[Rap]

Gentleman, I propose an informal poll for those who wish to participate and live in the US. It's purpose is to merly take a decidingly unscientific fact gathering. It is NOT meant to reflec on anyone's beliefs or conduct of life! If this runs afoul of the Forums sensibilities then they will take it off.

Who votes in every election? Who votes in just local, state or national elections? Who votes on someone or something specific instead of a regular basis. No need for political affiliation designations.

I vote in all three all the time. Mind you this is just what I do, doesn't make me better or worse!

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[biotechee]

Alright... I do not vote currently. However, I have been thinking of voting in the local elections due to an unsavory (IMHO) individual running for school board.

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[rhudeboye]

i don't vote and never will.

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[cosimo]

I vote in all elections (except primaries). I figure I can't complain about the state of affairs of the state or country if I don't vote. I also support some candidates with a donation. Living in the Wash DC area I see and read first hand the workings and non-workings of the federal government. I know it seems as if one vote doesn't count but I feel I have contributed to my civic duty.

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[ds968]

I used to vote in all elections until about a decade ago.. Since then, I have and will continue to vote on local and state initiatives, as well as occasionally for individual candidates , because I know that voting on initiatives DOES make a difference , and to some extent local level candidates have more influence on change than those at a national level. I have however given up voting for national candidates whether house, senate or presidential because I have become completely cynical as to anyone of them being able to change anything.. I think there are two types of candidates : self-serving, power hungry bold face liars whose reason for running has absolutely nothing to do with representing the interests of their public, and those well-intended , clearly naive politicians who actually think they can make a difference. The latter are quickly swallowed by the greatness of the game played in DC and eventually they give up and join in the same charade alongside all the rest. Yeah, call me skeptical and cynical but that's how I see it.

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='ds968' timestamp='1320156028' post='117347']

there are two types of candidates : self-serving, power hungry bold face liars whose reason for running has absolutely nothing to do with representing the interests of their public, and those well-intended , clearly naive politicians who actually think they can make a difference. The latter are quickly swallowed by the greatness of the game played in DC and eventually they give up and join in the same charade alongside all the rest. Yeah, call me skeptical and cynical but that's how I see it.

[/quote]

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[Scott Collins]

I vote. All elections.



One of the many ways I express my political view.

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[BeBe]

I vote local, state, and national. Anyone that doesn't vote has no right to complain.

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[94SilverCab]

I always vote, unless I am unexpectedly take away by business travel.



Jay

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[flash]

while i am very politically active, having worked on a number of campaigns, i will not actually vote until they start including "none of the above" as a choice. i don't like having to choose between the lesser of two evils, and i want a vote that counts against all candidates.

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='BeBe' timestamp='1320165752' post='117352']

Anyone that doesn't vote has no right to complain.

[/quote]



I've never agreed with that statement. If a person goes out to vote then becomes disappointed in the candidate that got elected, they can complain. If a person goes out to vote, then complains about the guy they voted into office for not following through on his promises. That's OK. But if a guy, who after looking into all the candidates put before him, decides none of them were worthy to lead and doesn't vote. He has now lost his freedom of speech <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/huh.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> . I say let him complain. After all, the person that doesn't vote is effected just like the others.

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[rxter]

I vote early and often - ba dum dum.



I'm a permanent absentee ballot - makes the pain of the poling place a thing of the past.



Voting is a privilege, not a right - look at what people in Libya, Egypt, Syria, etc are willing to go through to at least have a crack at some form of self determination.



Living by the ocean is a privilege, not a right. Every day when I drive home I look at the ocean and think about how fortunate I am - I never take things for granted, and I don't take voting for granted. Yes the candidates usually mostly suck, and yes I usually live in a state where my presidential vote is a waste of time due to the electoral college set up.



But but but, its a whole lot better than having a dictator at the helm - so I vote.



Not sure who said it - "that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time"

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[Rap]

And of all don't vote or better yet say only 25 percent of registered voters vote once again a small number of voters start deciding on the direction and quality of our lives, our children and our country. If one goes back to the start of our country, those that vote have always complained about those elected. Everything in life is ranked and is relative. Not making a decision because one doesn't like what's offered is merely opting out. It is a passive response that on an individual basis goes unnoticed. So the choice is really no choice. It's not a statement, not a position and doesn't get the credit that those who say they don't vote want by not partipaing. A la tree falls in the woods. I say this with respect to others, merely an observation.

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[flash]

rxter - i got the chicago joke



the quote was winston churchill



rap - that's why i want a "none of the above". failing that, we should have a minimum number of votes required to elect somebody (like at least 50%). at least then we could opt out, and by default not elect those on the ballot. i am making a decision by not voting. i am making a decision not to facilitate the empowerment of somebody i don't want elected.



if we had a democracy, instead of a republic, we would probably be in a lot better shape.



we should at least abolish the electoral college. there is no longer a need for it, as it no longer takes so long to get the voter responses to the capitol (except in florida - lol).

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[Cloud9...68]

I vote in the national elections, but seldom in the local ones. I find it next to impossible to judge the quality of the individuals on the local ballots, who we only see through those supremely idiotic political ads. At least the national candidates get fairly wide exposure.

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[Chris Vais]

I have voted in every election held since I came of voting age. I came of age during the Viet Nam War and I decided that if the government had the power to send me off to war I had better damn well vote on who the Commander in Chief is. I believe that things can be changed by the power of the vote. Use the current Tea Party as an example. Here you have a tiny segment of the Republican Party that got organized, ran and supported candidates and for better or worse is currently being heard in Congress. If a small vocal group can make themselves heard and have an impact on the political scene in this country, just think what impact all of the indifferent non voters could accomplish as a voting block. I believe that if you don't vote and you don't like the way things are run, you have no one to blame but yourself. This country is in trouble and we need leadership in the White House, the Senate and the House and we aren't getting it.



One last thing, as we approach Veteran's Day, I would remind you all that I and every other veteran of military service put our lives on the line in defense of the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. Not voting because you are too lazy, too disinterested, or you believe that it doesn't matter, dishonors us all and the sacrifices that we have been asked to make.



Sorry, rant over. I hope to be in Washington DC, this Veteran's Day to meet up with some of my band of brothers to pay our respects at the Viet Nam Memorial. After that we will be having dinner with some of our wounded warriors.

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[Darth Vadar]

I vote Local, State and National...

Why? I think it's better than the alternative... and sometimes one vote does make the difference...

Besides, it is where all of us old farts get together to complain about the fact we haven't had a raise in Social Security in three years!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/glare.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

I vote Local, State and National...

Why? I think it's better than the alternative... and sometimes one vote does make the difference...

Besides, it is where all of us old farts get together to complain about the fact we haven't had a raise in Social Security in three years!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/glare.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

I vote Local, State and National...

Why? I think it's better than the alternative... and sometimes one vote does make the difference...

Besides, it is where all of us old farts get together to complain about the fact we haven't had a raise in Social Security in three years!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/glare.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Rap]

Chris this is my point exactly. It is simple and it works.

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[Langley968]

Not in the US, but I vote every opportunity I have. There is no such thing as a "wasted vote", since the numbers always have a "story to tell"...

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[Rap]

Gentleman, although I suggested a poll of who votes within the US perhaps that was shortsighted on my part. I am not sure where all members of our Forum are from but lets open it up to all Forum members. If your a member you are welcome to participate.

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