Not voting? People blame apathy or say local politicians are all the same, is this an excuse for laziness?

Question

Most of the time the people only seem to show an interest if it affects them directly. No one gave that as a reason when I asked why they don't vote, so now I'm asking for people to give me their views on the two main answers, apathy and "sameness".

I should explain that I am a local Councillor (Conservative), I work hard in my ward to get people interested and to explain why they should be interested. I knock on doors, send letters, write and distribute newsletters/surveys (not at taxpayers expense). I've helped many people in my ward and been active on Council issues generally. I was re-elected last May. I'd add that if you met and compared the Councillors I know you'd see they are very definitely not the same on all counts.

Answer 1

I always vote even if there is only 2 seats on the ballot to vote for. My vote may not make a difference but it also may make the difference.

Answer 2

Other answers are well spoken. I'd like to point out some political nuances.

The two parties don't like competition. So they rig voting districts. That means that once someone gets elected, it's hard to get someone of the same party to run against them. The parties don't like too much competition in the primaries so they often run weak opponents against 'their current man/woman'.

In areas where one party dominates, the local media will not report negative stories so the people never hear about how the party in power has abused their reign.

Yes people are lazy. They don't dig. They don't think. They go with the flow. But both parties use this and encourage this and create situations where dropping a ballot is concidered doing their civic duty. Of course it's typically a mindless exercise! The media doesn't help the average citizen know whats going on. So the problem is endemic with the two party system and a lazy 'two house fires and a car crash' media.

Answer 3

yes i think you are right in what you are saying but you have to realise why . Tv is a major part of this ,most of what you see on the box is propaganda and has dummed down the population , theres a reason why it is called (programing) .

The food chain has been another way to dum down as many foods supress the brain from focusing properly . you may have seen jamie olivers school dinners as one example, how the children were eating all the reconstituted crap , he brought in fresh foods ,the children eventually liked the food and they were more focused in class ,enjoying school more ,test scores going up ,children not going hyperactive . this is the same in adults if you exersize and eat decent food the mind is more stimulated.

vaccinations are another way of doing this there are many different chemicals that affect the brain and the main thing in vaccinations is the mercury that is put in there that has recently been shown though studys to be way over the safe human levels (like you'd wanna put any mercury in your system!!!) .

then youve got the fact that people just exept that the government knows what its doing ,they might not agree with some things that happen but the government is there to protect us arent they, when in reality at the very top that couldnt be more untrue.

depression rates are higher than ever ,ortism rates are higher than ever and it goes on and on . we have been dumbed down in the west . people work there nuts off come home eat crap food because they cant afford or cant be bothered (vicous circle) to make decent food ,then they zombie out in front of the box ,then the next day they do exactly the same they go about there buissness not careing whats going on in the world yet read murdoch familly controled western media (the sun) and become indoctrinated in propaganda .

this is a vast subject and the above doesnt do it any justice, i sugest you look into it . click on this link http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=786048453686176230&q=terrorstorm watch this docu/film and be informed youve taken the time to right this question and her is the answer.free to watch and research your self.

Answer 4

I would ask you: is it rational for an individual to believe that his particular vote could in any way effect the out come of any but the smallest of elections? The election would have to be carried by only one vote before it came down to a single voter. How many city or statewide offices have you heard of, let along national that have been won by one vote.

Apathy may be one name applied to eligible voters who not only do not vote, but also do not even bother to register. But is a lack of interest truly apathy? Cannot a person truly be interested in the running of his government but realize the futility of an individual voter swinging the election one way or the other.

The reason politicians are so hot to get everyone to vote is to buy into the out come. There reasoning goes: If you take part of the process then you have to accept the results. You will also here from these same folks that if you do not vote that you have no right to complain conveniently leaving out that the Constitution puts no such limitations on free speech. One can well believe that he can effect the government that is choosing by expression his opinions to as many people as he can whether or not he votes.

Suppose you did get every one to vote, would that change the out come? Cannot you gage the whole by taking a sample? Would the statistics change if the sample were 30 percent of the population as compared to 70 percent of the population? Not if it was randomly picked, that is why political parties spend so much effort not to get out the vote, but to get out the people who are most likely to vote the way they wish for them to vote, and in this effort money not only talks it shouts! I am not complaining about this, just explaining it. As a Libertarian I believe that a person should be allowed to do with their wealth as they see fit as long as they do not use it to coerce other to ask against their will.

If a person is not interested does that equate to laziness? Maybe, but most likely not, as most of these people are hard working good citizens except for not voting, if they reach a level of concern that drive them to act irrationally, they will vote.

I applaud you on your decision to try and change the government in a way you perceive as better. I am a Libertarian and find myself in agreement with both Liberal and Conservatives depending upon what the issue is. However, I must confess that if the choice was mine, and all I had to chouse from was Liberalism (or Progressivisms as they are trying to change the label to) or Conservatism, I would chouse Conservatism. But being rational I understand that I will never get to decide for the city, let along the state or nation. I wish you well in you effort.

Answer 5

This is the common cop-out for people who cannot be bothered, they are too interested in the goings on of the low-lifes who populate reality TV than in the things that really matter such as who governs us.
Britain is going down the pan in a sea of apathy and it's the people not the politicians who are to blame.
We get the politicians we deserve.

Answer 6

Politics is dying, the people have lost faith in it, and when it comes down to, it what is the point of modern politics? modern politics equals sleazy politicians vying with each other to produce the best soundbites, rather than actual policies & when they get in power they never do what they say anyway.

if we removed all the politicians tomorrow, would the world stop turning? becoming an MP seems a good way to make easy money if you have no other skill, a lot like estate agency but even less trustworthy.

Answer 7

Not quite the answer to your question Councillor, but it should be a legal requirement to show up at the polling station (or to return a ballot paper). That'd stop the apathy.

At the same time, there should be an abstention box on the paper.

Answer 8

Yes, I believe it is laziness. there is also a lot of voter apathy people say "oh whats the point in voting, they are all the same, nothingever changes and they all lie anyway".
Every time there is an election I have the same arguement with my friend, she never votes and it drives me mad. I launch into my "women died to get us the vote, people are still dying in this world for want of a democracy" she is sick hearing it :-)
I get really annoyed at people who dont vote and then they complain about the government! grrrrr

Answer 9

I don't believe it is laziness. I believe politicians are to blame. They are elected on promises that they fail to bring about once elected. Indeed, they do an about face, and end up doing the complete opposite. Look at Mrs Thatcher and Tony Blair on Europe. Both were anti EEC and then they signed us up into further slavery. They become true to type once elected ie they become lying, two faced, greedy politicians who no one likes or respects (except for a very few who are then sidelined by their peers). You seem new to the political world. Good luck.

Answer 10

It's laziness and a poor education - most people turning 18 won't vote because they don't understand what the difference between the parties is. In fact, I routinely find myself explainng it to people much older than me. I think they should teach politics and local government in schools.