Voting question/debate?

Question

Folks,

I don't vote in elections. Can you convince me to do so?

First off, the following statements will have the following arguments from me (preemptive strike)

1. It's your civic duty. NO! Reporting for jury duty and paying taxes are my civic duty. Voting is not a duty or requirement.

2. What if everyone thought that way? Unlike many Americans I don't think others should share my way of doing things. If you want to vote, then vote and you have my blessing.

3. Why don't you vote? Because of mathematics. The odds of one vote altering an election is remote at best. Also, as 2000 proved we live in a Republic not a Democracy. Al Gore got the majority of popular vote but George Bush won the electoral college. If I'm on a jury, I'll vote, if I'm on a committee, I'll vote, If I'm one of 200 people with a vote, then I'll vote.

So not using the above arguments can you convince me to vote in the upcoming election? Ten points for the best answer.

Answer 1

Its up to you.  However, if you DONT vote, what right have you got to complain when things are not as you think they are.   When you dont vote, you are letting other people making decisions for you.  Do you want me to decide where you will work, or who you sleep with?  Has it occured to you that by not voting, you are defaulting to just "follow the crowd"   If you like just doing what every one else tells you to do, then you dont need to vote.

Answer 2

Why take the time with a person like you that obviously has all the reasons for not voting? Sounds like you want an argument just for arguments sake. Pretty lame.

Answer 3

Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people died in wars so you could vote.

Be grateful for them, respect them and vote.

Answer 4

Well...It could be your civic duty if you wanted it to be, but then you would actually have to believe in something tangible, and of course there is a warm-fuzzy feeling that goes along with believing something is right and acting on that...I bet there are others that do share your way of doing them and if you live in California there is most certainly a party for every occasion...votes count in a lot of elections, it's just that some elections our founding fathers felt the general public shouldn't decide (that's a whole nother discussion)...and finally...most importantly...because you get a STICKER and you can be late for class or work with a good excuse.

Answer 5

Because it is the only voice, no matter how small, that you have against power. Just think of the Dr.Seuss book, Horton Hears a Who. I think it was Theodore Geisel's way of saying that even though we may only have one small voice, there will be someone with the power to hear it listening to you and willing to pay attention.

Answer 6

“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?”

“A Republic, if you can keep it.” -- Benjamin Franklin.

Answer 7

#3...Hey doofus......I pledge allegience to the "Republic" of the United States of America. We ...being Americans Have lived in a Republic since......oh 1776 not 2000..... If you want a democracy....then move to China or North Korea.....yeah the Democracy thing is really working well for them..... I say to you....please don't vote....keep doing what your doing ...tell all YOUR friends NOT to vote PLEASE... America does not need any more young, ignorant, socialist being bought up by the Communis......er Democratic Party!!!

Answer 8

The problem with the political system is that most people share the shame beliefs as you, and also, people aren't informed about the issues. I'm Canadian, so obviously my sense of "civic duty" is much different from your own, not to mention female, under 25, a student, a socialist, childless and single. These are all factors that shape my beliefs, and that includes how I vote.

I personally vote because 80 years ago women had to fight for a right most people don't appreciate. I vote because I took time to discover that the Conservatives (basically Canada's Republican counterpart) have policies that I don't want forced on my friends and family, which include abolishing legislation meant to protect their civil liberties. I also vote because as much as I am an educated skeptic, I know that the thinking "my vote won't make a difference" is bullshit - if all of those who actually thought that actually pretending to give a rat's *** and voted our system would be completely turned around. I believe there lies the problem with voting, arrogance and ignorance, because as human beings we have great power - we just choose not to exercise it.