Does Voting Matter

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:48 pm

I just read pretty much this whole thread through again, and after formulating what was a small book of a response I decided to give you all the shortest summary of that grim tome possible.

Democracy has been compromised.
That is why I don't vote, and why I don't play into this illusion of choice.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:57 am

Democracy has been compromised.
That is why I don't vote, and why I don't play into this illusion of choice.

A quote:
"Hitler believed that Germany's parliamentary government system (of 1918-1933) did not consist of a well-informed, intelligent group of people, nor did it attempt to make itself such. "The aim [of the modern democratic parliamentary system] rather is to bring together a group of nonentities who are dependent on others for their views and who can be all the more easily led..."

My viewpoint is if you are informed and someone supports those principles that you stand on you should vote. If someone is fighting for you he needs to know his views are being supported. Not voting is also a vote because you are saying you are willing to leave it to others to decide your fate.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:10 am

The problem is in the modern world you have no idea what these people actually think or how they feel deep down. They operate from polls and social psychiatrists that tell them what to say to get those votes.

Maybe on the small local level you can still trust, at least to an extent what these people believe.

I know I'm being told what they think I want to hear though, it's all part of the big show.

This and a million other things have to be waded through and considered now, and the honest truth is in the world as it is people spend a lot more time considering how to put food on the table, doing their jobs, and supporting their families. They don't have the time to spare to honestly ponder all this at length.

I can not blame people for this, but I can quickly blame those who take advantage of it.

The man with the most money backing him wins, and they keep coming up with new and creative ways of hiding where that money really comes from. Like locally, there is a proposition to remove those red light cameras. Well the side to keep them is winning, why? because the people that make the cameras dumped 2 million dollars into public announcements and tv time.

Fortunately it's been one of the rare occasions where they didn't cover their tracks and people found out about it, but this is the way of politics today.

If you think you can operate from within this system more power to you.

Don't expect me to play along anymore though, I've had enough.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:25 am

"The problem is in the modern world you have no idea what these people actually think or how they feel deep down."

You know people by their actions and deeds, not by their words. Politicians get elected by the people no matter what the money says. If you are uninformed perhaps you should not vote.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:45 am

politicians are like spammers...
the game is simple.
they offer hope, a chance of better things, they canvas and preach promises of help to those that need it but seldom ever get it.
The price is your vote, your voice to support a hope and a dream and this is a sad reality in most electoral campaigns.
I cannot remember the number of times "we will lower taxes for the poor" it seldom happens and when it does the shortfall on governmental income is compensated by a reduction in public services or a rising costs in those services we need to survive.
There is no true passion for a party to make things better. If there were then the people would unite behind hardships today and ensure a better tomorrow.
It is so often promised but no one believes it any more....Hitler was mentioned and I cannot help but reply that he spoke with passion and motivated millions. The outcome and the rights and wrongs I do not discuss here but it is obvious proof of the power of conviction and the ability to see how emotion can motivate.
Its used all the time at a moment of sadness that effects a country.
Falklands, 9-11, Iraq, Iran and even the Taliban use the same principle as whilst we under the banner of helping in foreign lands are often the victims of media manipulation that others use to motivate their own followers.....
So politics and voting.....theory? good. reality? a lot to live up to.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:00 am

I understand what you are saying. Perhaps everything is hopeless as you claim.
I think people need to develop their power of discernment. All people are not the same. All politicians are not the same. All corporations are not the same. People always leave trails of their past. If a person leaves a good trail I will support him.

I am sure you have heard the saying, "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing".

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:11 am

pomchop wrote:

I understand what you are saying. Perhaps everything is hopeless as you claim.
I think people need to develop their power of discernment. All people are not the same. All politicians are not the same. All corporations are not the same. People always leave trails of their past. If a person leaves a good trail I will support him.

I am sure you have heard the saying, "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing".

I believe you misconceive what is being said by myself.
Voting is relevant and important. It is my duty but only if I believe that by my choices I can make a difference. My principle of not voting is that it be seen and accepted as a voice of discontent with what is being offered and no confidence in those being put forward by the party for election.
Why should I vote for an individual when his motivation is of little consequence to the ideas and principles that matter.
When all say the same about addressing important issues and the differences in political parties and manifestos are debated upon how many trees will be planted or wether or not separate rubbish bins be used to segregate waste when these are not imo governmental issues but local ones.
How can I vote for green when my choices are two shades of green??
How can I believe a candidate who mouths the words but without any conviction or passion.
How can I choose between a new school but payment is closure of a hospital? need I go on?
my last post was I stated that politics have a lot to live up to.
If a candidate does not convince me of his passion and ability to do something that I see as a benefit to society but I do perceive a struggle for power rather than service then I have no TRUST. My voice, my payment and my permission to act on my behalf is withdrawn and I wish that to be recognized as a valid vote. How else can I say I have no confidence in any of those on offer. Where else but by denial of my VOTE can I show non compliance with a system that refuses to offer an alternative or rethink its values. Values of service or desire for power?
I often have more confidence in a dog to protect me from harm than a slick politician promising to protect my job. Its set of values are open and free not constrained by the opportunity to obtain more on its own behalf at the expense of those that offer their trust and allegiance.
A man who stands before me for election, if he can convince me that he will do his best for my country and its society as a whole then he has my vote, my support and my trust.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:07 am

Does Voting Matter

Total Votes : 14

849 views on the thread, so I guess not Laughing

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:18 am

trollster wrote:

Does Voting Matter

Total Votes : 14

849 views on the thread, so I guess not Laughing

Ya know I didn't even realize this was a poll.

You're right.

What's even funnier is that 4 people voted "no i don't think my vote matters". Shocked

A very good topic so far, even if most of the issues raised here have already been discussed elsewhere (is it just me or is every argument these days a dead horse before it even gets started?)

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:16 am

Pacino23 wrote:
you can call anyone who posts a strong opinion a name caller and read into things that arent there. Look for a user by the name of thetimesurfer and see how it ended for him.

I am not sure how to look up thetimeserfer. I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not threatening me.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:22 am

pomchop wrote:

"The problem is in the modern world you have no idea what these people actually think or how they feel deep down."

You know people by their actions and deeds, not by their words. Politicians get elected by the people no matter what the money says. If you are uninformed perhaps you should not vote.

It must be lovely walking through life with the absolute certainty that you are right.

...me I question everything, and I'm the wiser for it.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:30 am

Crooked_Ferret wrote:

..me I question everything, and I'm the wiser for it.

wise words indeed and trollster I can only say one word WICKED Wink

as for timesurfers no comment and for Cyndical you may be right but about the horse beoing flogged to death. (orwellian thoughts creep to mind) thinking of how things could be and discusion might just avert the pigs selling the horse flesh to the dogs. Wink

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:27 pm

Crooked_Ferret wrote:

I don't know I wish there was something to believe in, b

Yes there is something to believe in. Look around, search the web and you will find voices out there who have something to believe in. And if nothing else believe in yourself. Not voting is just a way of bending over and taking it up the ass.

I can appreciate that it might seem hopeless, but it isn't. They just want you to feel that way. The U.S. is one of the worst democracies around. How can you call it a democracy when there are only two people to vote for? Find an independent candidate to vote for and help. Get yourself informed. And if there is no independent candidate then become one yourself, or find a few like minded individuals and start your own party.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:53 pm

pomchop wrote:

Pacino23 wrote:
you can call anyone who posts a strong opinion a name caller and read into things that arent there. Look for a user by the name of thetimesurfer and see how it ended for him.

I am not sure how to look up thetimeserfer. I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not threatening me.

He is someone who spent most of his time accusing everybody of personally attacking him and it got to the stage where he was booted because of it.
No I am not threatening you. If I choose to do something I will. However your attitude is starting to annoy me as even when I tell you not to take a debate personally you still come out with bullshit that I might be threatening you. Do not bother talking to me if you are going to behave in this way as my patience with you has almost evaporated.

If you have a problem with me take it up with already_dead, he is the admin around here and will decide if I have "threatened" you.

already_dead Profile Page

Either report me or STFU with the victim card.

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:21 pm

pomchop wrote:

Pacino23 wrote:
you can call anyone who posts a strong opinion a name caller and read into things that arent there. Look for a user by the name of thetimesurfer and see how it ended for him.

I am not sure how to look up thetimeserfer. I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not threatening me.

first learn to quote people correctly or do not quote them.following your posts is annoying.so use the reply with quote or use the code

Code:

[quote="persons name"]the comment[/quote]

second he didn't threaten you but if you are feeling attacked remember this is the debate section.you make a post and others are free to pick it apart.it's the post that is debated it's not an attack on you.if you don't like that please don't enter into the debate section.