and promoting and protecting the dignity of the human person in general.

So, I would not go and vote. Not because I am not interested in politics but simply because there aren't any candidates who deserve my support.
We live in a society which pretends to promote freedom and democracy. But how on earth can I exercise this freedom and how on earth can this democracy be flexible and allow societal changes if there aren't adequate possibilities to do so ?
If you want to buy a car there are dozens of choices you can make. When it comes to political choices there are basically just two serious possibilities .... and that is not a sign of true freedom and true democracy, is it ?


Maybe you do not vote also. Can you give us the reasons ?

Originally posted by ivanhoe
We know that approximately 50% of the people who are allowed to vote do not go and vote in the US presidential elections.

I wonder what the reasons are for them not to vote. Some say that these people are not interested in politics. Well, this is true of course for a certain percentage, but there must be more reasons and above all more interesting and mo ...[text shortened]... om and true democracy, is it ?


Maybe you do not vote also. Can you give us the reasons ?

Originally posted by ivanhoe
We know that approximately 50% of the people who are allowed to vote do not go and vote in the US presidential elections.

I wonder what the reasons are for them not to vote. Some say that these people are not interested in politics. Well, this is true of course for a certain percentage, but there must be more reasons and above all more interesting and mo ...[text shortened]... om and true democracy, is it ?


Maybe you do not vote also. Can you give us the reasons ?

There is no excuse in not voting. If you don't vote then don't bitch about the elected officials.

Originally posted by slimjim
There is no excuse in not voting. If you don't vote then don't bitch about the elected officials.

Originally posted by ivanhoe
We know that approximately 50% of the people who are allowed to vote do not go and vote in the US presidential elections.

I wonder what the reasons are for them not to vote. Some say that these people are not interested in politics. Well, this is true of course for a certain percentage, but there must be more reasons and above all more interesting and mo om and true democracy, is it ?


Maybe you do not vote also. Can you give us the reasons ?

Just FYI, I think its even less than 50% participation in U.S. elections. One reason (though not always) for not voting often has to do with local political offices. Some people's lives are so local-bound that they don't really care who is president (slightly exaggerated, but it applies occasionally). Others, like you say, don't vote because they don't like either candidate.

Here's the bigger problem, though. First, no matter how insignificant your vote, you should (and have the right to) exercise democracy and vote for whichever candidate (in the primaries) you most support. Take it from someone who knows their vote won't count; my family is strongly democratic, but we live in a VERY red state, to say the least. We still exercise our right, but the flip is simply this: majority wins. It may not seem democratic to have only two choices, but the majority chose those two candidates to run.

Originally posted by Crusader Scott
Lastly, America is a REPUBLIC and not a democracy. So many people speak about the virtues of democracy when they really mean the virtues of republicanism. Plato had no use for democracies and neither did the Founding Fathers.

Originally posted by Crusader Scott
It may seem startling, but the truth of the matter is that a lot of people don't vote because they don't understand or care about politics. This might seem shocking to people who do (such as myself), but that is the ultimate reason why they don't vote. Sure, some people may squawk about not having the perfect candidate, or about not having a "third f republicanism. Plato had no use for democracies and neither did the Founding Fathers.

Originally posted by wittywonka
Just FYI, I think its even less than 50% participation in U.S. elections. One reason (though not always) for not voting often has to do with local political offices. Some people's lives are so local-bound that they don't really care who is president (slightly exaggerated, but it applies occasionally). Others, like you say, don't vote because they don't m democratic to have only two choices, but the majority chose those two candidates to run.

Originally posted by ivanhoe
Isn't the voting system to chose a President too old fashioned, too complicated, and sometimes unfair ? Shouldn't there be a system wherein each vote counts ? That shouldn't be a problem at all ... I mean technically speaking. Look what happened to Al Gore last time ...

It's well documented that the largest generation to be born in history is now in their 60's, the baby boom after WW2. They're going to vote their way, and rule all doctrine worldwide for the most part. Conservatism and fear of mortality rules their thoughts. This is true in America, but mostly in Europe. Europeans hopefully aren't short-sighted, and don't let the mistakes of the past relive. I, as an American, am afraid my people have become complacent to the point where they'll elect any idiot that says what they want to hear.
It's very puzzling that they're voting the way they are.

In the state of New South Wales where i live in Australia, we just had our state elections.
Voting is compulsory here, backed by a fine of $100.00 AUD. Personally i think it is a good idea as it makes all citizens have a say in the governance of our society at both state and federal levels. If you dont like the scumbags in power, vote them out and get new blood.
The other thing i am quite grateful for is when i vote, there are no guys with machine guns or weapons around trying to influence my vote.
Long may it be so.

Forcing people to vote is not the answer, and it's an abomination. What if both candidates suck? What if the government brought up issues that don't mean anything to anyone, just to claim fines? That system would breed corruption.

Originally posted by SmookieP
Forcing people to vote is not the answer, and it's an abomination. What if both candidates suck? What if the government brought up issues that don't mean anything to anyone, just to claim fines? That system would breed corruption.