Why do people say "if you don't vote, you can't complain"?

Question

I don't vote and I complain all the time.

Doesn't the first amendment give me the right to complain, whether I vote or not?

Answer 1

Reason why people say that is because, they actually gave their opinion in voting for a certain thing. The people that voted actually care more about what they voted for. Unlike those who didn't vote, people say that didn't vote, so they don't care, so their opinion shouldn't count......don't complain.

Answer 2

It is your responsibility as a citizen to vote. You don't take the time to vote, but you do want to complain. That would be like complaining about your children getting F's in every subject but not even trying to help them with their homework. Hmm.. does this make any sense to you? You can complain, but in my opinion you don't have the right to do it (and yes I do understand about the first amendment. I don't mean that kind of right). Voting is not something you have to do everyday....just remember that.

Answer 3

Do you not realize that our Solders are dieing for scumbags like you? Since you don't vote you should not complain because you do nothing to change the way things are, & make them better!

Now if you Were voting, in my opinion then you could complain because if things didn't change, then you can know you tried. If they did change then you would be able to say, (with much satisfaction) I helped make the change.

Since you Don't Vote, it is My Opinion that you should not complain, because you aren't helping in Any Respect to this Country.

So keep your big trap shut or vote you Liberal Pig!

Unless you are too young to vote, that's a different matter. Then you can not yet help the Nation by voting. If you are too young to vote then vote as soon as you're old enough to do so.

If not Vote Or Shut that Liberal Pig mouth of yours!

Have a good day. :)

Answer 4

It is a general expression to tell a person, you can complain, but, it is you nature to complain and not try to make a difference. Some people just complain about the things they refuse to try and change, others actually use their right to vote to create change.

Answer 5

It's not a matter of the first amendment, it's a matter of, if you
are old enough to vote , and don't you didn't do anything to
change what you are complaining about.

On the other hand, are you one of those who are not happy
unless you are complaining. In which case it doesn't matter
does it.

But the crux of the matter is no one is saying that you don't
have the right It's more a matter of you shouldn't.

Answer 6

Me personally I say that if you don't vote don't complain because you have a chance to do something about the government by voting. When you don't vote you aren't changing anything but you complain. You have the power to change the problem but you don't so just shut up about it. Its stupid to complain but you don't try to fix the problem that is in your power to change. That is like saying that you want to make money but you won't go look for a job. Well, don't complain about being broke if you won't look for a job. That's all I'm saying

Answer 7

Mostly cause they are asses ( consider the one who called you a scumbag and then realized you might be underage without apologizing). Others becuase they want to browbeat you into voting and to get you to vote their way.
If you aren't informed on the issues you shouldn't vote, (I"m a J.D. and I skip anything on the balot that I am not informed on) doing so just screws up the possibility of someone worthwile being elected. This is not an excuse not to vote, it is a reason for both you and I to extend our knowledge.
There are many people out there who just lack the wit to vote and ought not to be interfearing with the thought out decisions of others. For example, people who vote a certain way becuase their preacher told them too, because they have a fantasy not related to reality that a party helps people like them when it does not, people who vote a straight party line. Etc.
You can influance politics by not voting, but only if you have an history of voting. For example, I am, and have always have been, a republican. I'm am so disgusted with what my party has become in the last several years, that I could not vote for a single one of them this term. Not voting for them, gives them one less vote, not voting for them AND voting against them, makes a bigger difference.
As such, if I am a constant voter, I can make a political statement of disgust with my party by not going to the polls without going so far as to endorse the other party.
Pollsters follow voting patterns as much as running up to an election as parties are so closely divided as to make victory a matter of turnout rather than message. If you stay home, in a close race they will loose without you going so far as to vote against them. ( In some elections major parties have actually given contributions to third parties affiliated with their rivals in an effort to bleed off votes).
Vote or don't vote, but do it with thought and don't let it be becuase some moron thinks he can tell you what to do otherwise.

Answer 8

Yes, you're right. People should be clearer.

If you don't vote, you certainly *can* complain. What people mean is that if you don't, and then you complain about the things you neglected to vote on, you're a worthless loser. Shame on people for not making the distinction.

Answer 9

They don't say that. They say, " If you don't vote, don't complain." You do, however have the right to complain even if you were too lazy to vote. If sometime in the future we don't have the right to complain, you who don't vote will be largely to blame.

Answer 10

If you refuse to vote, or call your congressmen and refuse to do anything to change our society then what right have you to complain? Any lazy person can complain, but it takes a real man or women to stand up and try to change things for the better.