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comment by mk
mk  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: George Packer: American Politics: Why The Thrill Is Gone

IMO the only good excuse for not voting is that you are overthrowing your government. You needn't just vote for the Democrats or Republicans. There are other candidates.

A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

Our politicians cater to those that vote. The baby boomers vote.





ButterflyEffect  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

I agree with you on on a state and national level, but I've always had an issue figuring out what to do at a local level. Note: always is a very limited term, as I've only been of voting age for a short period of time. I've noticed though, that coming from a small place means that many positions are unopposed and in that case what else can you but not vote if you dislike the candidate?

user-inactivated  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Write something silly in. Not voting can mean either you didn't like the (only) candidate, or you just don't care. Explicitly voting saying you would prefer Mickey Mouse to the only candidate running is unambiguous.

OftenBen  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    There are other candidates.

I would be overjoyed to see a third party make it onto the presidential ballot.

    A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

Isn't there a tacit agreement with governments actions by agreeing to use their system to choose leadership? By voting in a system that buys elections with money, aren't you endorsing the whole charade of it?

mk  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

There are always other presidential candidates on the ballot.

    Isn't there a tacit agreement with governments actions by agreeing to use their system to choose leadership? By voting in a system that buys elections with money, aren't you endorsing the whole charade of it?

No. We have the ability to change this government with the vote, including how elections are run. All those elected were voted in. To not vote is an endorsement of a system without suffrage, unless you are revolting.

thenewgreen  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Huh. Today I learned that Ayn Rand has her own party and they're represented on the ballot... and I'm not talking about Paul Ryan.

OftenBen  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    We have the ability to change this government with the vote

I wish I shared that belief. It seems to be the core of our disagreement, at least as far as I can see.

mk  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It baffles me that so many have been convinced otherwise. It is as simple as enough people voting. Tumult happens. Things might seem static for quite some time, until they are not.

thenewgreen  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I would be overjoyed to see a third party make it onto the presidential ballot.
-Serious question, upon seeing mk's proof that other parties do make it on to the presidential ballot, were you overjoyed?

It's a matter of marketing, which is a matter of money. But in todays day and age, an internet savvy third party candidate could make it. I would vote for mk. I think he should run.

OftenBen  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I guess I should have been more cynically specific. I would be overjoyed to see politically viable candidates on the ballot. Those candidates in the pic are not allowed to participate in debates with the candidates from the red and blue team. Having them on the paper pays lip service to the ideals that founded the country.

I'd vote for mk too.

mk  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

But I couldn't debate Jeb or Hillary. :/

thenewgreen  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Of course you could! We would just mobilize social media to boycott the networks that wouldn't allow you to participate. Get reddit, twitter, fb all involved and they'd cave.

mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

a thoughtful vote: mk 2016