Why, do we as Americans, feel that we have a right to condemn the government, when less than 50% of us vote?

Question

I have heard so many people criticize the government, for the war in Iraq, our continued presence in Afghanistan, the federal deficit, etc., etc., etc.

I have asked several, of these complainers, if they voted; the majority have said no. I feel that if you don't bother to vote, you have no right to complain about the state of our Union.

Americans don't just have the privilege to vote, we have an obligation to vote.

There are incumbents, in Congress, who have been in their seats for 20+ years. How effective can the "old guard" really be, in the world of today? In order to effect real change and resolution to real issues facing us today, there is a desperate need for Americans to get out and vote for new blood.

There are always going to be people who will corrupt & abuse the system, but the opportunity to bring in people who might actually work together to make a difference is a real possibility.

Ironically, it is the ones who don't vote that complain the loudest

Answer 1

Everything you said is true. I actually know a person who never votes but complains about politicians every day. This person also insists that the Holocaust never happened. So you see, there are many idiots out there.

Answer 2

Actually, it doesn't matter how many people do or don't vote, the actual presidential election winner is decided by the major television networks covering the election. They decide who will most likely win based off of popularity polls and surveys, then report who the new president is well before the actual tallies have been totaled. Don't believe me? It's all in the book "Everything You Know Is Wrong: The Disinformation Guide to Secrets and Lies " by Russ Kick. You should check out this book. It has some really interesting information. Anyway, I think the American government is so far out of reach from the American public, complaining about it is all we really can do. I've asked people time and again, "If I have a problem with the way someone is running the city/state/country, what can I do?" and the answer invariably comes back, "You can write your senator/congressman/president." So, it's not like he can't just read it, then throw it away. It's the illusion of power that keeps us in line. The truth is, we really have none.

Answer 3

Couldn't agree more.

If people truly want change, truly want to rock the proverbial boat then the best thing they can do is vote. Coming onto a site like Yahoo Answers or writing a nasty Blog will get you absolutely nowhere, it's not going to make anyone believe what they're saying.

The great thing about the United States is that the American people have a great responsibility and a great deal of power. People may say they don't, that the "system" chooses who will be in power and who will not. That's far from true. The American people themselves choose who will be in power.

If you want change in your government and you don't vote, you're defeating your own cause.

Answer 4

Hi,

I'm a voter and I agree that everyone has the responsibility to vote. But as Americans we have a right not to and also the right to say whatever we want. That's why people do.

Those who don't vote probably don't really understand the issues either. So they're just making themselves look foolish when they spout off about the government. I ignore them.

Answer 5

You are right, if you don't vote then you are giving up your right to complain. No matter what side you are on. You are given the option to vote for the canidate that you would want to represent you. If you do not vote, do not come back 2 years later and question the style of government that you didn't even bother to vote for.

Answer 6

I voted... I have the right to complain. Now whether my vote counted, that's another question, considering all the evidence coming to light regarding voting irregularities.

Just yesterday, on www.democracynow.org 's broadcast, investigative journalist Greg Palast discussed the disenfranchising of black voters from the voters rolls - more than a million voters being disqualified because of questionable residence... BECAUSE THEY WERE SERVING IN IRAQ OR OTHERWISE DOING MILITARY SERVICE!!! (And the letters sent to their home addresses to verify their residence was stamped "Do Not Forward" - so they couldn't respond). Not to mention voting machine irregularities.

So I will continue to complain in the face of rampant corruption and outright lies. Yes.

Answer 7

Ask people directly did you vote? Though some may lie, many are really proud about their inactions.

Anyone who can't be bothered voting, I believe, surrenders ALL rights to ANY comment on the way the country is run for the term of that government !

If you care enough to shoot your mouth off care enough to vote !

Answer 8

That's how our consumer society is set up. Why go out and vote when I can text in my opinions on mindless polls and surveys, thinking my opinion matters.

Until you devise a way to vote for president via cell phone, internet, or interactive TV that puts me into a lottery pool for a prize or a vacation, $h!t just isn't going to happen.

Obligation??? I can't touch that; I can't feel it; I can't hold it over my neighbor's head, chanting "Nyah nyah" because I've got something he doesn't; and I sure as he!! can't cash it in for cheeseburgers.

I f--king love America.

Answer 9

it is called freedom of speech our first amendment right to express our displeasure with our government.

That being said, I too feel that those who do don't vote have abdicated their b*tching privileges for the term of office of the person for whom they have enmity.

Personally, I don't care for GW or his policies, but since I couldn't be bothered to vote in either of the last two elections, I keep my mouth shut, support my President, solely because of his position; and vow that by the time the next election rolls around, I will be registered to vote and will vote for the most qualified candidates in each office up for election.

Answer 10

Everyone has the RIGHT to complain. It's just that those who didn't vote sound pretty well stupid when they do.