General Discussion

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

37. everyone should inform themselves and vote, however...

Fri Sep 19, 2014, 12:40 PM

Sep 2014

when you're a rich white Republican male, usually Congress and the President make policies favorable to you.

When you're a poor, minority Democratic female (to give the other side of the spectrum), the policies are many times not favorable to you.

Many people hate politics, for understandable reasons. Many don't have the time or energy to pursue a thorough understanding. Many don't have the time and/or the money to donate to causes and candidates.

My point is, I can understand why so many don't vote. It won't matter anyway, in their mind. Should everyone get informed and vote ? Yes, of course.

I say all this as a yellow-dog Democrat, who has voted for Democratic candidates 100% of the time since 1976, and who voted and donated twice to President Obama. I think it's undeniable that the system is rigged against the poor, even the middle class many times, and minorities.

YMMV.

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Dear America [View all] WilliamPitt Sep 2014 OP

We aren't allowed a say in the big stuff. That's always been the difference Romulox Sep 2014 #1

We'd have more of a say if we showed up treestar Sep 2014 #2

Nonsense. For the big stuff (war, bank bailouts, NSA spying, etc.) they just TELL us Romulox Sep 2014 #4

Laws are made by elected officials treestar Sep 2014 #5

And elected officials are bought and sold, often with money "kicked back" from the very programs Romulox Sep 2014 #7

you are right but you know what? Dyedinthewoolliberal Sep 2014 #29

So what? mahina Sep 2014 #42

No they don't buy the elections treestar Sep 2014 #48

The ones who show up are numbed Plucketeer Sep 2014 #23

And the party machines, for the most part, ensure that the "choices" we have to make Maven Sep 2014 #47

Then you vote out the idiots who tell us what they're going to do and don't listen to the voters. bulloney Sep 2014 #15

My Representative has had the job since 1955. Before him, his dad held the seat. Romulox Sep 2014 #17

Pretty similar to my district. bulloney Sep 2014 #19

Dingell? nt navarth Sep 2014 #65

What really sucks is that you can't vote out the string-pullers who buy the idiots. Jester Messiah Sep 2014 #20

That's it, exactly! SammyWinstonJack Sep 2014 #26

that is the trouble with the question though hfojvt Sep 2014 #35

Yes, it would be better to do 435 polls treestar Sep 2014 #49

Most people are stuck on voting D - each 840high Sep 2014 #36

Oh please, do you see any better with Republicans, no they have been the hold up by plan for a few Thinkingabout Sep 2014 #55

Why not vote for the 840high Sep 2014 #69

You forgot TPP n/t ReRe Sep 2014 #16

It is indeed, collectively much easier and much more convenient to blame "them" LanternWaste Sep 2014 #32

So what do we do then? BuelahWitch Sep 2014 #45

Ideally, yes. Orsino Sep 2014 #46

Turnout for the last Scottish parliament election in 2011 was around 40%. Spider Jerusalem Sep 2014 #3

While I haven't decided whether I should be disappointed or relieved at the results of Scottish vote hlthe2b Sep 2014 #6

Yes, I have heard doubt about the validity of the election, freedom fighter jh Sep 2014 #10

Silly. With a turnout that high, it would take an astronomical amount of "cheaters" to sway hlthe2b Sep 2014 #12

If 84% of America showed up to vote, things would change FAST. Triana Sep 2014 #8

I wish that were true F4lconF16 Sep 2014 #54

So 16% of scots are stupid? Boom Sound 416 Sep 2014 #9

Could be, because to not care enough to vote on a question like that treestar Sep 2014 #51

Indifference = stupidity? Boom Sound 416 Sep 2014 #52

no, but then it seems like something that might actually affect people's lives treestar Sep 2014 #57

Life happens. Boom Sound 416 Sep 2014 #58

I am surprised strawberries Sep 2014 #11

I agree. 100%. 99Forever Sep 2014 #13

We have two choices, diet or regular. CentralMass Sep 2014 #14

Most think they have one choice - vote 840high Sep 2014 #38

Well, you must admit... ReRe Sep 2014 #18

Yep. geardaddy Sep 2014 #21

I think it's Australia where voting is MANDATORY. world wide wally Sep 2014 #22

the election is held on Saturday too treestar Sep 2014 #50

54 recs for this? Dawgs Sep 2014 #24

Yeah, cuz voting sucks. WilliamPitt Sep 2014 #27

Voting's not the issue. Dawgs Sep 2014 #31

The communication style of the OP seems unlikely to reach its intended target. RadiationTherapy Sep 2014 #56

I like to thinks that more Buddaman Sep 2014 #25

Oh yes, I was thinking the same thing.. mountain grammy Sep 2014 #28

So the 60%(stupid people), can blame us 40%(dumb asses) for our current state of affairs? Glassunion Sep 2014 #30

Dear Mr. Pitt... yuiyoshida Sep 2014 #33

let me help 1dogleft Sep 2014 #73

If 60 + 40 = 100 and 52 + 58 = 100, what happens to the extra 10? Or is one missing a 10? valerief Sep 2014 #34

everyone should inform themselves and vote, however... steve2470 Sep 2014 #37

Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Sep 2014 #39

I approve of stupid people not voting. tclambert Sep 2014 #40

i tend to agree with you on this GusBob Sep 2014 #41

I vote yes on this Boom Sound 416 Sep 2014 #59

So many Americans are willfully ignorant - pathetic! polichick Sep 2014 #43

FDR: Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate pampango Sep 2014 #44

Have mid term elections jambo101 Sep 2014 #53

I bet 82 and 94 were big Boom Sound 416 Sep 2014 #60

"That means about 60% of you are stupid. " < Or, that 100% of the choices stink like freshly jtuck004 Sep 2014 #61

50% of Scots voted in the most recent election for the Scottish Parliament. Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #62

Not voting when eligible is a good indication that someone is afflicted with teh stupid. Zorra Sep 2014 #63

Vote and take your Duval Sep 2014 #64

well, for starters, it would help if we had free and fair and transparent elections. kath Sep 2014 #66

EXACTLY! marym625 Sep 2014 #67

When the South votes to secede we'll probably get the same number. Kablooie Sep 2014 #68

The only way to get 84% of Americans to do Mr.Bill Sep 2014 #70

In addition to those 60% who are stupid, add +/- 50% of those who vote as stupid too. This indepat Sep 2014 #71

I disagree with you. Have you spoken to those that don't vote? If so, do you think they are stupid? rhett o rick Sep 2014 #72