Poeple say: If you don't vote, you can't complain about the outcome. I think this is only half true. Thoughts?

Question

I think it's worse to vote ignorantly than to not vot at all. I think many people vote ignorantly & thats the biggest problem with voting. Some vote because their friends or family say your stupid if you don't, so what do you do? You vote mindlessly just so you can say you voted & in essence, most likely voting for a team you don't even agree with but didn't know enough to realize that. You helped the wrong team. At that moment you really ARE the problem & can't complain because you voted ignorantly.

Some people vote one way only because their familiy says so. Some vote for one side only on heresay & rumors about the parties to vote for. & some people pick on those who didn't vote to make them feel bad enough to talk them into voting for their team, which is selfish.

I think one should vote only after they've taken the time to know what they stand for & about who their voting for, & that sometimes takes time & much effort. You shouldn't vote just because.

Thoughts?

I think if you haven't voted because your still gathering the information you need to make an informed decision, you CAN complain about the outcome. I think this because you are participating if you at least are trying to figure out the best choice to vote for.

I think if you haven't voted and have NO INETENSION of voting, ONLY THEN is it rediculous to complain becuase you aren't participating at all, not even trying.

But then again what I'm saying probably sounds retarded to most people but sounds logical to me.

bobus1964 - Also, and I'll use what you said as an example, if it's true that you can't complain if you voted ignorantly and also if you haven't voted but are at least trying to figure out what the best choice is, then 99% of you can't complain because most people in general are ignorant about their decisions.

Even those who claim they voted smart, usually voted ignorantly in one way or another. Most all are ignorant.

The only way not to be is to take the time to REALLY know whats going on first before voting, even if that means not voting for a few years until you know enough. That would insure smart voting by most voters.

You can indeed complain if your participating in learning who to vote for and why.

BUT again, I think differently than most people.

Answer 1

I think it is a civic duty for every American citizen to vote. But you are very right that an ignorant vote may defeat your own purpose, because when you randomly vote for anyone on the ballot that somehow seems at the moment to possibly be the better choice, even though you know absolutely nothing about that persons history or views, you may actually help elect someone who does not have your best interest in mind. Even voting blindly straight down for one particular party, but you really don't know if some of them do not represent you political views, you may be making a mistake.

Having said that, I urge that all Americans start caring to research the candidates before any election and become INFORMED and there fore be an informed voter for a better America. I am Republican because I believe in Republican values in general, and I vote mostly Republican, but I will vote Democrat or Independent or Green, too, if I like that candidate better for his or her voting history or moral outlook over the Republican alternative. I voted for Bush and I stand by him now even when there is so much Bush bashing going on all around me, because I have done my homework and I see that he is an honest man who is doing his best and has the right ideas. I do also resent that there are so many stupid people who want to undermine our leadership in a terribly dangerous time of war which weakens our position and makes all the other countries laugh at us. And, I don't believe in blindly following a trend that hates one candidate or loves another just to be popular not really understanding all there is to it. So, before you vote, please study all of the issues in depth and know what your candidate really stands for, and don't listen to partisan propaganda to form your opinions.

Answer 2

you seem to be approaching this from 2 points

" If you don't vote, you can't complain about the outcome" and " it's worse to vote ignorantly than to not vote at all."

I also DON'T believe you should vote if there is no thinking behind it, but I DO believe if you didn't vote, you have no right to complain.

If you have done enough thinking to be able to complain, then obviously you had enough of an opinion (right or wrong)to cast a ballot.

And if either of the parties up for election aren't acceptable, then go in , take the ballot and then immediatley return it blank.

Its now a spoiled ballot, and shows the candidates that some people took the time to vote but thought neither of the candidates was deserving

Answer 3

Then, there's the theory that the candidate is lying through his teeth anyway! How many times have we seen a candidate say one thing and do something entirely different?

However, with the internet and google available with just the touch of a few buttons, We can learn a lot about a candidate in just a short time.

It is bizarre how little young people know about politics and candidates, yet the average person under 25 is a bleeding heart liberal. How sad is that! These people should just stay home on election day, at least until they have read up on their candidate of choice. However, most of them don't take the time to learn a thing about the candidate, the issues, the party, or the consequences.

It's really too bad that the brain dead in the US have so much influence over the outcome of an election! I am really uneasy about this new crop of liberals that have gained momentum in this country, today. I saw so much manipulation and negative campaigning amongst this group, that I am convinced, honesty doesn't mean a damn thing amongst the hole gaggle of them. This will reflect in spending, taxes, preferencial treatment, influence peddling and everything that can make democracy, dispicable!

Answer 4

Ignorant voters are worse than non-voters. It's ignorant voters who end up getting stupid laws passed. Don't vote stupid! But I still believe if you don't vote, you don't get to complain. It was after all a decision that the non-voter was given a chance to vote on but didn't because of laziness, apathy, or whatever. If the non-voter was still gathering info, I guess that falls under the laziness category. Sample ballots are available on the net for many areas weeks ahead of time.

Answer 5

If someone is not voting for one of the two majority of candidates, then their vote is almost literally not even counted. It's certainly not counted in a presidential election, because of the way the electoral college is implemented. And even for Congressional or local races, it's almost impossible to get an independent into office in most states unless that person is an incumbent (see Joe Lieberman).

So, there are tens of thousands of people who don't vote because it would be a complete waste of their time. Their vote is not counted. Trying to also deny them their voice, so they can't even influence other people, effectively disenfranchises them totally from the process, just because they are in the minority.

Answer 6

I agree that an informed decision is the best path and the best vote. But couldn't you go to the polling site and pull the lever without voting for any candidate. It shows that you participated. The same goes that if you like a candidate and they're registered under two or three parties, you can vote for them under your favored party and that looks favorable to them.

Like if I liked the Libertarians, I might vote for the Democrat or Republican candidate under that name.

Good thoughts asker!

Answer 7

You are correct and I think that if you are so ignorant not to know the issues and to have done you reasearch, then no, you don't need to vote and neither do you have the right to complain since you (being the person who is ignorant, not you as in the person asking this question) does not take the time to obtain the knowladge required to make a sensible descision.

Answer 8

i'll trust you. yet it particularly is purely the way of the international. people sense comfortable in the event that they see somebody they sense they could connect with. a fabulous style of people vote Republican each year in spite of the candidate. a fabulous style of people vote Democratic each year in spite of the candidate. a fabulous style of people will purely vote with the aid of fact the guy is from their abode state. Or people ought to vote McCain with the aid of fact they served interior the militia and so did he. regrettably many people do no longer look on the matters and vote for beside the point reasons like race, state, gender, profession, age, and so on.

Answer 9

well if you dont vote you cant complain. and if you vote ignorantly you cant complain either. plain and simple. the only people who have a right to whine are the people who voted intelligently and then the person for whom they votedfor decides to chenge thier stance on an issue.

Answer 10

Well I think your wrong to a point,a lot of men and women laid down there lives so you could have the right to vote,but as far as ignorant people voting,well in my opinion the last election was just that and the ignorant people got what they wanted,if only they would look at the facts before they went into the booth but oh well,thats just my opinion