Why vote?

[leftofthedial]

Can anyone provide a compelling reason for people to express their will at the polls?

repukes corrupt and distort the vote and steal elections. The Democrats still have done nothing to stop it.

"Democrats" renege on campaign promises and don't do what they were sent to DC to do. They just become part of an ever-growing problem.

no third party could win a presidential "election," so why vote?

I'm not looking for flames. I'm looking for a real discussion of our dysfunctional non-democracy.

[Captain Angry]

1. How can they steal your vote, or not count it, if you don't vote.

At least make them go to the effort.

[leftofthedial]

5. good reason

but who to vote for? the criminal repuke or the accomplice "democrat"?

[Captain Angry]

14. If you can't be happy with the presented choices

Vote on the issue that a 3rd party candidate offers.

Support the process of democracy. Make them change the rules again.

If a 3rd party candidate receives enough votes, under current rules, they would be allowed to debate the Dem and Rep candidates in the Presidential Debates.

Support local candidates that are worthy, and support national candidates who run on the right issues. If they have a funny letter after their name, i.e. not D or R, then so be it.

I have no problem voting for a Democratic candidate that will stand up for their issues, and vote consistently. However, my Democratic Senator votes with the big money. So, he doesn't get my vote.

Many will say that I am throwing my vote away. I say that I am voting for the country I want. I can't help it if other people are too ideologically set to "choose" between the same corporate candidates.

[Wwagsthedog]

19. Amen Cap'n

Well said. I sure wish someone besides an R had a chance around where I live.

[skipos]

2. Because Karl Rove, Bush Inc, and all Republicans would prefer I don't vote.

I don't want to make them happy.

[leftofthedial]

6. excellent reason

[Richard Steele]

13. Really? After today, why should we imagine they care?

It's not as if their sweeping national-landslide LOSS
last November has actually AFFECTED them in any serious
way, now is it?

[skipos]

17. If they don't care they I guess they won't be running Republicans in any elections

from now on. Cool.

[Richard Steele]

22. Clever. Snarky. A response I'd enjoy typing myself, most days, many situations.

And so, I have no grounds to complain.

I also have no heart to argue, no strength
to convince you that I was truly looking
for an answer, and not enough hope to even
bother grasping at whatever straw you might
be able to offer.

I sincerely apologize for this unproductive
use of your time.

Richard

[skipos]

24. Huh?

It's quite simple. Republicans will ALWAYS prefer I don't vote. There will ALWAYS be SOME difference between the (D) and the (R) that he is running against. I will always vote for the better candidate who actually has a chance of being elected.

I recognize that every time Dems don't do what we want, which is often, there are a bunch of DUers talking about how there is "no difference" between Repubs and Dems, even though there have been many things going on these last few months that NEVER would have gone on if Repubs still had their majorities. Though it's isn't enough to satisfy some here, it is hardly "no difference."

Arguing with DUers about this is about as useless as arguing with the Nader voters who believed the Gore=Bush lie back in 2000 (though ery few of them still believe it now), and I have said all that I can say.

[Richard Steele]

29. Sorry, I realize I'm just not making much sense right now.

I'm getting a bit DEPRESSED these last few days.
I don't express myself terribly well on my BEST day;
and right now is not my best day by a long shot.

It's not you, it's me. Sorry about that.

But, thanks for what you said. I'll try to keep it
in mind, because it's true, and easy to remember:
"Republicans will ALWAYS prefer I don't vote."

They really will. And as Sun Tzu said, "It isn't necessary
to know WHY an enemy desires something, to make denying it
to them a worthy endeavor."

Just knowing they'd like me to not vote is reason enough to do it.

[magellan]

3. I wish I could persuade you otherwise

But I can't even persuade myself anymore.

Kucinich will get my vote in the primaries. After that I won't be voting for anyone for president in '08, because as things stand no one who'll get through will be worthy of my vote.

[leftofthedial]

7. I'm in the same boat

Kucinich is the only actual Democrat running

and damn near the only one breathing

[Skink]

4. Monica Goodling.

[leftofthedial]

8. ?

:shrug:

[Skink]

10. This is what can happen.

[leftofthedial]

11. but will a competent DLCer possibly do more harm

than an incompetent unqualified repuke jeebiz-bimbo?

[Richard Steele]

15. What is? What, exactly, are you referring to?

That JOKE of an immunity-granted hearing Ms. Goodling
lied her way through this week?

What's the most that will come of that? Seriously,
do you think that anything actually HAPPENED there?

Even if it did, Congress would have to VOTE on whether
or not to actually -DO- anything about it. How do you
imagine that's gonna go?

I'd like to know.

[stillcool]

9. In my head I know...

that the jig has been up for a long time..that money took hold of this government and will not let go..in my heart..hope springs eternal....kind of like the lottery. You got to be in it to win it?

[leftofthedial]

12. I think we the people can still change things

but not at the ballot box

[stillcool]

18. The way the cards have been played...

over the last few years...all the surveillance, detention centers, legal definitions of unpatriotic people, mind-boggling election laws, the massive re-distribution of wealth...sure makes you wonder how it's all going to shake out.

[porphyrian]

16. What else do we do?

If voting, marching, mailing, calling, protesting, complaining and sending clever widgets to Congress doesn't work, what do we do? I don't want to get shot. If I did, I'd join the service and vote republican (they seem to wind despite who I vote for, but just to make sure).

[genie_weenie]

20. Because if you don't the Terrorists (in DC) win?

Of course, my view on voting is the Plutocratic Ruling Class with much Fanfare and Hoopla every few years allow the people to fantasize they are the government.

Do you require anymore bread or circuses?

[onenote]

21. what promise did Democrats renege on?

In most of the races I followed last fall, the Democratic candidates expressed their opposition to the war, called it a mistake, and called for a change in course. But when asked, most also said that they did not support immediate withdrawal (Jim Webb is just one of many examples).

Folks have short or distorted memories when they claim that most Democrats promised to end the war immediately.

[leftofthedial]

23. escalation is not a "change in course"

what has changed in Iraq?

We have more troops doing the same thing as before--illegally occupying, dying, getting maimed, killing Iraqis and inflaming an already volatile situation.

[LWolf]

25. Because I can't protest

that my voice/vote goes unheeded if I silence it.

I will express that voice in my Democratic Primary when I vote for Dennis Kucinich.

I will express it again when I vote in the general election. If I don't vote for the Democratic nominee, will my voice be considered "traitor," or will the party be accountable for losing that vote? It's not like I haven't clearly voiced how to earn my vote in November '08.

The party doesn't get to silence my vote/voice.

[leftofthedial]

28. vote and protest, protest and vote

but at what point do we recognize that it changes nothing?

[LWolf]

30. When enough people

recognize that the moment they have waited for, when somehow representatives who have worked to maintain the status quo are not going to achieve the desired change, change can finally happen.

If enough Democrats refused to vote for "top tier" status quo candidates, and did their donating, campaigning, and voting, for candidates who actually WANT to change something, who are willing to walk their talk,

then change will happen. Change is up to the voters. If the voters don't have the courage to support change, then the decline of the ideals our constitution was founded on, and thus the nation itself, will continue.

[n2doc]

26. Because the alternatives are silent acquiescence or revolution

It is going to take a long, long time to change things. Clearly the Liberal wing of the party needs to be active at all levels. We need to put candidates in at all levels who will gain experience, and most importantly prove their support for our ideals. Those who don't should be tossed and replaced at the Primary level. This is going to take a lot of $$, time and effort, because we will be opposed at all turns by the MSM, our own Party, "Independents", and infighting among ourselves.

[leftofthedial]

27. it seems to me that participating in our current system

is a political masturbatory fantasy--some people apparently still get off on it. Increasingly, with the DLC-republican wing of the Democratic party transcendent and the repukes veered entirely over the cliff of fascism, it seems to me a waste of time, not to mention a tawdry, delusional and insulting exercise. Maybe the repukes have won. If so, it was with the full help and endorsement of the "democrats." Voting used to make me proud. Now it makes me feel dirty.