In my mind, the more of us who vote, the better. Even if someone is voting for the "other" guy, I want them to vote. Because I do believe that democracy works best when everyone is involved. Because I do trust the collective consciousness. Because I do think that voting our personal interests will, as we become less fearful, automatically lead us to better choices. All I hope and pray is that whoever wins will be best for our country. I have an opinion about who that is. So do most of you. We may disagree. I could care less, because I really do trust the process. It doesn't happen in a year, or a decade. But it happens. For two hundred years, every four years half the population screams that if the other side wins, it's all over.
We're still here.
Vote, dammit. If you don't, you have no right to complain.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
VOTE
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10 comments:
Voted!
"Vote, dammit. If you don't, you have no right to complain".
Debatable, and very much so. I contend that if I am neither satisfied with choices provided to me from either column A or B and if the consequences from either are not to my liking I can complain to my heart's content without having ever ascribed to either one because I feel or felt there was a much better choice, say from a figurative column C, that was not provided to me by either party, or restaurant, that would not allow me to alter, change, or mix the order to my own personal liking.
Sure, I could write-in on an actual ballot; as it not allowable on electronic voting machines, Daffy Duck, Snoopy, or Ralph Nader, but you get my drift. If I don't like the choices or the consequences, vote or not, I can complain. This is why this is the FIRST time I've EVER voted in LIFE after having been eligible to vote since the 1972 elections.
This time I see a candidate worth voting for. Abracadabra. Casablanca al Casanegra. I hope.
The first time I was eligible to vote the guy in front of me was an old guy who looked to be in his seventies. He pulled the lever to close the curtain, and then immediately pulled it back registering his vote. It was his first time voting he was confused and didn't realize that doing this before he selected his choices would essentially lose him his vote. When the person managing the voting booth told him that he couldn't re close the curtain and actually vote he started to cry. The story he told was as follows. He was a new citizen who had emigrated from eastern Europe. He had dreamed of coming to the U.S. and voting since he learned about our system. He said he might not live to cast a vote if he didn't cast it this time and begged for another chance. I offered to let him cast my vote the guy in charge wouldn't allow it. I walked away very sad and vowed that I would always cast my vote no matter the candidates in this man's honor.
Anonymous, you do not have to vote for one of the two major candidates. There were at least eight Presidential candidates on the ballot in Delaware (I did not count,but there were Libertarian, Green, Nader, Socialist Workers, and others) and I suspect most places. It seems likely that there is one who is to your liking.
I voted. I'm pleased with my choice. I know I have finally voted FOR someone in the first time in my adult life, as opposed to against someone. And for that I thank my candidtate.
But I agree with you, completley. The more people who go out and express their opinions, and vote, the better and stronger our democracy.
To the anonymous commenter, I'll disagree with you. You can complain that you like none of the choices. But if you don't show up to the poll, you are a part of the problem. Just because you sign in, doesn't mean you have to select a candidate at all. There are other things that matter on the ballot. Other offices, and other ballot measures, etc.
No one says you must pick A or B. But if you don't even show up, then why would anyone ever support your views, when you aren't showing up to express them.
libertarian party ticket, same as always.
I voted, but the right to complain is unconditionally guaranteed by the first amendment, and I think the founders got that one right.
I voted two days ago. Me and the wife sat in bed and looked through the voter guide and filled in the form and then I dropped it off at the ballot box at our public library yesterday. Damn but I love Oregon's mail in ballot system.
I voted today in a district where, probably, about 95% of the voters don't agree with me about which candidate or party should win.
But it was still heartening to see the turnout this morning. I don't agree with the leadership of the opposite political party, but I would be delighted to see the decency and patriotism I saw this morning reflected in today's political outcome.
--Erich Schwarz
Oh, you can complain. But if you didn't bother to vote, then why should anybody bother to care what you think?
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