if you don't exercise your right to vote do you really don't have the right to complain?

Question

Seriously, I hear people bitching almost everyday about how FLICKED up things are in our country and I ask if they voted.

"No man, that doesn't count anyway."

I just tell them to shut the FLICK UP and talk to me after they vote.

This is not a 1st amendment question - the second part is what is known as rhetorical. the question is in fact a statement about those that complain about everything yet never make the ffort to get off of their lazy a-s-ses and do anything about the problems.

For example I vote, I am a precinct chair and an election judge. I participate in my community. I even ran for public office. In otherwords I am involved and a part of the process.

That is whay it irritates me so much to hear people complaining. When you ask what they have done? Did you vote? The answer is almost always NOTHING! They have done ZERO and won't even make the effort to vote. They will make a significant effort at coming up with excuses though.

I hear ya Sarge....

Answer 1

Totally agree. If you aren't at least a small part of the solution, you are a big part of the problem

Answer 2

I would say yes. The problem is how many people are INFORMED voters? I would even take that a step further and say that if you are not an informed voter you have no right to complain. Just like when searching for a family doctor, a dentist, or even a hotel room, you are going to look for the best at the best price. You should do the same when considering a candidate. You have to look at all the candidates, listen to the debates, watch their body language, how they are asnwering the questions, listening to all the rebuttals, and then coming up with an informed decision about who you like the best. Forget republican or democrat. You are voting for the next leader, not how much money they raised or what party they come from. So yes, I don't think anyone can complain if they did not vote, or if they voted for someone just because.

Answer 3

Nowhere in the First Amendment is there any requirement that one vote. It is a right held by all citizens.

And, what of those who are unable to find any party or candidate that represents their values and priorities? Are they to abandon their principles and vote for the lesser of evils for no purpose other than to validate what has become nothing more than a one-party, one agenda system that (through manipulation of election laws and regulations) restricts the participation of alternative parties and candidates?

Voting just for the sake of voting is not the act of a patriot. It is the act of mindless sheep who see the political process as nothing more than a sporting event where being on the winning side is more important than principle and what's best for the country and/or its political subdivisions.

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Answer 4

You left out half of the equation, my friend. The people who REALLY p!$$ me off are the ones who complain about how bad everything is but (a) never vote, and (b) never even try to do something about it. If all you can do is complain and never offer any helpful solutions, volunteer your time to work on a problem, or exercise your right to help choose who will run your local/state/Federal government, then I have four letters for you: STFU!!!

Answer 5

Depends. There are situations where some people cant vote and even for the people who do, if there is nobody out there you agree with, I'm not going to give someone my vote just because. There isn't always the "no vote" option. I would rather not vote at all then vote for a bum.

Answer 6

People don't realize the significance of one vote. I guess they never learned math in school to realize that numbers add up and every single digit counts. If it didn't then they wouldn't bother counting the votes not would they?

Answer 7

Good point. How can you note take part in the process and then adopt a holier-than-thou attitude/ if you don't participate, it meas you accept the status quo and that is the worst kind of cowardice for someone who claims to want change.

Answer 8

Here! here! My friend told me that after Bush was elected to his first term. I hated Bush then and couldn't stand him (only because the media suggested I should) and I wanted him out. I told him that I didn't vote and wasn't even registered. He said that since I didn't exercise my right I really had no place to complain. It's like complaining to your neighbor that there is no food in your home... and then saying to you neighbor that you didn't go shopping!

***I did vote for Bush for his second term. Amazing what happens when you grow up and stop counting on the government to bail you out of your own hole, isn't it?!

Answer 9

What about when your Candidate is not nominated, and the electronic voting machines wont allow write-ins?

Answer 10

Yes do you have the right to complain. Voting is not mandatory and is another right afforded by this country. I suggest you re- read amendment I
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I see nothing in there about talking about voting.

Answer 11

of course you can complain this is america the land of complaints.

if the person you vote for wins and does a shiity job does that give you the right to complain?