I can understand not voting in some instances. If you are a socialist feeling the love for the Bern or Fauxcahontas, and you live in my home state of KY, there is absolutely a zero chance either would win the state in the general.

Likewise, if you are a conservative living in a socialist paradise state (CA, etc.), and there is a zero chance Trumpie will carry it, why vote?

^^^ Because by not voting you are legitimatizing the other side. For example those in CA (and other places) who are R's that didn't vote because their vote doesn't matter are giving Trump haters the popular vote ammunition to attack the president with.

I have no recollection of who instilled the importance of voting in me, maybe my seventh grade civics teacher? Either way, I've never missed an election and can't see any circumstances that will stop me, even if I live in a purple/blue state.

My family always votes. Those who don't are lazy and stupid IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
^^^ Because by not voting you are legitimatizing the other side. For example those in CA (and other places) who are R's that didn't vote because their vote doesn't matter are giving Trump haters the popular vote ammunition to attack the president with.

I have no recollection of who instilled the importance of voting in me, maybe my seventh grade civics teacher? Either way, I've never missed an election and can't see any circumstances that will stop me, even if I live in a purple/blue state.

^^^^ This

This is the first place I've lived in that is arguably in-play. That said, I have never missed and never will miss a vote. Given my first Presidential vote was for Gerald Ford, while living in Massachusetts, it's a reasonably long string.

If taxation without representation is tyranny, not giving your input on who gets to tax you is lunacy.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I have no recollection of who instilled the importance of voting in me, maybe my seventh grade civics teacher?

I skipped the first two pages but key point right here. You had someone teach you civics and the duties of a citizen. By careful design civics, as known to older generations, is no longer taught in school.

As the voting assistance officer at one of my OUTCONUS commands, I quickly realized we have several generations of younger voters who just don’t care despite witnessing and experiencing the consequences of the decisions made by those elected to office.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PD, January 31, 2020 10:07 AM

I've developed a theory over the years. The first premise is that in a group of homo-sapiens, someone will always be in charge. Always. In spite of the fond hope of all Libertarians, Anarchists, Communists and any other -arians and -ists that exist, someone will always be in charge. It's genetic.

The second premise is, that in the absence of any mitigating effect, the someone in charge will be the worst possible outcome, because they want most to be in charge. They will be brutal, ruthless, self-centered, inflexible monsters. To preserve their own in-chargeness. It's what they do. It's called "barbarism."

The only governor to this effect is the collective hive-mind preserving it's own self-interest. We do that in this land, in this time, by voting. In other lands and other times, the correction occurred over time by slaughter and war - also genetic. Voting is a proxy for that. And probably, with historical precedence, a transient one. Because eventually, the hive-mind over time with the success of the proxy option, loses the perceived threat to life and comfort, and exercises the mitigating effect less and less. Resulting in the genetic option, option number two. Apparently, always.

Originally posted by r0gue

quote:

I do vote, but I can understand someone deciding they're all liars and thieves. Because well... Still, I vote for my favorite flavor of liar and thief and hope he does some of the things that protect us from the socialists.

Oh, my brother, this is so true, and so accurate, and so much of what I have done for years on years.

I can't remember the last time I voted in a national election for someone I was wholly on board with. I always end up voting against someone, rather than for someone.

^^^

First time around, I held my nose and voted against Hilary. This time I'm voting for Trump.

The gameshow host Pat Sajak once said ""Every election cycle I get asked to participate in “get out the vote” public service announcements. But I figure if a TV game show host has to convince people to vote, they probably shouldn’t." I agree with Pat's central thesis - which is I am fine with people too lazy to vote staying home. They shouldn't vote.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:

...1 - the worst Republican has to be better than the opposition. No vote on your part is in essence allowing one more democrat to get a left leaning vote...

Amen! I voted for McCain and then Romney for that reason. And long before that Congressman Jim Leach here in Iowa.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:

...1 - the worst Republican has to be better than the opposition. No vote on your part is in essence allowing one more democrat to get a left leaning vote...

Amen! I voted for McCain and then Romney for that reason. And long before that Congressman Jim Leach here in Iowa.

Totally agree!!