why do people say, "if you don't vote, you don't have the right to complain"?

Question

if you don't vote, because you don't like either candidate, and you feel that only having two choices (in the most recent case, both of whom are RELATED TO EACH OTHER, AND WERE IN THE SKULL AND BONES SOCIETY TOGETHER) is an ineffective system that breeds tyranny- aren't you pretty much going to complain either way from the get-go?

Answer 1

Because that is how we select the people that make all of the decisions in this country! If you don't like the two people that are running you need to learn how they got on the ballot and figure our how you can effect that process. But remember that in a democracy there can be as many as 49.99999% of the people that will not get what they want and they need to go along until the next election!

Answer 2

There are other options besides democrats and republicans. I've always felt like voting was picking the lesser of two evils, but I have recently started voting Libertarian. To most people, voting for a party other than the two major parties is wasting a vote and sadly that is the only reason they vote for a major party. If people continue voting this way, then most certainly, things will never change. We just have to get this way of thinking out of our minds. Michael Badnarik (2004 Libertarian Presidential Candidate) explains it best. He says to look at voting this way. If you were in prison and the only options you had was a 40% chance to get the electric chair, a 50% chance to be hung, or a 10% chance to live and get out free, even though it was only a 10% chance, you would more then likely choose life and freedom. Just because a minor party will more then likely not get elected doesn't mean we shouldn't pick it. As long as we continue our voting trend, nothing will ever change.

Answer 3

Voting is not the only choice we can make as far as participating in our own government. There are lots of other things you can do, but voting is the last chance people have for making their voices heard when it comes time to selecting who will represent us.

Government is made up of the people who show up. If you don't show up to participate, that is your choice. That leaves it up to the people that do show up. They may not be the best people for the jobs, whether elected or not, but unless better people show up to participate then that is who we will get to vote for.

Make sense?

Anybody can be mayor of a town or city. But we can only vote for the people that show up and run for the job. So the bottom line comes to your vote and if you don't even vote, then you have not participated in your government AT ALL and thus have no right to complain.

It seems lately we often vote AGAINST someone rather than FOR someone. That's because better candidates don't exist. Those better candidates didn't show up to run for office so we can't vote for them. We could even vote for YOU if you chose to participate in your government.

See what I mean??

Answer 4

Those people think because they put one freakin vote in that they have the right to complain. Well I say BULL$HIT we all know the electoral college picks the winner. These people just want to feel important and act like it's a badge of honor to say "Yes indeedy I voted, hooray for me" They ain't doin $hit! We all know the candidates lie just to get in that position and then go back on every promise they ever made.

Answer 5

It's rarely a one shot deal. It is a cumulative process of participating in elections to shape the government. Not to mention that the mere fact of participation sends a message to elected officials that the populous is engaged in their activities. This way when you complain, someone will care because there is a better chance you know what you are talking about and you will take action to see that someone who represents your views is put in office.

Answer 6

I agree. I usually don't like either candidate, but if I vote for a third party candidate I like, they say "Well, you just wasted a vote."
You can't win. I don't tell people what I voted or didn't vote because it's none of their business.

Answer 7

I can't vote for the President because I'm from P.R., but your excuse is not valid for me. One of the pillars of the democracy is the right to vote. In some country's you can get a fine for not voting. Remember that the vote is also a duty that your are doing for your country, don't throw it in the garbage can.
When a dictator run your country, a real possibility, you will appreciated this right.

Answer 8

no matter the issues the electees stand for if you dont vote one way or the other every one loses coz then you get stuck with the worst one of the bunch

Answer 9

it doesn't matter if you vote or not you can complain. it seems to me our votes don't matter anyways. i use to vote and the issues that had passed were not put into effect' just shattered the whole voting process to me.

Answer 10

You have done nothing about changing things. Thats like, your car breaking down, doing nothing about it, and yelling at the mechanic that the car isn't fixed.