If you are not voting...why?

true_norskie

I feel like this is a great privilege and right, myself, and can't imagine not voting.  Just wondering others' reasons...not flaming, just genuinely curious.

marchbaby

I am not voting because I don't know enough about the candidates.  I have been flamed about this in real life with the flamers saying "well vote for my candidate."  This does not work, I just don't follow politics, I don't want to follow them. I totally feel they all tell you what you want to hear then do something differently, therefore I avoid it all.  And by not following things I can't make an educated decision, therefore I don't vote

mags2041

What?!?  Who's not voting??

Seriously, though, I live in AZ and for awhile didn't want to vote because it didn't seem like it would "count".  I mean, we're a largely Republican state and McCain's home state so it wouldn't have really matter if I voted for Obama or not.  McCain was set to have our electoral votes. But now McCain's position is weakening here so I will be voting for sure!

august06mom

marchbaby:

I am not voting because I don't know enough about the candidates.  I have been flamed about this in real life with the flamers saying "well vote for my candidate."  This does not work, I just don't follow politics, I don't want to follow them. I totally feel they all tell you what you want to hear then do something differently, therefore I avoid it all.  And by not following things I can't make an educated decision, therefore I don't vote

 

Why do you refuse to educate yourself about the candidates? It's never been easier ...

BubblyToes

august06mom:

marchbaby:

I am not voting because I don't know enough about the candidates.  I have been flamed about this in real life with the flamers saying "well vote for my candidate."  This does not work, I just don't follow politics, I don't want to follow them. I totally feel they all tell you what you want to hear then do something differently, therefore I avoid it all.  And by not following things I can't make an educated decision, therefore I don't vote

 

Why do you refuse to educate yourself about the candidates? It's never been easier ...

You've got plenty of time to educate yourself.  People fought and died to give you this right.  And as a woman, I strongly feel it's a right to take seriously.  I cannot think of any valid excuse for not voting.

DevonPow

It is not difficult to look at the candidate's track records and make decisions based on that, if you truly believe all campaign promises are full of hot air. Also, I am sure there are some things you feel strongly on - abortion, gun control, taxes, etc. - there are very clear differences between candidate and party on that.

For those who think both presidential candidates are crap (or if you live a state where it is pretty much guaranteed to go to one candidate), I guarantee there are state ballot questions that matter to you. Please educate yourself and vote.

marchbaby

I should add I have voted and will vote again i'm sure.  I just feel I need to have a strong, educated opinion one way or another and this time around I have not done my "homework."

CleoKitty

My mom has never voted in her life. She doesn't care one single bit about politics and I'd be surprised if she could even name the current vice president of the US. She certainly couldn't name the speaker of the house, knows nothing about either domestic or international current events, etc. She is totally apathetic and has zero interest at all which I simply cannot understand.

august06mom

BubblyToes:

august06mom:

marchbaby:

I am not voting because I don't know enough about the candidates.  I have been flamed about this in real life with the flamers saying "well vote for my candidate."  This does not work, I just don't follow politics, I don't want to follow them. I totally feel they all tell you what you want to hear then do something differently, therefore I avoid it all.  And by not following things I can't make an educated decision, therefore I don't vote

 

Why do you refuse to educate yourself about the candidates? It's never been easier ...

You've got plenty of time to educate yourself.  People fought and died to give you this right.  And as a woman, I strongly feel it's a right to take seriously.  I cannot think of any valid excuse for not voting.

 

The only excuse I can think of is sheer laziness and a desire to be oblivious to your surroundings. I find it sickening, to be honest. I can somewhat understand when people choose not to vote because they refuse to commit their vote to any of the candidates. But to not want to follow politics at least in some form is just laziness.

marchbaby

Obviously I have heard snippets here and there, but honestly I don't believe any of it.  The whole mess over the market showed they don't have a clue.  They didn't appear to be thinking of a solution, they appeared to be trying to make themselves look better so as to get more votes. So in that way you could say yes, I'm not voting b/c I'd prefer candidate number three who does not exist.  However, I will admit I have not put a lot of time into researching the candidates or whatnot. I don't watch the news, its all depressing and scary.  I don't watch debates b/c I have two young kids who don't sleep, a job, a side job and a house, so i'm in bed.  If there was a candidate who I truly thought would do a great job I would vote, I wish there was.  Everyone I talk to has a different opinion and all try to sway me towards their opinion and truly I just don't like politics.  Guess i'm a horrible person but I do truly prefer to live in my own little bubble.

august06mom

marchbaby:

Obviously I have heard snippets here and there, but honestly I don't believe any of it.  The whole mess over the market showed they don't have a clue.  They didn't appear to be thinking of a solution, they appeared to be trying to make themselves look better so as to get more votes. So in that way you could say yes, I'm not voting b/c I'd prefer candidate number three who does not exist.  However, I will admit I have not put a lot of time into researching the candidates or whatnot. I don't watch the news, its all depressing and scary.  I don't watch debates b/c I have two young kids who don't sleep, a job, a side job and a house, so i'm in bed.  If there was a candidate who I truly thought would do a great job I would vote, I wish there was.  Everyone I talk to has a different opinion and all try to sway me towards their opinion and truly I just don't like politics.  Guess i'm a horrible person but I do truly prefer to live in my own little bubble.

And it never occurred to you that voting for someone might actually make your life a bit easier? Forget the presidential election -- local politics have more of an impact on your day-to-day life than you realize. Seriously, if you have time to nest, you have time to do some research!

BubblyToes

You do realize that there are more than two candidates in this race, right?  You may not hear much about them, but there are other candidates.

Ralph Nader, Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, and Cynthia McKinney are the most common ones.  They're not on the ballots in all states, but a little research could enlighten you.

DevonPow

There ARE other candidates running for President/VP - I believe there were 6 on the sample ballot I looked at the other day? Sure, maybe they don't stand a chance of winning, but it is still a civic duty and a responsibility for you and your children to vote. I know some people voting for Nader still - they do exist!

What about state ballots? This election isn't just about Obama and McCain, there are so many other things on the ballot. I feel as parents it is truly our responsibility to have a say in how this country our childen will grow up in is run.  I find it so sad that so many people here take the right to vote so casually. It is an amazing thing we are able to do - our founding fathers would be disappointed, as would all the people who have fought and died (including our current wars) to protect YOUR right to vote. It is a disservice to our military and fellow citizens to not be educated and vote.

buffalo_buckeye

This is the first election I will not have voted in.  I just moved two months ago and haven't registered here (still registered in my old state). 

I used to feel strongly about politics; even thought about becoming a polysci major...I have just lost that lovin feeling I guess.  I think I am inbetween parties and that is the problem.  I used to vote mostly republican and I have been more than disappointed in the party over the last few years. I think all the things the republican party used to stand for they are throwing in the crapper and the things they 'should' be changing (like certain social issues) they dig their feet in.  I just can't identify with either party at this point, and I am considering registering independent. 

 I know people will be outraged by this, but I honestly think that the President is more of a figurehead and I don't really think it will be 'that' different(meaning one vs the other) if either party gets into the white house.  As for voting on the local issues and candidates...I have been pretty busy with the move and haven't done any research. Call me lazy, fine.  I will be voting in the future, I just don't feel strongly about it this time around (again, I'm sure this is shocking considering how many people are talking about this being a monumental election).

 

marchbaby

I do vote for State ballots as long as I have a strong feeling one way or the other, which I usually do.  I will vote for those this election. I just don't love either candidate for president, and there may be more candidates but really it comes down to McCain and Obama.

pincushion

well I am voting. I am sorry that you are being flamed. I actually wish more people would stay the hell home if they are not educated on the candidates.

my just my opinion... and I am sure will piss people off.

EliseB0323

It is an amazing thing we are able to do - our founding fathers would be disappointed, as would all the people who have fought and died (including our current wars) to protect YOUR right to vote.

This cracks me up. The founding fathers actually didn't want most people to have the right to vote. The Constitution originally limited voting rights to educated men who owned property. And how are any of our current wars about protecting our voting rights? Americans are fighting and dying now to protect the voting rights of people in Iraq.

Honestly, I don't get the drama and outrage over people who choose not to vote. It just gives the smarter people who do vote more say in how the country runs, which is fine by me.

Temp108743750006959

In this country, we also have the right NOT to vote. I am voting but I could care less if someone does not. Or maybe we should PUNISH people who don't vote? hmmm.

LittleMamaB

I'm probably not voting...I would love to, but don't see it happening. I have no one to watch the boys and I can't see myself taking both of them to stand outside for hours by myself to cast my vote. Probably not going to happen.

laurenpetro

marchbaby:

Obviously I have heard snippets here and there, but honestly I don't believe any of it.  The whole mess over the market showed they don't have a clue.  They didn't appear to be thinking of a solution, they appeared to be trying to make themselves look better so as to get more votes. So in that way you could say yes, I'm not voting b/c I'd prefer candidate number three who does not exist.  However, I will admit I have not put a lot of time into researching the candidates or whatnot. I don't watch the news, its all depressing and scary.  I don't watch debates b/c I have two young kids who don't sleep, a job, a side job and a house, so i'm in bed.  If there was a candidate who I truly thought would do a great job I would vote, I wish there was.  Everyone I talk to has a different opinion and all try to sway me towards their opinion and truly I just don't like politics.  Guess i'm a horrible person but I do truly prefer to live in my own little bubble.

wow.  that's embarassing.  alice paul is rolling in her grave right now.

it would seem to me if you have enough time to write that, you have more than enough time to research the candidates. 

people have died for the right to vote.  you do realize that, right?

 

goodhartedmommy

BubblyToes:

august06mom:

marchbaby:

I am not voting because I don't know enough about the candidates.  I have been flamed about this in real life with the flamers saying "well vote for my candidate."  This does not work, I just don't follow politics, I don't want to follow them. I totally feel they all tell you what you want to hear then do something differently, therefore I avoid it all.  And by not following things I can't make an educated decision, therefore I don't vote

 

Why do you refuse to educate yourself about the candidates? It's never been easier ...

You've got plenty of time to educate yourself.  People fought and died to give you this right.  And as a woman, I strongly feel it's a right to take seriously.  I cannot think of any valid excuse for not voting.

 

I wish we had an applause icon. 

Temp159135562506975

I'm with Pincushion - I think if people don't know what they are voting for- then they should stay home.

I don't think you are bad or lazy for not knowing all the issues - it can be exhausting to learn about it all, and very frustrating as well.... I used to hate politics and rarely knew much about the candidates - but now I'm a bit of a political junkie. 

I respect the right of someone who doesn't want to deal with it- that is their choice... and if they don't know what the issues are - then they shouldn't vote.

I suspect there are a LOT of women on this board who will vote- and have not a clue in the world what either of the main candidates truly believes in... they will just vote one way or another b/c of their DH, their family/friends, etc.... but I doubt they'd post here and admit it.  I think voting blindly is worse than not voting at all if you don't know what's going on.

 

Bellisimo

pincushion:

well I am voting. I am sorry that you are being flamed. I actually wish more people would stay the hell home if they are not educated on the candidates.

my just my opinion... and I am sure will piss people off.

Right on!  And I'm sorry you've been flamed as well.  Not very nice!!!  And I hate it when people aren't nice!