why should I

[Mike.357]

go vote this year?

I looked at a sample ballot and my vote one way or the other is not going to matter. All the repub's will carry the day around here.

So why does it matter if I go vote or not?

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

If you don't vote, you look like a jackass if you complain about the results.

[dralarms]

go vote this year?

I looked at a sample ballot and my vote one way or the other is not going to matter. All the repub's will carry the day around here.

So why does it matter if I go vote or not?

Brother, it matters. If you vote and it still goes south (why do they say that?) then you have at least tried.

[Guest db99wj]

Our founders fought to give us the ability to vote. Let's not let them down.

[Curiousgb]

Please stay at home, on the computer and ask stupid questions. Every time I hear this question blood poors from my eyes, and I have to wrap my head in duct tape to keep it from exploding. There are STUPID questions.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S WHY.

[Guest canynracer]

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S WHY.

eeeaaaasssyyy thunderkitty:)....we are all entitled to ask a question...

lets not begin flaming other members.

[Smith]

eeeaaaasssyyy thunderkitty:)....we are all entitled to ask a question...

lets not begin flaming other members.

Ah, flexing the moderator title already canyon! J/K

I think you vote for the same reason we carry, someone has to be responsible and do the right thing even when most don't. It's about personal responsibility. Does one gun in the hands of a responsible citizen make a dent in crime stats? Probably not, but that isn't a good enough reason not to carry now is it.

Edited October 7, 2008 by Smith

[Guest canynracer]

Naw...wrong forum for me..LOL...

just seemed a little harsh... Im sure you would have done the same

[KahrMan]

If you don't vote, you look like a jackass if you complain about the results.

Thats not why he looks like a jackass...:D

[wjh2657]

Most presidential elections are determined with a difference of less than 1-2% of the popular vote. I know the Electoral process actually decides the President and not the people. On the other hand I think it is important that history show that most presidents do not have a mandate from the people as they like to claim. When he speaks about the people of the United States wanting something done, he is only speaking for approximately half of the people of the United States. The popular vote is the only way to document this. At any one time, an administration's policies are only desired and supported by half or less of the population. Kind of gives you a different perspective doesn't it? Approval polls only reflect one issue and usually only what the media has pumped up. The popular vote shows the actual feeling of all voting citizens. If you don't vote than you have not offered an opinion and are sheep and bleating is not worth listening to! Voting, if nothing else, is going on the public record as to how you feel. Given that, even votes for independents are not "lost" but serve as an indication of dissatisfaction with both candidates.

Presidents are not kings and chosen by GOD, and like Prime Ministers, you don't have to believe that every thing they do is "right". Now if we can just get the Presidents to understand that!

[Curiousgb]

Naw...wrong forum for me..LOL...

just seemed a little harsh... Im sure you would have done the same

Perhaps, it was harsh. It was a baited question and I took the bait. But he asked.

[fury2neon]

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S WHY.

Ummm,... There actual is no RIGHT to vote. Please check your constitution. Voting is a privilege, not a right. There are amendments that specify that voting can not be prohibited for race, gender, etc... but there is still no RIGHT to vote. Sorry dude.

[analog_kidd]

I think voting is something we all should do, since people fought and died for the right. Now, that said, if people don't know the issues and just go in and Christmas tree the ballot, then they should stay home. I don't care if they have an opinion that differs from mine, but have a definite opinion when you go. My $0.02

[Im Neero]

To be perfectly honest, your vote won't matter in Tennessee.

Also, to the "if you don't vote you don't have the right to complain crowd": Why not? If you vote for someone and they turn out to be not so great, can you complain then? Why?

[Mike.357]

Interesting answers, all.

The ones that make me chuckle are those who go vote for who they think will win, irregardless of who the better candidate is.

still debating...

to add, even if one does not vote they very much still have the right to bitch. I think that falls under the right to pursue happiness.

[Guest unreconstructed1]

Ummm,... There actual is no RIGHT to vote. Please check your constitution. Voting is a privilege, not a right. There are amendments that specify that voting can not be prohibited for race, gender, etc... but there is still no RIGHT to vote. Sorry dude.

exactly. if it was a right, there'd be a half a million ways to prohibit it....

and as for why our founders fought, I thought it was to keep Statists and Socialists from forcing their will uponn the population ( much like either of the duopoly candidates currently running will do)

[Oh Shoot]

Ummm,... There actual is no RIGHT to vote. Please check your constitution. Voting is a privilege, not a right. There are amendments that specify that voting can not be prohibited for race, gender, etc... but there is still no RIGHT to vote. Sorry dude.

Well, there is no right to vote for president, only for House and Senate from the residents of each state.

I, for one, don't think we SHOULD vote for president.

Let the House and Senate, who you DID put in place by your vote, select the president.

Presidential elections have become the American Idol show of politics.

There's something just wrong about spending a billion dollars for a 400,000 dollar a year job.

- OS

[Guest unreconstructed1]

Well, there is no right to vote for president, only for House and Senate from the residents of each state.

I, for one, don't think we SHOULD vote for president.

Let the House and Senate, who you DID put in place by your vote, select the president.

Presidential elections have become the American Idol show of politics.

There's something just wrong about spending a billion dollars for a 400,000 dollar a year job.

- OS

personally, I agree with the constitution. I believe that the people should vote for Representatives, and the State legislatures should vote on the senate.

that way, we have a say through our representatives, and the State has a say through it's representatives. since we did away with that practice, the State has lost more and more rights, until they are now nothing more than provinces under the central authority.

[Oh Shoot]

personally, I agree with the constitution. I believe that the people should vote for Representatives, and the State legislatures should vote on the senate....

Well, the 17th amendment is part of the constitution, which calls for direct election of Senators by the state's residents.

- OS

[DWARREN123]

Not only a right but a duty. If you do not vote then you loose you right to say anything about what happens even if your candidate does not win.

Do nothing and we all loose.

[Curiousgb]

While the title of the Voting Rights Act might imply that it established an explicit right to vote for President for U.S. citizens, there is no such federal right. However, the Voting Rights Act and three constitutional amendments that prevent discrimination in granting the franchise have established in United States Supreme Court jurisprudence that there is a "fundamental right" in the franchise, even though voting remains a state-granted privilege. However, states are given considerable leeway when it comes to this "fundamental right".

[Guest Grout]

To vote or not to vote that is the question.The choice is yours and I think you already know the answer.Great idea for a thread though.