Why Don't More Americans Vote?

Question

Per population ratio and countries that vote to decide the leadership and structure of their countries, the United States ranks 179! What's up with that? Maybe if everyone got out and voted instead of just complaining about what is going on in the US, we could truly be a government "for the people, by the people".

Answer 1

It could just be that Americans are lazy- which we already know from the rising obesity rate, or lazy in the uninformed sense. It could be that some are unwilling to make the effort to "get to know" the candidates who are running for office. When the time rolls around for us to cast our ballots, some may claim that they don't know enough about what each candidate cares about so don't feel that they can make a proper and fair choice and therefore don't vote. Or it could be that people take our right to vote for granted. For over 200 years we have had that right, and maybe people just don't appreciate that we have it enough.

Answer 2

Americans have become lazy in the way we view the government and our rights. Most believe that our rights are absolute, unchanging and irrevocable. Too many have been disillusioned by the flimsy political actions of our government since Vietnam and see today's politicians as liars.

Most of all, our methods of socializing our children- public schools- are no longer functioning on a level that competes with other countries because there is no competition between schools (which is ironic because our nation is capitalist- a system totally based on competition). Because our schools fail, our kids are not learning the importance of political participation and many believe they shouldn't have to participate.

Plus we're overdue for a major crisis that will unify multiple generations and political parties to work together. The last time that happened was World War II- 1945.

Answer 3

I believe it's one end result of our country's enormous success, and the comparative security and wealth we all enjoy.

When our country was in its infancy, everyone had a major stake in the outcomes from the political scene. After a fight which required a large degree of political involvement and physical support from most of its hopeful citizenry, the formation of a government that would embody and foster the hopes and dreams of Americans was of paramount importance. Heady, exciting times, events of awesome importance happening on everyone's doorstep. And, geographically, everyone's doorsteps were pretty close together.

Now, the government was formed long ago. The last, great generation who remembers from firsthand experience a time when the whole country was called to serve, and the enormous price they paid, is all but gone. The lessons of Korea and Vietnam seem to have faded from our national consciousness, at a time when we most needed to remember them.

For the last 30 years or so, the majority of Americans have been able to live in their own bubbles, for lack of a better term, in comfort and security. We don't have to know much of anything we don't want to know, we have wealth enough to pursue our entertainments, and control enough over our environments to avoid most avoidable unpleasantnesses.

Civic duty is hard work. One has to make an effort to be informed. It's almost a given that the political arena is a tumultuous, confusing one, one that enrages and deludes, and breaks your heart if you let it. Unless they actually enjoy the process, most people just find it easier to ignore politics as much as possible. They make their voting choices on the most casual acquaintance with the issues, or don't vote at all. Their spare time is spent on pursuing the things that entertain them.

Maybe the events of these past few years have been a wakeup call. I hope so; our national complacency is already costing us dearly, even if most of us don't know it yet, and our government has all but slipped from our control. With political gamesmanship holding up dealing with issues like global warming in a decisive way, the time is coming when we won't be able to avoid the end result of our indifference.

Answer 4

Why should I? My vote has no significance to the election results. And somebody that says so doesn't know math. The chances of 1 vote making a difference is a million to 1. I know most people think their vote matters, so I'll leave it up to them. But if I remember right nobody was worth voting for anyhow. There is more said by somebody that doesn't vote, then somebody that votes for somebody he doesn't really believe in

Answer 5

Too many people see that no matter how they vote, nothing changes. They consider voting simply a choice of the lessor of two evils. whether people are for the democrats or not, if they see that there is constructive changes taking place they will be more willing to vote the next time around!!

Answer 6

Because there parents were to lazy to teach there kids the importance of voting. If you don't vote you have no right to complain. Unless your a Liberal then it doesn't matter because you will complain anyway.

Answer 7

Most Americans arent aware that many people in other nations would KILL to be able to have freedoms that we do. (either they are not aware or they dont care) they also think that it has always been like this..which is also not true. so VOTE! im not 18 but i cant wait until i can participate..

Answer 8

I think the major problems is the confusion of whom to vote for, lack of knowledge of politics, and the act of actually transporting self to the polls.

Answer 9

I vote but i know people who elect not to because they feel like its fixed anyway they are gng to put in who they want anyway....but people who doesn't vote shouldnt have say about politics is what i believe

Answer 10

People feel that their vote is unimportant because of the way the votes are tabulated. Because of the electoral college, each individual vote is not significant.