If you are eligible to vote but choose not to..should you then give up your "rights" to complain?

Question

I realize that ANYONE can complain..but so many are eligible to vote yet they CHOOSE not to...then spend endless hours bitching.

Why is that?

Answer 1

Voting has nothing to do with participating in the electoral process by other means, including discussions, debates, rallies, posts, etc.

In fact, given the current implementations of congressional districts and the electoral college, anyone other than the two major political parties are largely shut out of the voting process. Their ability to speak on the issues is their only means of participation.

Answer 2

Everyone has the right to complain. That's free speech, and all Americans have that right, whether they vote or not. Having said that, it's rather hypocritical for a (eligible) non-voter to complain. The idea of constructive criticism is to make things better, and voting is the most important way the average American can do so. If you haven't done that, you're essentially complaining about problems that you haven't done your part in trying to fix.

Edit: After reading coragryph's answer, I should amend my own. Complaining without participating in the process AT ALL is hypocritical in my view. I hadn't thought of the other ways for people to get involved.

Answer 3

I am sure that many cannot bring themselves to vote for someone they can't support. That is a good reason for doing away with the electoral college and going back to a popular vote. There must be a way to open up a viable 3rd party system. I am tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. I esp. feel that I am disenfranchised because of that. I fear that voting for an independent or not voting is a vote for the greater evil. I believe that I have been proven correct. Don't vote=don't complain.

Answer 4

Not at all, i shouldnt have to vote for crappy candidates. IF YOU give me underqualified out of touch power hungry money mongering living in a bubble candidates who could care less about a middle class citizen like myself why should i have their BLOOD on my hands? I vote for great candidates, which we lack, so i am not going to just vote for the sake of voting. The point of voting is to get the best candidate in office, and right now we are trapped into choosing from only 2 parties who supply us both with crappy candidates who's first priorities lie with the lobbies that donated millions to their campaigns. So NO i dont lose my right to complain about the absurdity that is the 2 party system, you give me a GREAT candidate and i will supply you with a worthy Vote.

Answer 5

Voting means you earn the right to complain

Answer 6

Voting doesnt matter anyway so whats the point? And I vote every election I vote even though I know there is no point.

Answer 7

What's the point of voting? Whoever has the most influence with the courts is the one who will win, no matter how many people vote for the other guy.

Answer 8

I agree with you 110%.

Voting is the only power we really have to make a difference or change things we don't like.... vote for change...

If someone doesn't like the way things are and doesn't vote, they surrender their right to gripe about society or anything else for that matter. By not voting they have forfeited their civic duty and should not be allowed to voice an opinion one way or another.

It's like, 'Hey if you didn't vote then shut up already.'

Answer 9

Yea! Sounds like a bunch of miserable truck drivers.

Answer 10

There is a degree of hypocrisy in it, which is not illegal, but the exercise of the First Amendment is 99.999999999%UNCONDITIONAL, at least in the FORMER USA. Who knows what rules apply in the present Dumbyaland? Down with Dictator Dumbya!!!