JFF HONEST, Non-paritsan, Non-hostile, Since It's Voting Season....

I can't even begin to fathom being "uninterested" OR "uninformed". It's just not how I am made. I need to know what is happening in this world I live in. I can't think of a subject that I'm not interested in knowing more about.

So, I guess if people exist that really don't give a rip, then they should stay home instead of randomly filling in circles...

When I was 18, but uninformed and disinterested, whoever my parents endorsed, I voted for. My first time going against my parents was in 1988 when Jesse Jackson ran and they didn't support him. Since then, I have cast my vote following my own desires.

Well, if you don't vote then you give up your bitching rights, and bitching rights is what this country was founded on, right?

;)

Suffragettes everywhere are spinning in their graves right now.
Perhaps civics refresher courses should be offered or required about once per decade.

Why would anyone NOT vote? I mean, people died for our rights to vote. Men spilled their blood on the battlefield, women risked their lives and reputations. We're so freaking spoiled in this country. There are people in the world RIGHT NOW who are fighting for the right to vote and hold elections, or are under the rule of people they had absolutely no control over, and here, where we can have a say in our government, are people just "la la la" doing nothing. If you don't like how things are done, find a way to lobby for change. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about anyone in office, any taxes, anything.

A., interesting question. I absolutely see your point. What I wouldn't go as far as to say is that someone has no business voting if they don't have a clue. It is a privilege to vote, but it's also a right. One person on here said last year that people should have to take a test to vote. I asked who would administer that test? The dems, the republicans, who? The answers to the questions would change based on the bias of the test giver. What it really reminded me of were Jim Crow laws when blacks WERE made to take a test and they were told that they didn't pass and couldn't vote. That is racism, pure and simple.

There are lots of reasons why people vote, and some of them don't make sense. However, there are people who really do know what the issues are, but their opinions of those issues are opposite of other people's opinions of those issues. When it comes down to it, it's kind of all the same, as if they know nothing about the issues anyway...

Anyway, I guess at the end of the day I feel that people ought to go vote unless they really just do not want to.

Now, how is that for non-partisanship!

Dawn

When someone on TV says "just vote, I don't care who you vote for", they are speaking to the people on thier side, which is a given due to the show they are on. For instance, if a Country singer says on CMT awards - "just vote"...she is encouraging the majority R audience that watches that show. When a stand up comedian says on Jon Stewart - "just vote", they know they are speaking to a Dem audience. No need to tell them who to vote for.

People that don't know anything about who they are voting for are still voting thier values if following a loved ones lead. Voting D or R is voting for one philosophy or the other. D doesnt just run around marrying R. (Unless you're a Carrville and then all bets are off)

Because you have the well thought vote on both sides and the idiot vote on both sides. Each cancels the other out until a winner is found.

I am joking with the terms but the substance is true. Everything has their opposite, in theory there are just as many people of every thought process disbursed throughout each party. They all make up the electorate.

In a perfect world, only the well informed would vote....or drive or serve meals or support charities or preach the gospel.

We don't live in a near perfect world. Even the people who think they are well informed, A., have only the information that they have decided is true. When you achieve perfection, let us know.

All we really have is the chance to vote for someone we think will represent our views. We don't even know what the issues are that they will be called upon to make decisions about. The is a reason all the presidents age so quickly while in office. They didn't even know all they needed to know.

So when you judge the person's competency in the next voting booth, remember there are good people who fought and died for their right to do so.
Whether right or wrong or clueless.
Imperfect humans are all we have as there is no Human 2.0. We don't get more intelligent we just get more info and have the same capacity to process it or not.

Yes, me the rabid republican, who wants voter ID, believes all who have the right to vote should.

I vote - I am an informed voter.

I have (over)heard people talking in the voting poll lines over the years about why they are voting for "so and so" - some are clueless. Spouting reasons that are not reasons, platforms that are just wrong, etc. But they are proud to be standing in that line and proud to be performing their civic duty. {sigh} They are raising another generation of un or mis informed voters.

We were talking today at work, and really, popular votes, in the Presidential election, are rather pointless due to the Electoral College.

Statistically, you only need three people to vote in each state for a winner to be chosen by the Electoral College.

Despite, or maybe in spite of, all of this, I continue to read and research and form my own, educated opinions of the candidates. On all levels, local, state, and federal. I continue to vote. And I continue to teach my son how to be an informed citizen.

Is it important for everyone to vote? Eh, in a perfect world, wherein the actual votes counted, then yes. In our world wherein it is presumed that a certain percentage of voters represents the whole, and that percentage is translated into the Electoral College, then no. (remember the chads LOL)

I agree that is seems insane to encourage people who are completely uninformed to vote.
However, there is the psychological element that comes into play when you have a person who is not a "participant" in the political system. There is a mindset that can change from a "victim" to someone who is taking charge. From being instructed what the laws are, to becoming a part of how they are made.
Granted... not many people out there saying "get out and vote" put it that way. And maybe they don't even think about those kinds of ramifications... but if you just look back a few generations and see how those who were not allowed the vote felt about their place in society, you can see how actually voting could give a person a feeling of empowerment that just might spill out into other areas of their lives.... Not everyone who doesn't vote is irresponsible in their daily lives or feels like they aren't in charge of their destiny. I'm not saying that. But for those that do have a mindset in that vein, encouraging them to go vote could be the first step to get them to realize they are responsible for their lives in general.
Again... not trying to make it a blanket statement about anybody who doesn't vote. But for SOME of those who don't or haven't voted...

I'll give you an example.. remember when you were in high school, and you felt like an adult in a child's body being told what to do, when to study, what classes you needed, all these expectations on you and you had NO SAY? And the first election you were able to participate in after that... did you feel grown up? What about the first time you donated blood? The first time you bought a car on your own? People who don't have any control FEEL like they have no say. Voting can get you on your way to feeling (and therefore being) responsible for yourself.
I have a niece (she's almost 30) post on her FB this past week that she just did something (something inane, I don't really remember what) and she felt "so grown up!"... she was giddy over it. She's ALMOST 30! She has a 2 1/2 year old daughter! She OUGHT to feel grown up. And I'd bet dollars to donuts she didn't bother to vote in the last presidential election. She and her husband have struggled financially trying to figure out school and jobs, etc. The end of this year they both are finally employed. I'll bet you she votes this year.

Well as a woman we must vote because not that long ago we did not have the right to vote. Woman before us had to stand up and deal with quite a lot for our right to vote. . Many countries we are still less than cattle. How can we not vote. As for the candidates they throw quite a lot of junk half not true. You basically have to see what each side really wants and see which is in line with what ou want. Then you vote for them and hope they can deliver lol

while voting is our freedom & privilege as citizens, I also believe it is our duty to be informed about the world around us. Without embracing that feeling of responsibility, where would that leave us? My call on that status would be: victims. & I refuse to allow myself to be a victim.

as a Navy Aunt, I also believe that my beloved Nephew is putting his life on the line to defend that voting freedom for us. Both of my Uncles spent their early adult years fighting in Vietnam, & have paid high prices medically for that time served. My beloved Mom spent 8 years as Mayor of her tiny village working towards a better world. & My Great Grandfather was a State Representative, a lawyer, an ordained minister, a schoolteacher, & a farmer......a very unique man who made it his life to stand tall & be a proud American. We all hope to follow in his footsteps.

& that is why I make sure I am ready to vote.

Good question....thanks!

I don't know why uninformed people bother to vote.
Maybe "ignorance is bliss"!

It is your CIVIC DUTY TO VOTE. Period. If you do not vote - you cannot complain. I know I'm not the only one who thinks/feels this way.

No. I would NOT and HAVE not voted the same as my spouse pr parent. it is MY vote. Not theirs. It is MY VOICE. My vote is MY VOICE.

We are a REPUBLIC. Not a Democracy.

Republic:
Its purpose is to control The Majority, as well as all others among the people, primarily to protect The Individual’s God-given, unalienable rights and therefore for the protection of the rights of all minorities, and the liberties of people in general.

The definition of a Republic is: a constitutionally limited government of the representative type, created by a written Constitution--adopted by the people and changeable (from its original meaning) by them only by its amendment--with its powers divided between three separate Branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial.

Democracy
Rule by Omnipotent Majority. In a Democracy, The Individual, and any group of Individuals composing any Minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of The Majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man.

I look at it a different way...as in 'it doesn't matter who you vote for as long as you vote'...

.....but I was raised the old school way, where I was taught from a very early age, that no one, ever, has the right to ask you who you voted for....and that you absolutely NEVER had to tell anyone, EVER who you voted for. That basically to put it bluntly: It's no one's business but your own!

So maybe that's where it comes from??

I have to say I have always agreed. I think if you are unfamiliar with the issue or candidates, just throwing in a vote for the sake of voting is irresponsible. Everyone should be educated and vote responsibly, but some will never have an interest.

I have always voted for one cause or another and as I got older I voted for more issues and values that I have, and my opinions have changed as I got older. You mature and your values change.

This saying "It doesn't matter who you vote for, just get out and vote" was started by meaning that the person isn't endorsing one party or candidate so they were saying to please go out and vote for whatever candidate you favor. Today, it seems to mean what you are stating, just go out and vote for whatever even if you're not informed. I think the intent now is if people get into the voting process the first time then eventually they'll become interested and informed and go out and vote more often... with meaning. Does seem strange though, doesn't it. I don't understand how people these days can be confused on who to vote for, at least for general purposes. Go onto and take a test to see what topics you are for and against and see if you're leaning conservative or liberal. Look at the candidates records. Has the president met his promises? Has his economy gotten better? Is Romney's record as Governor met your standards? I think it's an easy choice if you know what your values and needs are.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

The following explains the difference between a democracy and a republic. Great read!

http://www.c4cg.org/republic.htm

I think the point is not that you should go out and make an uninformed decision, but that you should take a moment or two to educate yourself, then make an informed decision. It is also fair that a person allow someone they trust to help them make that decision. I stay informed about politics, and I instruct my husband how he should vote, because I will instruct him to vote for the party that will be in the best interest of our family.