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| Voter Despair | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 23 2004, 04:54 PM (233 Views) | |
| 24thcenstfan | Aug 23 2004, 04:54 PM Post #1 |
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Something Wicked This Fae Comes
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How do you inspire someone to vote? How do look someone in the eye with an earnest straight face and say to them that their vote matters (convince them of this)? Especially if that someone has become disgusted with politics in general (the choices we are presented with on both sides of the aisle). Edit: Actually, I changed the thread heading to "Voter Despair." Because apathy is not the angle I am asking this from. I am not necessarily talking about people who don't care. I am talking about people who care about politics and what is going on (and do vote), but are losing hope because of who is running for President (Bush and Kerry). This is a predicament that some people are finding themselves in (having to vote for the lesser of two evils or contemplating not voting at all). Interesting voting stats on the last election: 2000 Presidential Popular Vote Summary for all Candidates Listed on at least one State Ballot Voting Age Population (Census Bureau Population Survey for November 2000): 205,815,000 Percentage of Voting Age Population casting a vote for President: 51.21% |
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| Hoss | Aug 23 2004, 05:05 PM Post #2 |
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
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If someone doesn't care and they don't care enough to figure out what is going on, I hope that they do not vote. |
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| ds9074 | Aug 23 2004, 05:21 PM Post #3 |
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Admiral
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I would say something like this. The generations before us fought and died to secure the vote for us, people went to war so that our democracy might remain. In England a woman threw herself under the Kings horse so that women and all men might not be disenfrancised any longer. In South Africa when they got the vote they qued for hours to use their right. The least we can do is stand with those people by exercising our democratic rights, by carrying out our democratic duty. If we dont we place in danger all that those people worked so hard and gave so much to achieve and maintain. |
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| 24thcenstfan | Aug 23 2004, 05:22 PM Post #4 |
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Something Wicked This Fae Comes
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I just wanted to note that I changed the heading of the thread to more accurately depict the issue. I also included a few clarification comments. |
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| Hoss | Aug 23 2004, 05:25 PM Post #5 |
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
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People shouldn't fall victim to disspair. Change the world, if you think it needs doing. It has been done before. Nobody is going to do it for you. I stand by my "I'm glad they don't vote" comment for those who fall into disspair. |
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| ds9074 | Aug 23 2004, 05:29 PM Post #6 |
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Admiral
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People do fall into despair with politicians and politics. I dont agree we should turn our backs and say its their fault, they shouldnt be feeling like that. If they are they are. The question is how do we get those people interested again. |
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| Hoss | Aug 23 2004, 05:34 PM Post #7 |
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
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Is the government's job to go around and shore up the spirits of all the weak-minded bummers in the world? There are ways to change things, it just isn't always as easy as voting. Besides, it is easier for these people to go watch the latest reality garbage on TV instead of thinking. |
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| ds9074 | Aug 23 2004, 05:39 PM Post #8 |
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Admiral
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I dont think we should give up on anyone. That includes prisonners, lazy people and "weak-minded bummers". Sometimes the best way forward is local action, sometimes that needs Government help. Certainly to re-engage voters the politicians themselves might have to make some changes to the way they operate. Its partly political belief but it is also religious belief. We are tasked with living our lives in the example of Jesus. The Lord never gives up on anyone, no matter how far they stray, he still wishes to bring them back in the fold. |
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| benetil | Aug 23 2004, 06:52 PM Post #9 |
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Unregistered
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I used to be a person who thought elections (in the United States) were very precise - that the 'results' were accurate and basically infallible - and that every vote did matter. After the "most interesting presidential election I'll ever witness", I guess a lot of my confidence (in the voting process) was replaced with uncertainty and skepticism. I've done quite a bit of reading since and I've learned that the election of 2000 was not (by a far stretch) the only controversial election in US history. I support the concept of the electoral college process, but Florida 2000 gave me a vivid example of the lengths to which both political parties are willing to go in order to secure power - and the "risks" in a close election. I'm suspicious that people who are willing to do what I witnessed in 2000 are probably willing to do even more in order to maintain power. to the point of this thread: I am interested in voting (especially in local politics) because I saw my parents participate - my belief is that I would not be as interested in taking the time to vote were it not for the example set by my parents. I'm so glad that I do vote - there's so much to care about and there are differences (not so much between Republicans and Democrats) between candidates. my moto: vote, by all means - but never vote for a &*#$%^ Republican or a @#*$% Democrat |
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| somerled | Aug 24 2004, 03:36 AM Post #10 |
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Admiral MacDonald RN
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Could it be that many people in USA believe that their vote is worthless ? Hence why bother ? |
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| Admiralbill_gomec | Aug 24 2004, 07:21 AM Post #11 |
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UberAdmiral
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Some do. I don't. I haven't missed an election since I registered to vote. I've had to vote absentee a few times, but I always vote. Everyone's vote does count. |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 24 2004, 10:46 AM Post #12 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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I too vote in every election I have been able to. But I do understand how people must feel after so many votes went uncounted last election. How do you try to convince someone that thier vote matters after the government (Supreme Court) decided that everyone's vote doesn't count? |
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| Admiralbill_gomec | Aug 24 2004, 10:54 AM Post #13 |
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UberAdmiral
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Yeah, like all those military members whose vote was systematically denied by lawyers for Al Gore... |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 24 2004, 11:16 AM Post #14 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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Precisely. I am talking about all the thousands of votes that went uncounted last election. Every vote must count in a democracy. Otherwise what is the point of electing a leader if only some are able to make that decision? |
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| Admiralbill_gomec | Aug 24 2004, 11:23 AM Post #15 |
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UberAdmiral
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We've had this discussion: Every VALID vote must count. Big difference from "Every vote must count". |
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3:23 AM Jul 11