Why don't more people Vote?

SS MAYFLOAT · Nov 23, 2002

I feel that it is shameful that more people don't vote. I have to admit that I do not participate for my own personal reasons. It is not that I don't think that my vote counts. I feel that the Democrates and Republicans are so busy fighting with each other, they are neglecting their duties as to create solutions that will work for our great country. My education on politics is poor and seems to get worse the more I try to understand it. Here is what has me confused and problably has others in the same position as myself. It is to be a government of our piers. Is this correct? If so, why is all the politicians mostly attorneys? Why is all the politicains mostly college graduates? Last time I checked, not everyone in the US is attorneys or college graduates. So are we really being represented by people of our own piers? Is it possible this could be one of the reasons the people like myself don't vote? I also feel that with less than 50% voting, elections should be considered null until a revote has been done with over 50% voting. Also the poles should remain open longer to let more people have a chance to get out, or change voting methods to be done via computer or phone line. Its real bad for our country to let less than half of the population control the outcome of our country. I want to vote for someone that will be a scholar of common sense, not what he was taught in school. Someone that can work with their hands, get dirty, and looks at work as something to do instead of it being work. Money seems to be the weapon of choice in these campaigns, and it makes me sick. Another reason I don't vote! I know this will cause people to look down on me, but I have my right to say why I don't get involved with it. If things get changed, then I will change my attitude and then vote, but not until then.

DJ · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

SS, That is your right-to not particiapte. Wish you would though. We could be like Irag. Saddam got 100% of the vote and millions were counted overnight. Gee, I wonder if everyone their felt just a little intimidated?

We do not need that here. Voting, like driving and owning a boat are priveleges not a prerequisite for citizenship. I say we keep it that way.

snapperbait · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

I understand your point and respect your choice not to vote SS Mayfloat... I feel like you do about politics in general.... Especialy the Money factor $$$$..... The little independant guy has no chance..... I vote just about every election...It' my Right and I exersize it... I've missed one or two because of things that were out of my control... I don't vote for everything on the ballot... If there's an issue I don't understand or none of the politicians meet my strict approval (not many do) then I leave those parts of the ballot blank.. I don't vote for "The lesser of the two Evils" either.... I really try to make well informed choices and do not stick with one particular political party or the other... Sure do wish some working class people could run for office and have half a chance..... That is what's Shameful and disgusting about it all...

Scoop · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

SS, I vote every election. I try to make informed decision based on all the issues I believe in. I also wish you would vote, but I can understand the frustration. In the governer's elecetion this year I had to vote the lesser of the two evils. Heck one candidate wanted to go through a vote every time we neede a raise in taxes. Sounds good until we need something done. Heck in my town, we cannot even get a school rennovated that has a huge number os safety hazards. Oh it wasd good enough for me. "Kids nowdays need to be taught the basics not computers". Actual quote on the survey. I think campaign finance reform needs to happen. It seems the special interests are buying the election. The statistics seem to support that view. Elect peers? I think that is fine as long as the person is qualified to do the job. Are the people we currently elect qualified? Some of them in some ways. Some are not. I also hate the negative campaigning. It must work or it would not appear. 75% (my own estimate)of the adds for this years governor's race were negative here. I don't like term limits, but I do like campaign finance reform. I think we all need to have longer memories though. How many of those people that ran on term limits actuually held themselves to that? One? Maybe two?

bobber head · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

I think people invest thier time and effort in what they consider important. Everyone has a long list of "things" they would like to do, be it voting, golfing, or raking leaves: it's just that time is limited - so we have to pick. Walking into the polls uninformed has it's own set of issues that one feels while behind the little curtain, no? It's my opinon that there's only a hand full of people in the country that can bare the pressures of the Presidency. I like my peers but doubt they would make it through the first week in office. So, we get stuck with the BIG BOYS and their agendas, which is impossible to be well informed on, and almost as hard to distinguish them from one another. Why vote, when one guy is about as "good" as the next, right? One small item: The Bush campaign was handed 3 million bucks by Energy interests, who knows how much was additionally funneled, and now Bush attempts to knock the teeth out of several long standing environmental protections. Is it any wonder. Make me furious. So I vote. BH

CalicoKid · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Your dollars are votes too! Gas money, that cash is supporting all of the wrong people. Shieks, Energy Corporations, the War Industry, and the corrupted lying scumbag polititions that make their profits from the common person's losses. Who are your dollars supporting?

Moose_Miller · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Mayfloat, It's our "right", and "duty" to vote. I read a statistic the other day that said 75% of people that do vote are over 40 years old... makes sense. I'd kind of rather have it that way anyways. With age comes wisdom, or something like that

Also, voting by phone or internet would open the doors to voter fraud in catastrophic proportions. As for money being the "weapon of choice", well, welcome to capitolism. Snapper, Agreed on the "independant guy", but disagreed on the "lesser of 2 evils"; let me explain. I wanted to vote Buchanon in 2000. I agree on what he stands for, even though he's a little extreme. So extreme, that he hadn't a hope of even coming close. Therefore, my voting for him would be the same as not voting at all... a wasted vote, as it were. Peple that vote independant to "make a statement" are doing nothing more than throwing their vote out the window. My vote was more importantly executed to keep Gore OUT of office, than to get Buchanon IN to office. As for the independant guy having no chance because of money, what about Perot '92? He had more money than God, and all he did was keep George the father from being re-elected. Scoop, You're "dead-ON" on the negative campaigning issue! I think alot of campaigns will change after this last election... we can hope, anyways. Bobber, I agree with you. People should have a real good reason NOT to vote. Though I sure love to swing the Pings, I don't think that's a good reason to miss "pulling the lever". I feel the right to vote, and the right to complain fall into the same category... if a guy doesn't do the 1st, he shouldn't be doing the 2nd. Calico, Maybe I mis-read you post, but are you suggesting we quit driving because we buy fuel from the middle-east? I can understand buying an American car over one made in another country, etc., but what gas station sells American gas? Ethanol would be the only way to know it came from here, and Ethanol is only a 10% blend... where's the other 90% come from? Who knows. OK, off my soapbox; all due respect

CalicoKid · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

I'm only suggesting you be aware of where your hard earned money is going and what it is being used for when you hand it over. And maybe that we could buy LESS gas... Yes there are companies that buy oil from sources other than Saudi Arabia(offshore drills, South America, etc.)Citgo, I believe, is one of them. Anyway I'm sidestepping the original topic here so, Yes I vote. I don't vote on petty issues that the candidates use to push our buttons (of which they usually have little or no control over anyhow). I too feel that the masses are not being represented adequetly by our government. Most of those in lawmaking positions now have been assisted to a huge degree by corporate money, influenced by corporate lobbies (and more money), and are making/changing our laws to favor the same corporations, and the elite billionaires who own them. Sure they were "elected" but what choice did we have? Dirtbag "A" or Dirtbag "B"??? We are afraid that anyone else doesn't have a chance and who wants to vote for a loser? The doublespeak coming from Washington today makes me sick: Clean Air act: Loosens and Eliminates emissions laws on power plants. Healthy Forests Plan: Legalizes clear-cutting formerly protected old-growth forests. Homeland Security Act: Includes provisions for government spying including a database that would include every individual's health, spending, criminal, occupational, travel, information, including internet identities that would track ALL of our visits, purchases, etc. online. How secure does that make you feel? Why not tatoo a MARK on our foreheads and right hands?? Does that sound like freedom??

Homerr · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

I use to vote, but don't anymore in Oregon, cause my vote usually doesn't matter. We vote and get something we want passed, then the lawyers sue and take it away. We vote and get something stopped or banned, and they turn around and pass it anyways. We vote to lower our taxes, and they find some other way to take your money. I'm sick and tired of it all. I'm personally an independant. I don't care for the Republican or Democrat parties. They both are crooked in some manner or other. What has happened to America? They've turned it into a land of 'politically correct' pu**ies (in my opinion) Damned if you do, and damned if you don't vote. Close our borders, throw out ALL illegals, and racial profile. Give the power back to the people like it suppose to be and see what happens with homeloand security. I bet we won't have near the problems. ~off topic~ You hear the latest? A person is suing McDonalds for getting fat from eating their food! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? LOL! This is what America has come to...? Sorry, but anything to do with politics really puts me on edge... H.

Pursuit2150 · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

I vote at every election! But my belief is that most people feel that their vote does not count, those are usally the ones that "Have the most to say about nothing". or they just don't give a damm.

snapperbait · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

The funny part is that here in South Florida your luckey if your vote even gets counted.... Remember 2000 election... What a joke that was... I felt embarased to be a resident of this state... Moose: I told a little fibb.. In our last election I voted for X to keep B out of the Governers office.. Not that I though X would be any better or worse but B is wrecking the state... I had hope that Reno was going to make it but no dice... Lost my thought... Went outside to see the Space Shuttle go up, and man it was great...Wow, what a sight... Clear sky and 65 degrees... Oh yeah... I don't think it's the big guys who are gonna get us. It's the little guys you have to watch out for.. Those on the state and local levels in a way will effect you more than say the President or Governor.. Homerr: you're not too far off... If I may quote you.. "Close our borders, throw out ALL illegals, and racial profile. Give the power back to the people like it suppose to be and see what happens with homeloand security. I bet we won't have near the problems." Darn Right... Remember the boat load of Hatians who landed here a few weeks ago... Shows how well Homeland Security works...

jee70611 · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

I didn't vote this time, because I have been too busy with work and school to be adequately informed. I'm kinda mad at myself for not taking the time to learn a little about the people and their issues. I think one should be informed about the issues before voting or they can do more damage than good. Now, I know it is true for the majority of the population, that wisdom comes with age. However, this is not ALWAYS the case. I don't mean to sound arrogant, (I don't think I am

) but I am nineteen and feel like I am a lot wiser than a lot of my peers. Now about the oil issue, we say to ourselves, "Why don't we quit buying oil from the Middle East?" Here is what I think. We do have reserves of our own, but we want to preserve those as best we can. We will continue to buy their oil for as long as we can in order to preserve ours. We do this because if we were "cut off," we wouldn't be as hard pressed. That is just one of many issues that Congress and the president have to deal with. International diplomacy is a VERY touchy topic. If you just stop to think what all the president and congress have to deal with, you'll begin to understand why sometimes they are hesitant to go to war. It's all so very complicated that anyone would have a hard time dealing with it. Now, as far as republicans and democrats, I am neither. I am not a liberal who wants to obolish hunting and fishing. Nor do I want think that we should be giving handouts to all these LAZY A$$ people who think they can't work because they have a little pain. I don't think that we should be dishing out free medicine and health care to people who don't deserve it. Meanwhile, my grandmother who is on a fixed income and worked all her life can't get her health care taken care of. I believe that welfare and the like are great for those who need it. I have no problem with funding it for those who do. However, when I see some a$$hole who thinks he can't work because his finger hurts a little, I get hotter than a lit firecracker. It makes me sick. I used to have a neighbor who was on disability because he fell off a ladder, hurt his back, and "couldn't work." This same guy would build hurricane fences and do back-flips on his trampoline. All the while, mouching off of MY paycheck. Another neighbor even videotaped it and drove to the disability office and tried to turn it in to them. They said they weren't interested becuase they didn't have the TIME to investigate it. They sure had time to issue him disability didn't they. Things like this make me so angry. Hmm.... Maybe I should try to get elected so I can change some of this crap.

Also, I don't think that the "rich" man should be punished (taxed to death) because he took the initiative and made himself rich. Nor do I think that the "poor" man should be taxed to death either. I believe in equitable pay for all. In this country, we all have EQUAL OPPORTUNITY to advance and be well off. I personally don't come from a rich family. We live payday-to-payday for the most part. I don't live in a huge, fancy house either. Nor do I envy those who do. Just remember, this is the United States of America and we all have the opportunity to better ourselves. That is one of our core principals as a nation. What do the rest of you think? James

SpinnerBait_Nut · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Yea, I vote ever election, but hey, what difference does it make? They are all liars anyway. Say what they think the voter's want to hear to get elected, then do what they want once in office.

bobber head · Nov 23, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Jee- We do not have the resources nor production to meet our energy needs. Those needs are ever increasing. Without foreign oil our life style would tail spin into into toilet: being "cut off" is not an option. No where else do you see long lines of SUV's, idling in the extreme summer heat, with A/C units full blast, containing one person, waiting their turn in the Krispy Creme drive-inn. Liberal ban on fishing?

I am sorry for your Grandmothers health care issues. One shouldn't have to worry over things promised them after a life of working. Welfare, like SS, is a huge system. And as such, people fall through the cracks. The bigger the system the bigger the cracks. Thus an interest sprang up in Mutual Funds some years back, eh? I think it would be nice to 19 again, for about 3 days, then return back to my current age for a long nap. Enjoy, vote your guts, and for god's sake - make good grades. BH

mellowyellow · Nov 24, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

everyone should vote, but appathy has gotton so bad in our society that a lot of people don't really care or think it makes no difference. 2 things I think would help are; term limits and campaign finance reform. there should be no such thing as career politicians! serve 1 or 2 terms and then go live in the real world. maybe then they would really know what it's like to live like the rest of us. might change their views on a few issues.... why do the incumbents win 95% of all elections anyways? they get their campaigns paid for by the "party". saw Strom Thurman's last day in office on CNN. this guy is 90 and can barely move. who keeps electing these people anyhow! I'll tell you, it's the people who vote who I think are mostly seniors. nothing against senior citizens, but they have a whole different set of priorities than the general population. they are an enourmous "special interest" group that is well organized and funded. but they are just one of several examples with deep pockets. the 2 go hand in hand... if you want to stay in office, you gotta play ball with these groups. If you only had 1 term and couldn't run for re-election, you really wouldn't care so much and may be more likely to vote your concience. just my .02....

SS MAYFLOAT · Nov 24, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Hi Again Boaters and Voters. I guess I should mention that I am a registered voter. I did vote more in my 20's and 30's than I do now. However they say the elders of our country vote more. I guess that I have become more attentive to what is going on in this country since I have gotten older. I just don't like how and who is to do what. I do get so depressed when the elections are over. Seeing stuff that is important to our childrens and our own future getting defeated. We all know health care is a big issue. In Ohio doctors are leaving the state or changing there career. Why is that? Malpractice insurance!

Why is the insurance so high? Because the attorneys end up with the big money. Yes, I am mad as can be at attorneys. And then to think that our country is being run by them. Then we all wonder why we have the problems that we have. This is just bull!

Most of them look at the Blue Collar workers and lower class citizens as idiots that don't know what there doing. What the attorneys is doing is taking advantage of us and then laughing because we vote them into office. To me this is because we are forced to vote for either of the two evils that they select for the ballot. Homerr brought up about the McDonalds law suit. This is a prime example that the attorneys smells the cash.While they are at it they should go ahead and sue the video game manufacture for the children not going out to get their exercise to keep their weight down. I'm somewhat surprised that the law enforcement doesn't lock up the parents for neglect of their children getting overweight. When our boat is broke, we find the problem and fix it. If the part is made cheaply and always breaks, we find a differnt brand that will work and be more reliable. Then that is what we need to do with our government. Get rid of the attorneys that claim to be politicians. I probably wouldn't hate them so much if they didn't put them above everyone else.....

Scoop · Nov 24, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Mellow, I agree that there are different priorities in different age groups. Unfortunately, some of us did not do a good job of teaching some basic values that are needed to have a good society. Here is an example. Don't take this as an old geezer bashing all young people. As a Manager in a field filled with young people, there are definitely different ways to manage young people. Jee70611 I am not saying this is everyone, but it is a greater percentage than my generation. My wife works with a young women. The is women will ask to go out to lunch with the other people in the unit. After eating, she will say, "Oh, I don't have enough money could some one loan me $5." As most people would do, sure enough the $5 gets loaned to her. Now, she knew she didn't have any cash to go to lunch but she went anyway fighuring someone qwould pay for her. Does the money ever get paid back? No. She has done this to everyone in my wife's unit. This person also asked my wife to order some stuff out of this catalog my wife had. As a friend, my wife did and gave her the bill and the stuff. She got a notice in the mai that the bill is unpaid and mentioned that it needed to be paid. After two more, she told the person, "Pay now because it is going to collection and is going to go on my credit report. The person paid. Come to find out the person could not order from this company herself because she had ordered stuff and not paid. When my wife spoke to her about this, she said "What's wrong with ordering stuff and not paying, its not like the company is going out of business." She also said, "Everybody lies, it's no big deal." This person is a good worker and will work more hours than needed at the drop of a hat to get the job done, but has a skewed moral code. I run into this way more than I would than with older people. In addition, this person's loyalty to the job is unusual in that generation. I just seem to run into more of these type of values in the younger work force. They do appear in the older workforce, but not with the kind've frequency. I have had to read quite a few articles on this for work that my previous boss required. Man it does sound like I'm an old geezer saying young people are bad. It is not true. Personally, there are more yung people on this board than I know, and they are thoughtful and helpful.

mellowyellow · Nov 24, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

very well said Scoop... heck we could start a whole new thread on this topic. I count myself lucky that I was brought up with good morals, manners, & respect for others. I pray it rubs off on my 3 kids, but am afraid that they will learn differntly from their peers. please don't misunderstand my post. the point I was trying to make is that seniors probably represent the majority of voters and their unique issues then become the most important. the numbers of seniors grows each year and if the gov't doesn't focus some time/resources on the avg. joe, who's gonna pay for it? I'm 40 and doubt that I will be able to survive on a SS check in 30 yrs. it's not like the old days where you worked hard all your life, retired, and were able to survive on that SS check each month. think many senoirs live below the poverty level and it will only get worse. My granfather is 74 yrs. old, worked VERY hard all his life and paid SS out of every check. he even owned a contracting business for a while where he employed several people. he made good money in those days. the last 5 yrs. or so before he retired, he didn't make very much money. because of that, his SS checkis very small. they ONLY look at the last years you worked to determine how much you get. needless to say, he can barely survive. this will only get worse as time goes on IMHO. but if a politician even mentions SS, he'll be swarmed by the AARP and run out of town. so they don't do anything.... getting re-electd is the most important thing.

jee70611 · Nov 24, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

Everyone who responded to my post, I understand your points, good ones at that. I just think that it is a shame that those who need the help from the system can't get it and those who don't get it handed to them easily. BH, I know we don't have enough oil reserves to sustain our current lifestyle. We should save as much as we can though "just in case." We probrably have enough to survive and thats it. If that much. What I meant about the ban on fishing and hunting was all these PETA people running around. They even have a website dedicated to brainwashing our kids into thinking that fishing is bad

. They will sit and preach about not hunting, then go dig in to that hamburger or stake they just cooked. It amazes me

. I don't think there is anything wrong with hunting or fishing as long as it isn't wasted. I know I don't have all the answers. Heck, I don't think anyone does, really. Anyone else care to add anything? James

Scoop · Nov 24, 2002

Re: Why don't more people Vote?

One question. I remember a debate in government where they said that SS was going broke, then a year of so back, I thought I remembered hearing something about dipping into the SS surplus? How can this be? Also, who let anyone dip into the money we all paid for retirement. The last thing is, I am sure glad Bush did not get his plan for everyone beable ti invest their SS in the ways they saw fit. After the stock market went down, no one would have any left.

Why don't more people Vote?

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