Is it unamerican...

[keithy_19]

to not vote because you don't like the candidates? Every vote counts, but does not voting also count by showing your disdain for the American political system?

[Sue_Bender]

A sense of guilt will keep me from voting this time around. I don't want to contribute to the sorry state of union when I can't fool myself into believing in either candidate.

Perhaps it's "unamerican" to look the other way.

Although, somehow I doubt it.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

nah

but its not mature


vote for the issues, not the person


Who likes any of the last 5 or 6 Presidents, you vote for what kind of policies you want instituted


stop treating it like its a class presidency, because I heard John McCain is gonna get you Soda Machines and 1 hour less of school on Fridays

[led37zep]

Plenty of Third Party Candidates out there you can vote for

[keithy_19]

I guess it's largely due to the fact that each of the candidates are completely fake, IMO. I know that's what happens in politics, but I don't want to contribute to it. Not that me sitting out an election will change anything.

[bobrobot]

I guess it's largely due to the fact that each of the candidates are completely fake, IMO. I know that's what happens in politics, but I don't want to contribute to it. Not that me sitting out an election will change anything.

Imagine if everyone did what you plan to do? People died for your right to vote, this is what we usta call, "copping out! "

Of course it is a free country... at least until EVERYONE gives away their rights...


http://60sfurther.com/Music7Photo/zappaHat-th.jpg

[jauble]

Vote local...thats what counts your personal vote for president wont do much but if you want to effect a little change still go to the polls. I've never voted for the president but I've always voted.

[LaBoob]

A sense of guilt will keep me from voting this time around. I don't want to contribute to the sorry state of union when I can't fool myself into believing in either candidate.

Agreed.

Sue_Bender for president!

[keithy_19]

[B][COLOR="Navy"]Imagine if everyone did what you plan to do? People died for your right to vote, this is what we usta call, "copping out! "



This is true. But didn't people also die for my right not to vote if the people running for the highest position in America don't represent what I believe in?

[Melissa the Accountant]

to not vote because you don't like the candidates? Every vote counts, but does not voting also count by showing your disdain for the American political system?

I have thought about that too, because I have pretty much never had a candidate I felt I could support very enthusiastically. But I don't think not voting really does much other than make USA Today put out pie charts about how voter turnout is getting worse every election. I pretty much just try to decide who I hate least and then I make a decision at the last minute and vote for that person. In local elections for things that don't really affect me or that I don't consider all that crucial, like schoolboard or parks and wildlife, I vote based on arbitrary things like I pick the person who I find ugliest and vote for them with the assumption that being unattractive makes for an underdog candidate, or I google for them and see who has the most interesting results. I'm not saying it's responsible or anything, but I guess it's no worse than voting for people you have never heard of just based on their names or the order they are in on the ballot. And I think a lot of people do that even if they don't admit it.

I had an idea earlier this year that I think would encourage voter turnout and be basically awesome and make voting way more interesting even though it is also completely unrealistic. It will never happen, though, because things just don't work that way. And because my idea is semi-retarded even though it would probably be fun. My idea was the anti-vote.

I thought of it because by the time the Kansas primaries rolled around, I had no desire left to vote in them since my zombie leprechaun candidate Giuliani had dropped out mere days before. I was going to vote for him because I felt that he was at least up front about how sleazy he is, even though I knew that the powerful Kansas right wing would stomp him into the ground because he didn't give a shit about all their causes like don't kill babies and please do kill more Arabs. And if I went to either party's function I realized the only point would be to vote for someone simply because it would mean not voting for someone I despised, like Mike Huckabee. And since I didn't really care enough to go and support someone just because they are not this other person that I don't like, I wound up sitting out the primaries.

And I was like, what would have made me really want to vote that week, assuming there were no candidates I felt good about? And I decided that it would be pretty great to get to vote against candidates if you don't want to vote for any of them. You wouldn't get to double dip and do both. I think it would be an interesting statistical exercise. Each candidate's votes would be broken out in terms of how many they received for and against. I guess you'd want to net their votes in order to determine actual election results. And there would still be rules about majority, winning margin, etc. etc. But it would be interesting to see how elections would be affected if people were allowed to forfeit choosing who they wanted in order to choose specifically who they did not want. How many people are voting for someone they feel lukewarm about, who would prefer to vote against somebody they really dislike? How many people aren't voting at all for lack of any candidates they like, but would turn out to the polls if they knew they could vote against their least favorite candidate? Would any candidates net a negative for total votes?

Anyway, I haven't really developed this idea in my head at all, not like it matters. But I think it would be extremely interesting. I would have taken great pleasure in voting against Mike Huckabee.

[ChrisTheCop]

Agreed.

Sue_Bender for president!

America is not ready.

[bobrobot]

This is true. But didn't people also die for my right not to vote if the people running for the highest position in America don't represent what I believe in?

That's why I added the part about it being a free country until EVERYONE gives up their rights.

I understand your point, it's just that I really believe that there is always something positive to focus on that makes some choice worthwhile. I dislike politicians & politics but there are things that I believe in that I want protected & there are things that I don't believe in that I want stopped. EG, I will vote for Obama cuz I want the war over, McCain WILL NOT do that, he is PART of the Military Industrial Complex & I don't trust any of them, they are a government sponsored crime syndicate as far as I'm concerned!!!

I feel so strongly about this cuz I grew up at a time when the government WENT TO WAR w/ youth culture in this country. The nation's future was under attack. I won't ever forget that time...

You can do whatever you want, like I said before, you're free, for now...



http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/03/17/PH2007031701303.jpg

[keithy_19]

I took a quiz to help me decide which candidate out of the two main I agreed with more. A slight edge for McCain. But it is so slight it doesn't count for anything.

I just have a feeling that regardless of who gets elected, nothing will really change.

[midwestjeff]

I took a quiz to help me decide which candidate out of the two main I agreed with more. A slight edge for McCain. But it is so slight it doesn't count for anything.

I just have a feeling that regardless of who gets elected, nothing will really change.

If you want change, vote Obama.

I read that on a bumper sticker.

[bobrobot]

I took a quiz to help me decide which candidate out of the two main I agreed with more. A slight edge for McCain. But it is so slight it doesn't count for anything.

I just have a feeling that regardless of who gets elected, nothing will really change.


Research is an excellent tool for helping to form your opinion!!!

[ChrisTheCop]

If you want change, vote Obama.

I read that on a bumper sticker.

Or Ron Paul.

But addressing the question, It's not unAmerican to have a choice whether to do or not do something. There are places where "democracy" consists of being forced out of bed at gunpoint to vote for the person youre supposed to vote for, then walk around all day holding up your purple finger to show how free you are.

In America, you have a choice. Vote or dont vote.

That said, I would find it sad that someone, although not in total agreement with someone's exact policy plans, couldnt find some common ground to go ahead and pull that lever in their support, even if only so the other guy, whose beliefs you have less in common with, doesnt win.

I'll admit that this time around, for all the spin otherwise, these two main candidates are quite similar in their stances, and get even closer as time goes on. So yes, it's a hard choice to make...and although I'm leaning one way right now, I havent made up my mind. Each day one of them says something that makes me stop and rethink my position on them.

Another answer to your question: I am a Ron Paul supporter. My vote, given the chance, may eventually go to him. Is it unAmerican to vote for someone you know wont win?

I agree that it's a right that people have died for, but they also died for your right not to care. I vote in most elections, but not in all. I feel I owe it to my country to participate in her future, and I do feel badly when I dont.

[ozzie]

Abstaining from voting shows apathy, not your disappointment in your choice of candidates.

Like Melissa said, it's just going to add to the "pie chart", and give the rest of the world something to point and laugh about our real belief in a "Democracy".

(The Communist leaders of the old Soviet Union used our voter turnout as propoganda as to why "Democracy" would not work. The would boast like a 99% turnout, although theirs was mandatory, and usually only had ONE candidate on the ballot)

I agree with others. Explore the other "Non-Major Party Candidates", and vote for the best option. (Not a joke "write in" vote for Ron Bennington, although he should seek office)

I too am fed up with the "two party system", and haven't felt strongly about a presidential candidate in years in the final election, after none of my choices seem to get the nomination. I would love to see a third or fourth party develop.

Oh, and Melissa... your idea sounds somewhat familiar...

http://dubyad40.com/images/blogimages/brewster.jpg

[keithy_19]

Another answer to your question: I am a Ron Paul supporter. My vote, given the chance, may eventually go to him. Is it unAmerican to vote for someone you know wont win?



He was my guy as well.

[DarkHippie]

He was my guy as well.

In 2000 I voted for Nader, thinking that it was a legitmate protest, and it didnt matter who won. If I could go back in time I would kick the shit out of myself.

Not voting isnt a protest. Its saying "choose for me"

[Death Metal Moe]

I still vote every election, even the small county and town ones when I find out about them.

It's all I have to at least try to control my government, I'm going to use it.

[Friday]

this issue bothers me a lot.
i have to admit.

because unlike most of you, i was not born as a United States citizen.
and I had to stand up at the age of 8 and take an oath in order to gain the rights many of you were simply born into.

while that may seem simple and minor to some... i don't see it that way.
voting is a privilege. and to waste it because you don't 'like someone' is a damn shame.

Keithy, have you put the time in to read more than just the headline news stories on each candidate? There are pages and pages filled with information on all who are in the running.

One of the major problems with elections in this country is the lazy factor.
Most Americans are more than happy to take whatever the nightly news dishes out to them. No questions asked.

Take the time to READ about the candidates. Make your own judgment based on what these people represent, not just what the headlines want you to see.

Your vote may seem trivial and unimportant... but think of those in other countries who don't have the luxury of voting. And those waiting for citizenship here. I am sure they would trade places with you in a heartbeat to be able to exercise their right to vote.

[Death Metal Moe]

this issue bothers me a lot.
i have to admit.

because unlike most of you, i was not born as a United States citizen.
and I had to stand up at the age of 8 and take an oath in order to gain the rights many of you were simply born into.

while that may seem simple and minor to some... i don't see it that way.
voting is a privilege. and to waste it because you don't 'like someone' is a damn shame.

Keithy, have you put the time in to read more than just the headline news stories on each candidate? There are pages and pages filled with information on all who are in the running.

One of the major problems with elections in this country is the lazy factor.
Most Americans are more than happy to take whatever the nightly news dishes out to them. No questions asked.

Take the time to READ about the candidates. Make your own judgment based on what these people represent, not just what the headlines want you to see.

Your vote may seem trivial and unimportant... but think of those in other countries who don't have the luxury of voting. And those waiting for citizenship here. I am sure they would trade places with you in a heartbeat to be able to exercise their right to vote.

Very well put. It's the same all over the world, whatever age people are.

You just appreciate something you earn more than when something is handed to you. Also, you don't know what you got until it's gone. I knew a few carpenters who were convicted of "things" and lost their right to vote. You can lose it, and it was at that time for the 1st time in their lives they really wished they could do that thing they had ignored for so long.

[Devo37]

http://dubyad40.com/images/blogimages/brewster.jpg

this has been the basis of every presidential vote i've ever cast. never voted for a major candidate, or even for popular '3rd party' candidate (Ralph Nader, and the like).

There are plenty of candidates (http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/pres08.htm) to choose from, even if they have no chance in hell of winning. while i don't think it's 'unpatriotic' not to vote, it is apathetic.

plus, as others have mentioned, there are lots of local races to vote for. in smaller towns/cities, one single vote can really affect the outcome.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/Devo37/usaCa.gif

p.s. okay, i voted for Ross Perot once, but he had cool pie-charts!!!

[Reynolds]

I took a quiz to help me decide which candidate out of the two main I agreed with more. A slight edge for McCain. But it is so slight it doesn't count for anything.

I just have a feeling that regardless of who gets elected, nothing will really change.

I googled this quiz, and found one here:

http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/

Took me about 10 minutes to finish, and when I clicked see results, it replied with this:


Not Found

The requested URL /independentresults.php was not found on this server.

:wallbash:

So now I'm not voting

[earthbrown]

too many, myself included, vote 4 lesser of 2 evils. Maybe if we all refused to vote for these two guys something would really change.


K

[sailor]

Plenty of Third Party Candidates out there you can vote for

wouldn't there be only one?

[jauble]

wouldn't there be only one?

what?

[sailor]

what?

third party. after that they'd be 4th, 5th, etc.

[jauble]

third party. after that they'd be 4th, 5th, etc.

but they are all third party...

...

...


fuck it lets all just write in your favorite poster.

[Melissa the Accountant]

vote 4 lesser of 2 evils

That could be a Prince song.

[ahhdurr]

It's unamerican to be disconnected from the political process. Check your municipality's website and attend a town meeting. You'll start getting a feel for how things get done. The way America was set up was for us to be informed and participating based on that info.

I've stopped listening to complainers about America (not that I'm saying you're complaining but many complainers "don't vote b/c ... blah blah blah) and you find that the extent of their knowledge of the American political structure is zero, current events zero. They wouldn't be able to contribute to a cogent response or alternative for laws that they disagree with ... etc.

It's going to be the informed, capable and privliged elite in the future that runs things and everyone else is going to eat shit. Participatory democracy will have been an interesting time in history.

[ChrisTheCop]

Very well put.

She's very articulate... for a foreigner.

[jauble]

It's unamerican to be disconnected from the political process. Check your municipality's website and attend a town meeting. You'll start getting a feel for how things get done. The way America was set up was for us to be informed and participating based on that info.

I've stopped listening to complainers about America (not that I'm saying you're complaining but many complainers "don't vote b/c ... blah blah blah) and you find that the extent of their knowledge of the American political structure is zero, current events zero. They wouldn't be able to contribute to a cogent response or alternative for laws that they disagree with ... etc.

It's going to be the informed, capable and privliged elite in the future that runs things and everyone else is going to eat shit. Participatory democracy will have been an interesting time in history.

Hopefully for you, you are white.

[ahhdurr]

Hopefully for you, you are white.

Irish. :down:

[jauble]

Irish. :down:

There is nothing wrong with that...you could have said double hatian with a touch of communist.

[Chigworthy]

That could be a Prince song.

2 evils united 4 lesser of?

[oldladyfacepuncher]

I'm not sure what I'll do as far as the president is concerned. I usually vote Libertarian, but Bob Barr is a douche and I'm pissed that he got the nomination. I can't go Paul, or McKinney, and the Constitution party blows too.

Voting for the lesser of 2 evils is a cop out. We're supposed to be voting in the best person for the job.

Check these write-ins from devo's post:

http://www.myspace.com/jonathon_the_impaler
http://www.myspace.com/clairecruise
http://zapatopi.net/tlp/

A Note From TLP US Presidential Candidate Doug MacDuff, Ph.D.

Doug MacDuff, Ph.D. As President of the United States, I would work to make our nation better through applying the Laws of Thermodynamics to its problems. Thermodynamics orientated government offers our nation proven solutions for the difficulties that lie ahead of us in the 21st century. These solutions are both cost-effective and potent. By using Thermodynamic principles and techniques, such as scientifically validated Kelvinian Meditation, my government will preside over decreases in Entropy -- in areas as diverse as the economy, crime, and education -- as have never been seen before in the history of our nation or any other.

For too long we have relied on the fiction of radioactivity for our nation's defense. One of my first acts in office will be to call for hearings on the reality of our "nuclear defense" and the money that has been spent on it. I will also enact a special Kelvinian Meditation branch of our armed services that will bring Thermodynamic understanding to our defensive policies. This branch will also include a Kelvinic Levitation wing that will create a shield of negative Entropy around our nation making it impervious to hostile forces.

If elected, I will work with the Canadians to end the subjugation of the Republic of Cascadia and liberate her peoples and hominoids from unjust Federal rule. I will also support the return of the Kingdom of Hawa'ii and the seceding of Alaska to the harbor seals. Expansion is known to cause Heat Death, and by pulling back the US borders to Idaho, I will be helping to ensure the prolonging of our national energies.

I trust that you will help me help our nation. Together we can end the onslaught of Entropy and build a future for us and our children that is Thermodynamically secure.

I could quote this site all day long.

US Campaign 2000
We lost.

US Campaign 2004
We lost.

US Campaign 2008
Goals and Strategy

Our goal is to elect a Thermodynamic Law Party ticket to the office of the President of the United States of America in the year 2004. We also hope to get as many candidates elected to House and Senate positions as possible in order to help bring about the problem-free, "Make Sense" government that the Thermodynamics-orientated approach promises. To those goals, our candidates are running in local elections all across our nation, to help spread awareness of what a government based on the Laws of Thermodynamics can do for the people. After our assured win in 2004, our party will branch out to all the Democracies of the World, and work to forge new Democracies where once there was only oppression. The new Millennium will see a flourishing of freedom and self-realization amongst the peoples of the World. And it will be brought forth by governments by the people, for the people, and based on sound Thermodynamic principles.

[ravn816]

I am so torn this election. I have to vote though, that's just me. Problem is there isn't a single candidate I like.

-I refuse to vote for the Republican party on a National level. I will consider voting for them on a State or Local level, but just can't do it for President, House of Reps or Senate.

-The three major 3rd party candidates I've looked up, Nader (looks like he's back in), the Libertarian's candidate Bob Burr, and the Green Party's candidate Cynthia McKinnion (I think that's her last name or something close to it) are un-fucking-votable. And sorry, I'm certainly not a socialist or communist, so I won't be voting for their 3rd party candidates either.

-Obama, need to do serious research, very uninspired by him unlike the rest of his supporters. However, he'll probably be my fallback guy to vote for as the Democrats tend to fall a little more in line with my values in general than the Republicans.

Too bad there isn't a place to vote as No Confidence. That would be my vote this year if I had the option.
:wallbash::wallbash::wallbash:

[Dougie Brootal]

im convinced that votes dont count. they already have the next guy lined up, and the guy after that. do they even count the votes anymore? did they ever? its all an illusion, maaaaann...

[sailor]

if you don't want to vote, don't. you're free here, so if you don't like any candidates, express that freedom by not voting.

[ahhdurr]

im convinced that votes dont count. they already have the next guy lined up, and the guy after that. do they even count the votes anymore? did they ever? its all an illusion, maaaaann...

This seems the most likely case.

[Thebazile78]

I am so torn this election. I have to vote though, that's just me. Problem is there isn't a single candidate I like.

-I refuse to vote for the Republican party on a National level. I will consider voting for them on a State or Local level, but just can't do it for President, House of Reps or Senate.

-The three major 3rd party candidates I've looked up, Nader (looks like he's back in), the Libertarian's candidate Bob Burr, and the Green Party's candidate Cynthia McKinnion (I think that's her last name or something close to it) are un-fucking-votable. And sorry, I'm certainly not a socialist or communist, so I won't be voting for their 3rd party candidates either.

-Obama, need to do serious research, very uninspired by him unlike the rest of his supporters. However, he'll probably be my fallback guy to vote for as the Democrats tend to fall a little more in line with my values in general than the Republicans.

Too bad there isn't a place to vote as No Confidence. That would be my vote this year if I had the option.
:wallbash::wallbash::wallbash:

There is too!

You just have to write it in using the keypad.

[keithy_19]

I decided that it's best to vote. I was incredibly disheartened by this election and still sort of am. But I figure I need to go out there and try to "make a difference".

Got registration in on the last day. Guess jury duty is in my future too.

[IamFogHat]

It's your 'right' to vote, not your duty. If you don't like the candidates offered there's no reason to vote for one of them, and I would go as far as to say ethically it would be wrong to do so.
Also I really hate that fucking term 'unamerican', makes me fucking batty. It's a republican buzz word designed to wind people up. It's worse than 'family values.'