February 18, 2008
Why I AM Voting
Some of the authors whose work is shared at Uncommon Thought argue their reasons why they are NOT voting. However, this does not mean that I agree with them. I will be voting, and I will continue to vote. I will steal a few lines to explain why that is my choice.
The first reason that I will continue to vote is because too many people struggled and die to ensure that I had that right. Those before us have faced denial, batons, lynchings and starvation to get the right to vote, and to ensure that I have that right. I cannot spit in the face of their decades of struggle by not voting.
Second, it is one right that millions of people around the world still do not have, and that I feel too many in the United States take for granted. In my opinion, voting is the least we can do to continue to have a voice in our democracy (what remains of it).
Third, it has been a long term strategy to decrease voter participation. The fewer people who vote, the fewer people you need to convince to vote your way, and the more powerful special interests become. Regardless, of why people might choose not to vote, the result is the same - reduction in voter turnout. I refuse to play into that strategy and passively turn my country over to a bunch of corporatists and zealots.
Last, we have to change course. We may not be happy with our choices. We may feel like we are voting for the lesser of villains on a game already rigged. However, the more people who are participating, the more those in power know that they are being watched. The only way to regain any control of the government is to let them know that we ARE watching.
I believe that the way that not voting is interpreted is (at best) lack of interest. It is like folks who decide to boycott a store or product. If you don't actively communicate to "the management" why you are not buying something, or patronizing their establishment, then all that may be noticed is that fewer folks are there. The same goes for voting. IF you choose not to vote, then indicate on your ballot that is the case by voting "Other" or "Write In" candidate, as "abstain," or "none of the above." At least that way a message might be sent.
I will be voting and I hope that all of you and everyone you can encourage do so as well. Don't the the ancestors who fought and often died for our right to vote to have fought in vain.
Posted by rowan at February 18, 2008 6:47 AM | [eMail this article!] |As I stated in another post, I understand why many do not vote. "It only encourages the bastards" etc. etc.
I thought your analogy of boycotting stores or products and not informing management is on point. I must admit I have a large list of stores and for that whole countries that I will not buy their products/services. However, I am very guilty of not informing management how I feel and what I think of their practices, policies or procedures.
It's much the same for "Green Investing" unless you are voting as a stockholder you really don't have much to do with chaning the direction of a corporation.
I clearly remember the police dogs, Gov. Wallace and Faubaus trying to stop integration and I remember college students that came up missing when trying to register black citizens so they might vote and, I agree they should not die in vain.
Finally, one of the many things I enjoy about UTJ: allowing for diverse opinions. I posted on Carolyn Baker's recent post and I agree with bag lady from FLA.; however I still will vote.
I don't always agree with the posts, and some of the "justadog" posts I find almost offensive, but I always, always and forever want everybody to exercise their freedom of expression.
Posted by: bill at February 18, 2008 10:35 AMI will also vote if only to write some arbitrary name in the box. Or some comment that states I am not happy with the presented choices. We still have paper ballots here in Oregon. I have suggested in the past a peaceful protest of sorts, voting every which direction but the way prescribed to us by the media. The problems is gaining enough consensus among the majority to throw an election into a tailspin like that.
I think there is a lot in America that we take for granted. Fast food and the waist, er, waste, that goes with it; credit accounts that buy the short term and drown us in the long term; in vitro fertilization; genetically modified and processed foods preserved for life; drugs for almost any ailment; cosmetic surgery and laser hair removal for the beautification for life process; and my favorite, running water. I haven't heard of any Cholera outbreaks on this continent recently.
My sarcasm aside, I think the right to vote gets lost admidst all the other stuff that we value in the average American life. Many look to our government to keep the gravy train full for those who can pay for it, and condemn those who cannot.
Perhaps I will vote for the homeless veteran who cannot vote unless a physical address can be proven. What's his/her name?
Posted by: Shawna at February 18, 2008 1:23 PMSo long as my income is tied to th VA knowing approximately where I am and those bastards who decide who to call for jury duty continue to demand my presence every two years, I guess I am fucked, but I am really making every effort to move to BC and live out my remaining years quietly in a camping trailer off the grid! Or on a bar stool in Saigon ....fuck everyone!
Posted by: Ed at February 18, 2008 10:11 PMBeing a participating member of the most obnoctious nation in the history of the planet that is most likely to be the most responsible for destroying all life on the planet is not something I enjoy. The Pleasure of voting within such a shame is grotesque! Are you kidding! I can't take enough showers with a stiff bristled brush to rid myself of the feelings...!
Posted by: Ed at February 18, 2008 10:25 PMAs aq shake-n-bake NCO in Nam, I was a scuad leader for three months, in a line platoon, then was in charge of fire direction control in the mortar platoon for threemonths where my singular contrabution was to to take point ahead of a bunch of assholes I was in terror of having to excplain to their mothers howd I lost their sons in a stupid fucking war we had no righteous reason for fighting. Then I was platoon Srgt for a month before I was busted for insubordnation.! Fucdk 'em all! I akm sick of the fight!
Posted by: Ed at February 18, 2008 10:36 PM...and by the way, I told my men ever day, no heroics, but one of them went back to Nam after i could contrle him and now has a Gymnasium named after him at Frt Bliss because the son of a bitch threw away the beer can instead of the grenade. If he could stand before me today, I would beat the crap out of him, damn hi,m. Dqawmn him all to fucking hell! Maybe someone who is not hampered by tears who can see clearly can correct my syntax and spelling, fuck America!
Posted by: Ed at February 18, 2008 10:48 PMMitchell Stout, Medal Of Honor recipient...glory be...the stupid SOB He was supposed to live!
Posted by: Ed at February 18, 2008 10:52 PMSide note: No one "Wins" the MOH. It is not a race!~ One is given it after being witnessed doing something stupid that happens to result in saving US Lives, unfortunately other lives are less valued. The Soldier's Medal is similar and far more significant because it values lives of others than shit eating mangy hounds on our side!
Posted by: Ed at February 18, 2008 11:40 PMIf anybody is still reading, I had another man who's proudest moment from Nam was receiving the Soldier's Medal for saving a civilian life, then more than a decade later continuing in the spirit of helping, he drove his squad car out into traffic in response to a call and caused a collision that killed a woman driver who had no connection to anything going on. Fortunately he has survived his personal pain, but it hasn't been easy. Life is not logical or easy, it is just LIFE! Vote or don't vote. This is the most obnoctous nation/people in history! Fuck 'em!
Posted by: Ed at February 19, 2008 2:32 AMAs for me, I think I am going to quit trying to inspire others. Good-bye!
Posted by: Ed at February 19, 2008 2:37 AM...as the green berete at the bar in the Legion Wedding scene in Deerhunter said so eloquently....."F......
Posted by: Ed at February 19, 2008 6:22 PMTRUE, sooner or later, everything boils down to a Henney Youngman one liner. "Attitude check! Please!" ANSWER: "Fuck-it!"
Posted by: Ed at February 19, 2008 8:33 PMTo track this topic without leaving a comment enter your email address: