How can you convince someone that change happens through voting?

Question

My co worker said that he doesn't vote because he has these wild ideas about the electoral college and how the government is illegal because of the Federal Reserve Act..

Its just nonsense to me because he's not exercising one of the basic freedoms that other countries would die for. I have tried ad nausem, but he refuses to vote, yet complains about some of the officials.

Other than telling him to shut up, what is the mature way to approach this issue to eliminate the complaints and possibly convince him to vote?

lonelytraveler.. I guess there's a reason you're lonely. Just asked a simple question. No need for the rudeness.

Answer 1

Well just let him know that he's right. The fact that he isn't voting really isn't making a difference. But if all the people that think like him actually bring their lazy butts to the ballots it could make a difference. And I sure hope that he never complains about anything that Bush and his corrupt administration are doing!! I think people that don't vote have no business complaining about anything the government is doing because if them and all their non-voting buddies would vote, there is a possibility that things could be different. You can tell him that!

Answer 2

Guess what? Our constitution protects the right of someone to complain about elected officials even if they don't vote. And you have the right to ignore them.

However, he is wrong about this. So few people vote these days that a strong block of voters could change the politics of this country dramatically. Look what the religious right did for the Republican party.

I think most people who don't vote have a right to be disillusioned because of our current state of government. Politicians are sold to the highest bidders. These big donors don't give money for the fun of it....they expect something in return. And the American people, voters and non-voters alike, suffer because of it.

However, the only way to change the status quo is to get involved at the grass root level with others who have similar political ideas and grow the organization. Change does not happen overnight, but it will happen.

Answer 3

Voting can express one's opinion, and that's about all. Not voting is also an expression of one's opinion. We have the right in this country to vote for the 'lesser of two evils' or to refuse to vote for 'either of the two evils'.
Encourage your friend to vote as a way of expressing his opinion.
However, he's right about the electoral college, the Federal Reserve Act, the federal income tax, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the the monopolistic, terribly corrupt two-party political system in our country. These are all facets of our government that are Constitutionally illegal, corrupt and unethical. The popular vote counts for little these days; members of the Bilderberg Conference have long ago decided who will be our next President, and the 'vote' will be manipulated to reflect their decision.
I know voting seems like the patriotic thing to do. What's truly necessary is something that most American citizens are too timid to consider: a second American revolution, wherein we exercise our Constitutional right to "keep and bear arms" against a tyrannical and oppressive government. But, like lobsters languishing in a pot of lukewarm water, we're far too comfortable to do anything so radical. We'll wait until the water starts boiling, and only then will we start screaming in agony over our own apathy. You can't change things through voting; all you can do is express your opinion (example: in 1992, 19% of the popular vote went to H. Ross Perot. "Republicrats" pulled out all stops to dismiss Perot as a 'quack', destroy his credibility, and threaten his family if he persisted in trying to win the Presidency. Yet, all the candidates followed Perot's lead and embraced 'family values' and claimed not to be 'career politicians'. The only reason Perot didn't win in a landslide was because his corrupt opponents played dirty).
Your friend should vote just to register his personal disdain for such skulduggery.
Sadly, however, the 'Republicrats' have too much of a stranglehold on our political system to allow any decent politician to stand a chance.
In 2008, you will see a weakened, less aggressive effort on the part of Republicans to win any elections. This will happen because they know they won't be elected, or re-elected, anyway. Democrats will see a resounding victory. Shortly after Bush leaves office, this country will be hit with the worst economic depression in its history (worse than October, 1929). In 2012, the Republicans will come back strong, blaming the Democrats for the depression, and winning back the votes of gullible Americans who only "vote" their pocketbooks.
As Adolph Hitler once said: "How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think".
-RKO- 07/28/07

Answer 4

Convince him to go back and finish High School that would be a start. Some peoples views can't be changed and that's a good thing. If we all felt the same way about everything the world would be a very boring place.

Answer 5

You are the one to shut up. At 78 have found when I used to vote it was like putting two yellow dogs in a sack and shaking it up, when you open it up out runs a yellow dog. These lying politicians will tell you anything and everything you want to hear until they get into office then they do as big company's lobbyist tell them to do.

Answer 6

Does he know he can get an absentee ballot to vote? That way he does not even have to go to the polls, just order it online from the secretary of state's website for his state.

Answer 7

Just tell him ONLY those that vote have the right to complain. He doesn't vote, then he is say A-OK to whoever is in office.

Answer 8

Well, as we found out in 2000, our votes don't always count.

Answer 9

Every complaint he has answer with "You should've voted" People that don't vote don't get to complain.

Answer 10

I wouldn't waste my time on someone who is that mis-guided.There's no hope for him...Tell him to shut up and find a new friend who is more mentally stable.