Does it make u less of an American if...?

Question

Does it make an American born citizen less of an American if they choose not to vote? My boyfriend doesnt want to register to vote. He has yet to give me a reason for his decision. I mean my views on voting is cuz so many ppl died, lost family, went to jail, were riddiculed and beaten in order for future generations of Americans to get the chance to have a say in politics. I know he understands their sacrifices, but he wont tell me why he doesnt want to vote. I have only brought the subject up once and then let it go, but it bothers me to know that he wont be with me when it comes time to elect the new president. We had slim pickens for 2004 and that was my first time voting. Does voting define a person as being an American?

Answer 1

I don't think it makes you less of an American, I just think it's a great privilege that we as Americans have that he's not taking advantage of. Ironically it is often those people who don't vote who complain about the state of the country/state/municipality, etc. They feel frustrated at the way things are so it repels them from voting. I personally feel it motivates me to vote - to get off my butt and try to make a change. Regardless of what your stance is on the issues, I think it's a shame not to let your voice be heard.

Answer 2

I wish everyone would vote. That is your only chance for a real say in what happens in this country. However, I do not believe that voting or not voting makes you any less of an American. My personal opinion though is if you do not vote, do not complain about politics. If you do not vote, you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Voting in my opinion is your ticket to the show. Before anyone gets upset, just remember it is only my opinion, and I am entitled to it.

Comments about how votes don't count are disturbing. It is that very attitude which keeps the system as it is. If more people voted especially for independent candidates the system might change, but because of the jaded attitude no independent stands a chance, and the major parties know this. While I will not say you can change the system overnight, it has to begin somewhere. I would also submit that if there was a chance that independent candidates could be elected to high office the major political parties would be forced to reform themselves in order to be more responsive to voter demands or face their own eventual demise. Do not think for a second that the Democrat and Republican parties are set in stone, major political parties have disappeared from the scene in the past, and it can happen again.

Answer 3

An American is an American is an American. Equality is what America was founded upon, was it not?

As for not voting, how many times have people heard that if you don't vote for either the Democratic or Republican candidate (as in the 2004 presidential election), you're throwing away your vote and might as well not vote? I think that the reason so many people don't vote is because they're jaded by the petty rivalry between the two major parties, and the lack of "viable" alternatives.

Answer 4

My answer is no, it does not make you less American. It doesn't matter rather you vote or not, people are still going to die and lose family and go to jail, plus all of the other. You have to do what makes you feel right. I'm not in the states at this time and I am an American, but I don't vote for my own personal reason. It's just like voting, why have secret ballots if you're going to tell everyone who you are voting for?

Answer 5

I put off registering for a while too, it comes from an understanding that your vote doesn't really count. Even if we did elect our president based on the popular vote (a true democracy), they give us a choice between 2 wealthy elites that have had their campaigns and pockets lined by the other wealthy elites that will benifit most if they get elected. They have a word for it and that word is Fascism.

Answer 6

Tell him he may not complain about the taxes he pays, or the condition of the roads he drives on, or the quality of the beef in the supermarket, or the speed limit, public or commercial television or radio programming, insurance rates, the price of gas, and generally the world around him.

Why? Because he doesn't vote.

Answer 7

Not at all. Some people believe dont believe in picking "the better of two evils". I can understand this thinking, as often neither or Dem or Rep canidated were what i would call good. Some people wont vote for someone they dont believe in just because they dont like his opponent.

Answer 8

I think that everyone should vote. I don't care if they agree with my view or not so long as they exercise their right to vote.

However, if he doesn't want to vote then he has no right to complain about anything government because he didn't express his opinion during elections.

Answer 9

hey hun....you know thats a really good question.... used to i couldn't wait for my chance to vote but im sad to say that i have had yet to cast a vote....lately i have not been able to choose who to vote for because the sad truth is i have realized that they can and will say any thing to get in the white house...just because they say there gonna do great things doesn't mean they will once they get behind that big shiny desk....love daisy

Answer 10

People also fought and died so we could choose not to vote. Please remember this is a free country. If he chooses not to vote, he has that right. It's sad that he won't have a say in the outcome but different strokes...