Do you think it is important to vote?\nDo you take the time to really understand who and what you are voting for?\nAre you one of those (Australians) who posts blank ballot papers?\nIf you don't vote (and are eligible to) why don't you?
124598
I vote, but I live in the U.S.  In my opinion voting is definitely important.  I also think that people that don't vote should not run their mouths about who is currently in office because had they taken the time to go vote they may have been able to sway the outcome of the election.
365719
I voted first thing this morning!  The lines were pitifully short, and I really hope it picks up.  \n\nThe link below has info on polling places, hours, and sample ballots for every district in the entire country.\n\nVOTE!!!
195533
Is there a 'right' to vote? Or should we take a different view and argue that it is a 'privilege' to vote? Let's see.\n\nIf voting is a 'right', especially if you call it a 'civil right' then by definition it can not be taken away. Rights can not be lost, for then they would not be 'rights'. Privileges can be lost (ask any teenager!), but not rights. Also, 'rights' belong to everyone equally, so if you have any rules about voting, it can not be a 'right'. Many countries have a minimum voting age. Well, since many countries are filled with convicted criminals that can not vote, as well as underage people that can not vote, voting can not be legally considered a 'right'.\n\nWell then, it is a privilege? If so, there are rules on earning it and on losing it. How does one 'earn' the privilege to vote? Is it by being a landowner? Is it by being born male, or by being old enough? How old is old enough? Is it 18 or 21 years of age?\n\nDo any of these rules, or the many other ones tried by countries over the centuries ensure quality voters? Many of us know people of voting age that are just plain, well, not intelligent voters. We also know people too young to vote that are very careful and intelligent about casting their vote. I know dumb landowners and intelligent renters. If you want to call voting a privilege, I assure you that any line you draw for people to cross in order to 'earn' that privilege will be a flawed line. I offer you the argument that voting is not a privilege.\n\nVoting in political elections is not a right, nor is it a privilege. Then what is it? I contend that it is a grave responsibility. Those that do not agree, should not be allowed to vote. Those that do agree, should be allowed to vote. They should strive hard to make 'informed' decisions which are best for them in the long-term.
220142
I'm going to overlook your bitterness due to the fact you sound cute.  But in answer to your question these same 30% probably have probably never voted in any election (well the majority of them anyway) so they've never thought voting was important in the first place.  The sad part is that they think that voting for some one hit wonder is a thrill so more power to them.
468429
You know.. My 6 year old asked me why I vote this morning.  My answere is very simple... I like to complain, and the only way that i feel like i have a valid excuse to complain is if i atleast vote.  So for me Voting allows me to complain about things be it politics or anything else.
617409
Thanks for the question. I think it is sad how few people vote in every election. People argue passionately but then never vote in elections.\n\nGet registered and vote!! It is your duty as an American citizen.
540075
that is pretty much how i decide who to vote on.  i don't follow politics at all, so i don't see the candidates speaking or anything like that to even have a clue what their personalities are like.  instead a day or two before the vote i get online and do research to see where everyone stands on the issues.  then i vote according to who most agrees with me on what i consider to be important issues.\ni couldn't care less about things like parties or personalities.
463068
Wow may i share something with you??\nMy friend didnt know where to vote nor if they could!\nand you know i went to vote on mine and their behalf and you are correct voting is a must!\nand if you could you should send me the information of these women where you read this or you should contact as many of them as you can and become involved in changing there mind set right away!
617895
I like to know about the candidates and their parties before I vote.  I like to vote for both the party and the candidate.  I don't vote Conservative but if there is a good NDP candidate I may vote for them usually the Liberals get my vote.
450815
It really depends on where you live.  In some states you are automatically registered to vote with your driver's license.  If I was you I would go down to my local polling place and ask them.  It's fun to get out and check it out, even if you are not voting.\n\nAlternatively, if you feel passionately about a race, you can usually volunteer to hand out leaflets, drive shut-ins to polls, etc.  Even if you can't cast a ballot, you can make a difference.  To help out, call the Democrats or Republicans in your area.\n\nPeace!
7343
There is a problem here that goes a little deeper than you might expect.\n\nIn my humble opinion, people in our society have gotten very used to having someone else (i.e. "the government") do things for them.\n\nThey have moved away from (or forgotten) the concept of collaborating with their neighbors, friends, co-workers, acquaintences, etc., to accomplish needed missions and goals.  For instance, the United States has a relatively low voter turnout compared to other countries.  As a matter of fact, sources rank the U.S. in the lowest 25% worldwide in terms of voter turnout among different countries.  It should be noted that some countries such as Belgium, Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Uruguay, to name a few, have compulsory voting.  If you don't vote, you are either fined or disenfranchised.  Compulsory voting is an admirable, if not misguided, attempt at keeping people from becoming complacent.  I believe it is better though to make our decisions freely.  Free will is what was given to us by our Creator, to make right and wrong decisions.  It is what makes us Human. \n\nNow, if we don't tell the government what it is that we want, how can we expect the government to "do anything".  To take it a step further, do we really want the government to "do anything"?  After the tragedy of 9/11, the government "did something" by removing various and sundry civil protections that were afforded to us by federal statute and the Constitution.  Now that's "doing something!"\n\nI, personally, work for the government (a state, but government none-the-less).  Now, I am here to tell you that you really don't want the government "doing anything" without very clear, concise, and incontrovertible, instructions.  It is very important that you go visit at least one government office a week (preferably with a group of your associates) and let them know in very clear terms, what it is that you want them to do. You also could possibly write a letter to the manager or director of the government offices, while sending a copy to your congressman, alderman, commisioner, or what have you, clearly indicating exactly what it is that you think should be done.  Otherwise, the people that work there will go on their merry way, doing what they think they should be doing, when that's not really what they should be doing at all.  But you can't blame them... you didn't tell them!  So how are they to know?  They are people just like you and me.  But sometimes they get isolated and lost, and they forget. At first, it may appear that they are unresponsive.  But that is only because they have gone so long without being reminded what it is that they are supposed to be doing.  It may even be necessary, at first, for you and your associates to stand out in the street in front of the government office, and make a spectacle of yourselves.  But like I said, it's only because the people that work there have forgotten, because we all have gone on our way and left them to their own devices without the guidance, experience, and knowledge, of the body politic. \n\nI noticed in your question that you mentioned your paycheck.  Have you discussed this with your co-workers?  Are they having issues with their paychecks?  Maybe you should consider organising yourselves as a group, and discussing this with your employer?  Perhaps as a group, in negotiations with your employer, you could come up with ways to increase production and efficiency.  This would increase your employer's profit margin and thereby  make it easier for him to give you a raise.  Of course if after you increased his profit margins, he found himself still unable to consider your plight, you would already have formed a group of people with a common bond and concern that would find it within their ability to deal with that too!\n\nSo to answer your question... No, I don't feel particularly betrayed by my government.  I f
140517
Here! Here! I agree 1 thousand percent! It sooo infuriates me, every election year, when I hear all these people go on about what's wrong with our country, and don't bother to vote!\n\nIt seems sometimes like the people who gripe the loudest and the most constant are the least likely to vote. Or do anything else.\nWhen challenged, I've heard "Oh, our votes don't really matter anyway." Well I think we found out after the 2000 election that every vote counted does matter. I've had people tell me they don't know how to vote, how to register, that they heard you might get called for jury duty someday so they won't register---every lame excuse you can think of. And yet they bitch the loudest. If you can't tell, I'm all for active participation. And we need a lot more people to get that way in this country. The middle class is disappearing, the country isn't going the way most Americans want it to--but if we don't get off our butts and make ourselves heard, then in the end it will all be our own faults. Plenty of special groups know how to get their points across --the ASPCA, NAACP, ACLU, NRA et. al.--now how about the Pissed Off Mainstream Americans. (POMA) I think I just invented a new lobby.
286283
On the one hand, I applaud the concept of making every participate in our democracy.  No one should feel marginalized if they had a hand in electing their leader.\n\nOn the other hand, I am like a lot of the Founding Fathers who expressed severe doubts that the average person could make intelligent decisions.  I live in a typically middle class area where you would expect people would have the education and the interest in politics to understand the issues.  However, the amount of fallacious thinking I encounter is downright scary.\n\nI'd have to consider your idea further, but right now my gut tells me this: If someone isn't interested enough to vote of their own volition, how meaningful will making them put an "X" in Box-A, or Box-B ?  A lot of these people would know nothing about the candidates.  I think it would encourage candidates to "dumb down" their campaigns, and pander to certain groups.
355781
See it is very straight forward. What matter for politician is votes because that is what keep them in power. Now if all these students are protesting and doing all these things then why did not they came out in same proportion when election happened. At that time instead of going to polling booth they choose to spend that voting day holiday for enjoying picnic or watching/ playing cricket match. To go for vote is against there status or they consider that as waste of time. Unless and until you bring your representative in power why you want someone to listen to you. Either you maintain 'Till it does not bother me' policy which ended up in two world wars then you cannot expect better. So moral of the story is instead of coming out when it hits us it is better come out during election time and get sensible person elected.
175998
Personally, I believe if a person doesn't know what they believe and why they believe it they should NEVER VOTE and NEVER COMPLAIN.  This goes for those who agenerallygree with me  also.
339209
EXCELLENT QUESTION.I was wondering about the huge computer  vs paper ballot vote this election.Sounds like another election scam in the making
125498
I always vote.  But would love to see all ballots include the official "no vote" choice rather than spoiling the ballot paper.  If the no vote wins then the candidates have to go and rethink and represent their policies.  More expensive to start with but boy would they learn to listen to us rather than just present their offerings.\n\nLuv you.