Hey! I don't vote!

a reply to: links234
Political systems in the end lose effectiveness. That is what happens when the system is corrupted beyond redemption. The system is in fact beyond redemption as is apparent to those of us who care to notice. Roughly 3% are aware of this and care enough to cause the change at a root level.

It is what is. Face the truth and embrace the change to come. It will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Good things do indeed come to those who wait and are patient and honorable.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
a reply to: links234

Whoever they want to get into office is who they will get there. The only ones running are the ones hand picked to do their bidding.

If I have to choose between a giant douche and a turd sandwich I'm going to use my right to not vote for either.

I refuse to choose between the lesser of two evils, if I do then I'm only fuelling their fire.

So i vote Libertarian or the NEW candidates if one is not available and I GET TO SLEEP BETTER for trying.

a reply to: machineintelligence

STAR!!

We cant sit back and just do nothing, we have to HOPE and attempt to change the paradigm by not ever again voting for the established parties UNLESS they are new. Ron Paul got me voting for new Republicans after he said he was going to change from within, which the old R's sell us out in a different way than the old D's do but they sell us out none the less. I haven't seen a new Dem lately in my area that did not run on the Dem platform that the media just loves to ram down our throats. The new D's, well they are more compliant to the oligarchy like their peers. The new Tea Party people like former Black Floridian Rep Alan West are hated by the established R's and the a holes redrew his district so he lost. Therefore, I have voted in the locals for those who are like Alan West or what Dr Ben Carson imply's.
IN fact, my district's state rep is a very old farming community founded in TN by the family of George Washington, with a small city of 30K or so in the middle full of diverse America like Blacks and immigrants of the legal variety is a immigrant Indian Md Dr who grew up in a Siek, Muslim, Christian community. He won buy a landslide by being like Alan West . I am honored my old red neck community full of tea partyers did that. WOO HOO!

IF one time they go all tax and spend craZEE, then I move on to someone independent. Like i stated earlier I get to sleep at night for trying.

double post

originally posted by: links234
Question for those that don't vote: What good does that do? What will change, in the world, by your non-participation? Your choice to not participate doesn't seem to impact the way things are run. What makes you think not participating will make things better or worse?

I guess, in asking these questions, I'm starting to understand. It's not about your communities or your regions or your nation. It's about you. You don't feel good about it so you don't participate. Seems a little selfish to me...

Just like to say that about 70% of registered voters didn't vote in the 2014 midterm elections. A majority of eligible voters are letting the minority run things and are, seemingly, proud of that.

I guess my question for all our 'non-voters' as protest against the system types would be:

How do you do your part to change things?

Do you care about improving society (based on your wants)?

Or do you get all the satisfaction you deem necessary from complaining?

Do you expect others to 'fix the world' for you?

Or is it others responsiblity to fix it, because you didn't 'break it"?

What I hear is, and this is my perception only so don't get your knicker's in a bunch, a bunch of lazy arm-chair quarterbacks without a clue and only 'complaints' to offer.

I get it that it's overwhelming, but "I don't vote because it's useless" isn't an answer to anthing, it's victim mentality at it's very simplist. It's self-pity and all the attendant character flaws put on display for the world to see - why keep on keeping on if you feel that way?

Personally, if i felt that way I wouldn't announce it in a public forum. But hey, call me old-fashioned.

originally posted by: FyreByrd
I get it that it's overwhelming, but "I don't vote because it's useless" isn't an answer to anthing, it's victim mentality at it's very simplist. It's self-pity and all the attendant character flaws put on display for the world to see - why keep on keeping on if you feel that way?

Personally, if i felt that way I wouldn't announce it in a public forum. But hey, call me old-fashioned.

Have you started and/or are currently working with a PAC (Political Action Committee)?

If not, you are just as much an armchair quarterback as those whom don't vote.

The real power of influence in US government is in the PAC's, not in the VOTE's.

a reply to: FyreByrd

The problem most of us have is there is no way to effect change when both sides are corrupt to the core. Every politician has around 4 corporate lobbyists catering him/her. You know how many lobbyists you and I have per official? NONE! You and I have no representation now. Casting your vote is just the same as me throwing my away. Give us a 3rd party and a lot of us would vote again. Get rid of corporate lobbyists and donations you would see even more turn out. Never forget the lesser of 2 evils is still evil...

originally posted by: FyreByrd
I guess my question for all our 'non-voters' as protest against the system types would be:

How do you do your part to change things?

Do you care about improving society (based on your wants)?

Or do you get all the satisfaction you deem necessary from complaining?

Do you expect others to 'fix the world' for you?

Or is it others responsiblity to fix it, because you didn't 'break it"?

What I hear is, and this is my perception only so don't get your knicker's in a bunch, a bunch of lazy arm-chair quarterbacks without a clue and only 'complaints' to offer.

I get it that it's overwhelming, but "I don't vote because it's useless" isn't an answer to anthing, it's victim mentality at it's very simplist. It's self-pity and all the attendant character flaws put on display for the world to see - why keep on keeping on if you feel that way?

Personally, if i felt that way I wouldn't announce it in a public forum. But hey, call me old-fashioned.

Wait, so...what have you done? To change the world, I mean. I'm ready for my mind to be blown. Go.

Change, change that matters starts at a very small level, maybe just in a family and 'tricles up'. We all have the power to promote change in our families, schools, towns, businesses.

Waiting for change from the top is a losing proposition as history tells us.

I can't change the agenda of a nationwide political party - but I may be able to influence in a small way the agenda of a small local party? - Isn't that just how the 'Tea Party' has garnered it's say??

Left vs right gives the world the illusion that we are not a monarchy.

I've not done anything spectacular - but then I don't require acclaim from my fellows to feel like a useful human being. I've consistantly worked in small capacilities on local elections for candidates and issues since I was 12 years old a time when all the work was done in person, over the phone, mail and walking door to door.

I continue to educate myself on issues of importance and lend by voice to those more knowledable and skilled then I. I've also done research for different media writers in aid of their work in important areas.

All for no recompence.

I don't do anything special, just what I consider my duty as a citizen of this rather confused country.

99.9 percent of the population will never 'change the world' nor is it neccessary if 99.9% of people just do a liitle bit. The old Calvinistic adage of "Many hands make for easy work" comes to mind. I don't concern myself, here, with what you want to work for or dream of just that you participate.

originally posted by: JAY1980
a reply to: FyreByrd

The problem most of us have is there is no way to effect change when both sides are corrupt to the core. Every politician has around 4 corporate lobbyists catering him/her. You know how many lobbyists you and I have per official? NONE! You and I have no representation now. Casting your vote is just the same as me throwing my away. Give us a 3rd party and a lot of us would vote again. Get rid of corporate lobbyists and donations you would see even more turn out. Never forget the lesser of 2 evils is still evil...

SO the libertarians, Constitution and Green partys are just those 2rd parties. People like you keep them down by ignoring they exist. AND THAT DOES MORE to promote the left right D's vs R's to KEEP their power over our country, period. WAKE up an realize your request is really 'give me one the media believes in so i can do what the media will let me do".

originally posted by: JAY1980
a reply to: FyreByrd

Give us a 3rd party and a lot of us would vote again.

This is why change will never come by not voting. "Give us." As if to say that someone has the power to just give you a candidate, more importantly that you somehow deserve a third candidate when you're not willing to work for it.

Gary Johnson ran in 2012. You know what he needed? Five percent. Just 5% of the popular vote could've helped to break the 2 party control you all complain about. Another 'system' I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Again, ours is a reactionary system. It reacts to voting. If you don't act, then nothing changes.

originally posted by: links234

originally posted by: JAY1980
a reply to: FyreByrd

Give us a 3rd party and a lot of us would vote again.

This is why change will never come by not voting. "Give us." As if to say that someone has the power to just give you a candidate, more importantly that you somehow deserve a third candidate when you're not willing to work for it.

Gary Johnson ran in 2012. You know what he needed? Five percent. Just 5% of the popular vote could've helped to break the 2 party control you all complain about. Another 'system' I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Again, ours is a reactionary system. It reacts to voting. If you don't act, then nothing changes.

I'm aware of Gary Johnson, and I understand your sentiment. I didn't mean "give us" as magically make someone appear to save our sorry a$$es. But as I pointed out I don't think we are represented any more. %5 of the popular vote doesn't mean anything when Super PACS and lobbyists are the ones putting people in office. The only way I see to effect change is by non-compliance and physically protesting this system. I probably effect more change in the system by protest voting and being openly vocal about it to my so called elected officials than the average vote. Just because I don't vote doesn't mean my voice isn't heard!

What do you do to effect chance outside of voting?

originally posted by: Justoneman

originally posted by: JAY1980
a reply to: FyreByrd

The problem most of us have is there is no way to effect change when both sides are corrupt to the core. Every politician has around 4 corporate lobbyists catering him/her. You know how many lobbyists you and I have per official? NONE! You and I have no representation now. Casting your vote is just the same as me throwing my away. Give us a 3rd party and a lot of us would vote again. Get rid of corporate lobbyists and donations you would see even more turn out. Never forget the lesser of 2 evils is still evil...

SO the libertarians, Constitution and Green partys are just those 2rd parties. People like you keep them down by ignoring they exist. AND THAT DOES MORE to promote the left right D's vs R's to KEEP their power over our country, period. WAKE up an realize your request is really 'give me one the media believes in so i can do what the media will let me do".

I am a constitutionalist, and I don't pay attention to the talking heads in the MSM. The only times I ever voted were for Ralph Nader if you must know. It was more of a rhetorical statement but seeing as its been taken out of context by some as me asking for a "savior" of sorts...

I'm not keeping anyone down. Neither of the parties you mention can actually produce a candidate that will generate enough corporate or media support to actually give the big red or blue a run for their money. But of course you already knew that.

We are actually on the same side...

originally posted by: JAY1980What do you do to effect chance outside of voting?

Outside of voting? I protest, I make phone calls, I write letters, I write petitions, I sign petitions, I communicate/commiserate/coordinate, I donate time and money.

The most time consuming task I perform to effect change outside of voting is going to a place (forum) like this to try and make a strong argument for my beliefs and politics. By time consuming I mean, maybe three hours per week. Everything else takes far, far less time.

I can't move mountains with my vote. I can move stones. I can try and convince others to move their stones, together our stones can make mountains where there were none before. Right now, in America, there are millions of stones waiting to move but no one willing to move them.