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Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:59 am
by rkwittem
Basically I am old enough to have never voted, I think 3 times. Who knows? I hardly know when voting happens. Could care less, really. I don't even remember when I could have started voting. I have pretty much hated politics from the time I could remember hearing my relatives talk about it and my parents never tried to impress their own political views on me. I'm as close to a blank state as you'll get on this side of the legal voting age.
Anyway, this thread is your chance to inspire/convince me to hop on the political bandwagon.
And leave the personal attacks out, please. I don't care if you think I'm a bad American. I don't care if my dad thinks I'm a bad American. I don't care if Uncle Sam thinks I'm a bad American. I
really don't care if some scumbag politician thinks I am a bad American.
Other than that, use whatever tactics you like. I will accept any bribes you may offer.

Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:01 am
by AZGrizFan
Move to North Korea. They LOVE people with your mindset.

Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:02 am
by 89Hen
rkwittem wrote:I don't even remember when I could have started voting.
18

Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:11 am
by Grizalltheway
Voting is an integral part of that BCS system you so dearly love.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:14 am
by rkwittem
Grizalltheway wrote:Voting is an integral part of that BCS system you so dearly love.
Yes, but is actually based on proven track records, more or less.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:14 am
by blueballs
You have the right to not vote and it is okay if you choose not to.
I choose to engage myself in politics because the government has the ability- and it exercises it every other Friday- to take my property from me at the point of a gun. I choose to have whatever say so in that process I can, even if it is only one vote.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:04 pm
by travelinman67
blueballs wrote:You have the right to not vote and it is okay if you choose not to.
I choose to engage myself in politics because the government has the ability- and it exercises it every other Friday- to take my property from me at the point of a gun. I choose to have whatever say so in that process I can, even if it is only one vote.
Agreed.
I have no problem with people who choose not to vote.
My only caveat is: Those who choose not to vote also should exercise the choice to keep their political opinions to themselves.
Next
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:25 pm
by CID1990
Voting was always treated as a civic duty in my family. Nevertheless, it is a right and you can choose not to exercise it.
However, as my father used to say, if you don't vote then you lose the right to b1tch credibly.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:31 pm
by Wedgebuster
Primaries going on here today, stopping to vote on the way home.
Spend most of my time voting against, rather than voting for..

Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:46 pm
by AZGrizFan
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:16 pm
by houndawg
Just because your vote means nothing doesn't mean you shouldn't care.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:43 pm
by Tod
houndawg wrote:Just because your vote means nothing doesn't mean you shouldn't care.
The problem is when millions think their vote doesn't matter (or thousands or hundreds in local elections). They certainly do matter when added up.
When every third potential voter feels this way, it hurts the democratic process.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:49 pm
by SDHornet
Tod wrote:houndawg wrote:Just because your vote means nothing doesn't mean you shouldn't care.
The problem is when millions think their vote doesn't matter (or thousands or hundreds in local elections). They certainly do matter when added up.
When every third potential voter feels this way, it hurts the democratic process.
Meh...I vote, but I agree with houndawg. Unless you can bankroll change, it simply won't happen by casting votes.

Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:26 am
by Tod
SDHornet wrote:Tod wrote:
The problem is when millions think their vote doesn't matter (or thousands or hundreds in local elections). They certainly do matter when added up.
When every third potential voter feels this way, it hurts the democratic process.
Meh...I vote, but I agree with houndawg. Unless you can bankroll change, it simply won't happen by casting votes.

The bankrollers thank you for your (lack of) service. Well, not you, but those that simply don't vote.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:28 am
by JohnStOnge
If you don't care on your own it's better that you don't care and don't vote. And that is not meant as a put down. I just think it's true.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:35 am
by 93henfan
I've voted in every presidential election I was old enough for. I am sitting out 2012. I intend to vote again later if there's a candidate I like.
This is America. Vote if you want or don't.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:28 am
by CAA Flagship
93henfan wrote: I intend to vote again later if there's a candidate I like.
I would think that you would vote again if there's a candidate that you really
don't like as well. And since you are not voting this year, I assume you are pleased with Obama.

Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:40 am
by UNI88
Tod wrote:houndawg wrote:Just because your vote means nothing doesn't mean you shouldn't care.
The problem is when millions think their vote doesn't matter (or thousands or hundreds in local elections). They certainly do matter when added up.
When every third potential voter feels this way, it hurts the democratic process.
I live in Illinois and Illinois' electoral votes will go to Obama so my vote doesn't matter in the POTUS race. It can matter on a local level so I will vote this November and will cast my POTUS vote for Gary Johnson.
Dawg is right, you should care. This is our country and voting is how we have a say in how it's run. If you don't vote, you forfeit your right to complain.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:41 am
by kalm
It's not so much that I really care about politics or voting it's just very entertaining sport.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:01 am
by bluehenbillk
travelinman67 wrote:
I have no problem with people who choose not to vote.
My only caveat is: Those who choose not to vote also should exercise the choice to keep their political opinions to themselves.
Next
I agree with this.
However, there are way too many people out there with similar feelings. I blame the 2-party system that has failed America through at minimum the past decade. Never have the 2 parties been so polarized & paralyzed over partisanship. Then, they offer up garbage for the Presidential election. As a true independent I can't help but want to throw up in my own mouth when having to choose between two losers like Obama & Romney.
Is this really the best our country has to offer? For those of you that think America is still the greatest country in the world, have you seen Molly?
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:33 am
by Ibanez
rkwittem wrote:Basically I am old enough to have never voted, I think 3 times. Who knows? I hardly know when voting happens. Could care less, really. I don't even remember when I could have started voting. I have pretty much hated politics from the time I could remember hearing my relatives talk about it and my parents never tried to impress their own political views on me. I'm as close to a blank state as you'll get on this side of the legal voting age.
Anyway, this thread is your chance to inspire/convince me to hop on the political bandwagon.
And leave the personal attacks out, please. I don't care if you think I'm a bad American. I don't care if my dad thinks I'm a bad American. I don't care if Uncle Sam thinks I'm a bad American. I
really don't care if some scumbag politician thinks I am a bad American.
Other than that, use whatever tactics you like. I will accept any bribes you may offer.

How old are you?
My opinion is this. If you choose to not participate, then you have no right to complain. Also, people around the world kill for the chance to vote and yet Americans don't care when it's so safe and easy.
It sounds like your mind is made up. You don't care, so why should we help you care?
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:41 am
by Grizalltheway
I plan on writing in Palin/Bachmann. Thoughts?
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:46 am
by blueballs
SDHornet wrote:Tod wrote:
The problem is when millions think their vote doesn't matter (or thousands or hundreds in local elections). They certainly do matter when added up.
When every third potential voter feels this way, it hurts the democratic process.
Meh...I vote, but I agree with houndawg. Unless you can bankroll change, it simply won't happen by casting votes.

I wonder if Al Gore shares that opinion...
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:47 am
by LeadBolt
Voting is your right to use or lose. Millions of Americans have fought and died for those in other countries to have this right.
As for an argument as to why you should vote: 2016:Obama's America, just sayin'...
If you see the movie keep in mind it is not the product of a white person, nor a native of the USA, but from someone who was raised in a different culture. I was particularly struck by the interview with one of Barrack's Kenyan half-brother's George and how differently he sees the world.
Re: Convince me that I should care about politics
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:14 am
by ASUG8
Grizalltheway wrote:I plan on writing in Palin/Bachmann. Thoughts?
Get back on your meds.....horrible idea.
