General Discussion

Sirveri

(4,517 posts)

49. The typical argument in reply is that it legitimizes the system.

Sat Mar 22, 2014, 09:18 PM

Mar 2014

If you participate, then it could be argued that you support the system. I vote, but I don't really support the system, it's clearly broken. My response is that not voting doesn't do anything to tear down the system either. I'd love to try mandatory voting for an 8 year period, just to see what it was like and what results it got. There are a lot of changes I'd like to see made to the system, even just as test runs. Not voting has a bit less of a chance of making such changes compared with voting, so there isn't a real reason not to vote.

Maybe you do support the system, I'd be hard pressed to say that it's really a decent system though. Can you trust a politician installed by the system to work to change it? Most dogs are smart enough not to bite the hand that feeds them.

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I vote. I've voted in every election since 1970. Midterms, presidential elections, doesn't matter. [View all] scarletwoman Mar 2014 OP

That's a fine post pscot Mar 2014 #1

Thank you. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #4

You, my dear, will never be invisible... arthritisR_US Mar 2014 #8

Me too. frazzled Mar 2014 #2

It actually comes down to "use it or lose it", doesn't it. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #10

So do I. Le Taz Hot Mar 2014 #3

A long time ago one of my favorite oldtime DUers made the point that if you don't vote, scarletwoman Mar 2014 #11

+100000000 woo me with science Mar 2014 #46

Me 3 MFM008 Mar 2014 #5

Thank you. I see from your profile that you live in western WA. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #15

I dearly hope your attitude is infectious! arthritisR_US Mar 2014 #6

Well, we'll see. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #12

I echo your sentiments... arthritisR_US Mar 2014 #14

Cool post Egnever Mar 2014 #7

+100! nt arthritisR_US Mar 2014 #9

Thank you. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #13

O.K. ... you're paying attention. 1000words Mar 2014 #16

"They... simply don't care." So? Why should I make it easier for them not to care by not voting? scarletwoman Mar 2014 #20

The typical argument in reply is that it legitimizes the system. Sirveri Mar 2014 #49

Well said! Thank you for weighing in! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #51

I may have missed 1986 hfojvt Mar 2014 #17

I can totally understand, I've relocated quite bit from state to state over the years. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #21

Excellent post and very well said. Autumn Mar 2014 #18

Thank you. At a time when so many of our rights are under assault, why in the world scarletwoman Mar 2014 #23

In over forty years I have not missed one election, Not a single one Autumn Mar 2014 #55

Good post. I've voted in justhanginon Mar 2014 #19

Thank you for your post! Those are excellent reasons to vote - a clear conscience, and the right to scarletwoman Mar 2014 #24

Good point. I have voted in all elections since JFK. The one time I was angry enough to say I was jwirr Mar 2014 #22

Good for your daughters! And good for you for raising them well. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #26

Recommend. That's my story as well. nt Zorra Mar 2014 #25

Thanks! I'm glad to have you as a fellow voting proponent! (nt) scarletwoman Mar 2014 #28

EXCEPTIONAL post...in the words of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.. VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #27

Thank you. As I said above in another post, scarletwoman Mar 2014 #29

beyond me...but then there is Ralph Nader.... VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #36

I'm with you G_j Mar 2014 #30

Thanks, G_j! It's great to see you! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #34

If voting didn't change things, the GOP wouldn't be making it harder for people to vote struggle4progress Mar 2014 #31

Yes, that is a good point and I don't disagree. I'm just looking at it from a different angle. scarletwoman Mar 2014 #33

yes G_j Mar 2014 #45

"It's generally not that big a deal." Yes, that's another thing! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #47

in states where voter suppression has been legislated G_j Mar 2014 #48

That's so important! Very good post! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #50

I can attest to that G_j Mar 2014 #54

+1 stage left Mar 2014 #39

Me too. We lost most elections WhiteTara Mar 2014 #32

Thank you for being a fellow voter! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #35

K&R stage left Mar 2014 #37

Wonderful post! Very well said! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #40

YES! Agony Mar 2014 #38

Thank you. I've worked as an election judge, and it's great work! (nt) scarletwoman Mar 2014 #41

Right on. Blue_In_AK Mar 2014 #42

And let us never underestimate the value of "earning the right to complain"! scarletwoman Mar 2014 #43

Evening kick. (nt) scarletwoman Mar 2014 #44

i may have voted in the muni election in 99 fizzgig Mar 2014 #52

Me too. Every election since 1972. femmocrat Mar 2014 #53