should a person vote just because its a right or should they not if they really dont know the issues?
918593
Its not like you have to vote for EVERYONE running in EVERY political office in the nation.. Just you local reps... And you should Vote, if only for your own good.. For example, one topical highly debated is whether or not to raise the minimum wage from 5.15 to 7.50... You want the minimum wage raised dont you? Find out which of your local candidates supports it and go vote.. Or maybe you dont believe in abortion or stem cell research... Or even raising taxes at the DMV... Take 5 mintues to learn something, then get your a$$ out there and VOTE.... You Hippe...
728686
Real issues. Party matters not at all. As for morals/values. I wouldn't trust any politician to try to tell me about morals. If I'm voting on the morals they stand for, I want nothing to do with it.
703911
Only those who want to vote should vote ,other wise you would have people voting who where not well informed.
215271
Maybe not education per se; rather, how about a simple multiple-choice test on the pertinent issues?  If people could prove that they understand what is at stake in an election, perhaps they would vote more intelligently.
299326
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.
686612
It's OK, but I would start by introducing the topic. "The idea of requiring potential voters to take and pass a test before being allowed to vote is a controversial one. My team and I concur that this is an unfair requirement which violates many American's constitutional rights."
831155
I agree.  We do not need people voting who just "doing their civic duty".  It is more important to be an informed voter and know who you are helping put into office.
503202
General citizen is having a very specific right in this regard. What they have to do is stand up, elect good leaders who take decision as per public intentions and wish. If you sit in your house on election day and think that others wil vote for he person of your liking then you can just remain mute spectator of all this.
479716
Yes - I find the whole process fascinating.  I also believe that voting is an informed decision making process, so I keep up with local, state and national issues so I can make an informed decision.  How can a person complain about the state of things in their city, state and country if they are not well informed as to what is going on AND they don't vote!  If you don't exercise your right to vote, you shouldn't complain about the state of things.
681672
Absolutely. I have voted Republican, Democrat, Green, and Libertarian in my life. It should be about issues, not party. Locking yourself into one party limits your freedom of speech and lessens the value of your vote.\n\nNoboby's views are exactly the same. We are all individuals.
847750
maybe I'm wrong but,i think people vote for the man or woman that stands for the rights of the people so we can have the better chose of our freedom in things like health,jobs and better pay,lower cost for meds and then retirement.\nwe need to vote for things that will help us to make life a little bit better then it is now.\nthis person has to make me really believe that he or she can make my life easy to make it better for me to live.\nnot turn around and tax the hell out of me.
785705
I think it is a civic duty for every American citizen to vote. But you are very right that an ignorant vote may defeat your own purpose, because when you randomly vote for anyone on the ballot that somehow seems at the moment to possibly be the better choice, even though you know absolutely nothing about that persons history or views, you may actually help elect someone who does not have your best interest in mind. Even voting blindly straight down for one particular party, but you really don't know if some of them do not represent you political views, you may be making a mistake.\n\nHaving said that, I urge that all Americans start caring to research the candidates before any election and become INFORMED and there fore be an informed voter for a better America. I am Republican because I believe in Republican values in general, and I vote mostly Republican, but I will vote Democrat or Independent or Green, too, if I like that candidate better for his or her voting history or moral outlook over the Republican alternative. I voted for Bush and I stand by him now even when there is so much Bush bashing going on all around me, because I have done my homework and I see that he is an honest man who is doing his best and has the right ideas. I do also resent that there are so many stupid people who want to undermine our leadership in a terribly dangerous time of war which weakens our position and makes all the other countries laugh at us. And, I don't believe in blindly following a trend that hates one candidate or loves another just to be popular not really understanding all there is to it. So, before you vote, please study all of the issues in depth and know what your candidate really stands for, and don't listen to partisan propaganda to form your opinions.
22254
Well, it is my opinion that a congressman should vote in a constitutional manner, not a personal one. However, one's personal opinions often determine the manner in which they interpret the constitution. \n\nI figure that the people vote for the candidate with whom they agree on most issues, thus the elected official holds the same ideals as his constituents.
785690
You make an excellent point first of all. There are indeed many people who vote with minimal knowledge of the issues and of what's at stake. I can attest to being one of those people myself, but the fact of the matter is, I know the basics of whom I will vote for and whom I will not (I live in Michigan), and to propose a test to qualify to vote is essentially stripping people of their right to vote all over again. I blame the Government Officials (I do not use the term 'Politician') because they make it into a popularity contest. I also blame the media because they egg it on, but I digress.
1162569
peoples apathy.  you get what you vote for.  if you don't vote you dont have the right to complain if what you get is not what you want.
402155
You will never win this one, the law of the land says it's legal, in controlled and certain conditions, that should be good enough, unless you don't like democracy. If you do then vote. and make yourself heard through the democratic way.
905791
Sometimes local or State laws are put to "referendum".  That means the voters have a direct relationship as to whether the law gets passed or not.  Otherwise the only thing you can do is write to your representatives and tell them how you feel about a particular law or issue and they vote to their conscience, perhaps taking the citizen's opinions into account.