Vote!
That’s why I cannot understand those people on the left who don’t want to vote for the Democrats because Obama (and before him Kerry, and before him Gore, etc) isn’t a perfect candidate. I don’t like his peddling to the religious wrong either, for starters. There are some policies that make me cringe. But he is a whole heck of a lot better than McCain/Palin. Do you seriously think that you’re sending any kind of message to Obama/Biden if you’re not voting? No. McCain/Palin will secretly thank you for your moral high ground and then go right on destroying the world without a second thought to you. No, I am not trying to scare people into voting. I am trying to point out that deciding not to vote to make a point is self-defeating because it will end up not making any point since the votes simply get lost.
There are also historical reasons, why voting makes a lot of sense to me, especially as a woman. Though it would be a logical fallacy to ask women to vote simply because our sisters have suffered so much to fight for our right to vote, I think that they would be saddened that we see this right so lightly that we feel we can choose not to vote simply because we want to make a point. Again, that point will get lost!
We also need to reform the political system so that smaller parties have a chance. Ultimately, I think, that would help us make a difference. After all, in Germany, the Greens did end up in the federal government.
If you want to make your dissent heard, write a letter to the editor, demonstrate, sign a petition, but for crying out loud please vote!
Pingback:Rachel’s Musings » Another reason to Vote!
Thanks for pointing out the apathy in European countries! Sad that this seems to be an almost international phenomenon…
In England when its general elections, its sort of similar accept people votes are spread over more parties. Its always one or the other that actually wins… There is a lot of Apathy though with the following chart showing a steep decline.
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/turnout.htm
Denmark on the other hand have had hight turnouts with 86.6 % turnout on last years elections … this likely comes down to the type of parliament that exists…
I have some German friends who tell me its similar to England , that the left is very fragmented putting people of voting… Die Linke or the left seem to be a new party worth watching …http://www.die-linke.de/
Very good post, Rachel. Thanks.