If you don't vote, you have no right to complain?
918987
No, if you do not vote then you are slapping the face of all the U.S. soliders that died fighting for your right to vote.
436491
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.
435657
I vote at every opportunity I get! I gather all information on prospective candidates, then make a decision based upon my findings. It incenses me to no end, when USA citizens fail to vote, or don't do their homework concerning a potential candidate. I've come too far to relinquish my power to vote! I WILL KEEP THE FAITH! *******************\nLOVE, HONOR, PROTECT, SERVE, BELIEVE, FIGHT, FOR MY BROTHERS, AND SISTERS RIGHT TO VOTE! STAND UP, AND BE HEARD! GIVE ME A HELL YEA, IF YOU HEAR ME! OUR TROOPS, FAMILIES, FREEDOM, AND COUNTRY ARE DEPENDING ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
453005
Yes, but it's our own collective fault.  People don't vote, and yes, that makes a difference.  When individuals don't vote, corporations and institutions have disproportionate power - and corporate interests are very often not common interests.\n\nBefore anyone screams "commie", realize that corporatism is not the same as capitalism - the former gets in the way of the latter.  VOTE to make a change.
1178832
I always vote, and I agree with you. \n\nI have no idea why people do not vote... but they generally are the first to complain about the person elected.
881290
I don't think that voting should be compulsory.  There are a lot of people that know nothing about the issues, and they shouldn't be voting.
763418
If you don't vote, someone else will make decisions about laws that impact your life for you.
385007
Amen Amen.  I do not even listen to people who do not vote.  They can go on and on, and have this great opinion.  (Usually about something they really do not understand).  But don't vote.  It is a huge problem in this country.  You want changes?  Only way it's going to happen is to vote.  We have this incredible right, that so many fought for.  Look at the countries struggling to have their voices heard.
930825
If you are eligible to vote and do not vote, then no, you should not complain. But, if you could not vote because of your age or legal status  then I suppose you can, if and only if you participate in civic affairs.\nI personaly feel that it is not enough to just vote, but to actually get your voice heard through civic participation.
1112652
Entitled to say angry things in a forum such as this?  yes... and you know why? b/c this is the United States... and that's why so many people want to come here.. for that freedom... to voice your opinion in anyway.\n\nEntitled to deny citizenship to those who deserve it while american born citizens sponge off welfare?  Apparently so, b/c that's what I see day in and day out.  I want to know exactly WHERE people that quote monetary figures are getting these figures from... b/c I know that some of those figures are NOT true, \n\nEntitled to fight for our country and defend us?  Well... Apparently only the poor and the ones who want citizenships... b/c that is the current stipulation...\n\nEntitled to allow the ones who wash our dishs, cook our food, do our laundry, clean our houses, mow our lawns, and pick our produce to live in constant fear?  Yes, b/c although we all have utilized their services, yet we turn a blind eye to their true peril to have the chance to come to the US... \n\nEntitled in those ways... I suppose yes... Entitled to close their minds to new ideas? yes... unfortunately...\nEntitled to vote? yes.. but do we no...\n\nIt's sooo sad... b/c we as American Citizens are sooo entitled to so many things, yet we do NOT vote, and we do NOT examine the real issues and look at things from the other side before we form opinions... And b/c we're Americans we are also given that freedom to do so....
373903
There are some key phrases in your question that make me wonder why you think "THEY" ought to do something about the problems. Why don't YOU do something about it? Are YOU an activist? Do you even vote? If you've got all the answers, then PLEASE, get out there and start the revolution!\n\nI'm not really trying to be mean or sarcastic. I hear a LOT of young people complaining and when I ask them if they vote, most of them say no, its a waste of time. Well, now you know why it is NOT a waste of time.\n\nYou did finally end your question by asking why don;t WE all do something about it. I agree. I'm ready to start the revolution, are you with me? I was there in the 60's and I'm ready to do it again. Its the only way we can control our government when they've gotten too big and overpowering.\n\nUse your anger for good. You GO, girl!
127898
What? Is this for real? What are your sources? I don't think they could ever take the right to vote away. There would be too many people against it. There would be an enormous uprising. So, realistically speaking it could never happen.
568282
Do due lack of anything else better to do.  I would be willing to bet that at least a third of them (if not more) did not vote at all in the last election.  \n\nNo vote=no right to gripe.
945437
I believe it varies from state to state. In my state (MN) the employer must give you time off to vote without any penalty. Of course, this doesn't mean you can go vote then go out for breakfast after, and think you won't get in trouble. \n\nUnfortunately, there really isn't much you can do about it now. If you couldn't get out to vote, they won't let you now. The best you can do is find out what the laws are in your area so you are better prepared for the next election.
604735
Are you aware of the Jim Crow laws? They made intelligence tests required. Remember, this legally keeps people from voting. I think almost everyone has an opinion. We should all be allowed to vote, even if we don't like who the people choose. I think if you don't vote everyone should know, and you should be banned from complaining. If you don't care enough about your nation to vote for the leader, what gives you the right to complain about it? This, of course, could not apply to those under eighteen or who were not of legal voting age when the last election occured. I think voter education would be much more productive. Politicians need to tell everyone exactly where they stand on topics, there need to be sheets comparing each persons stand on hot issues distributed to the masses. This can be difficult to do, but if all parties joined to make it happen, we would have smarter voters. People would, in theory, vote for politicians they side with. Then you would know whomever is in office is the favorite.
1088338
people are getting lazy, most think that if they vote it wont make a difference (when it really does) and so they dont vote. when the rest of us make a decision that people dont agree with they gripe. if you vote, congratulations, and if you ever talk to someone who doesnt vote and gripes about the gov't tell them to change it by voting
480993
No, because it doesn't matter if you do vote. Politicians do what they want not what they're elected for, and most voting systems don't allow proper representation.