Given the mass of mediocre candidates, why should I even vote?

Question

I mean seriously;
Hillary? Big-time trust issues
Obama? Charismatic, no experience
Edwards? Pretty boy
McCain? That horse has already run and lost
Ron Paul? Good ideas, too Ross Perot
etc.

Answer 1

According to the neo-cons, if you don't help one of theirs get into office and a Dem gets in the following will occur:

- The US army will be sent house to house collecting firearms
- You will have to file for a salary return vs a tax return
- Marriage will be banned
- Churches will be torched
- The Taliban will be given 1/3 of the seats in Congress
- Iran will overthrow the US
- And the world will end

Just as it did when Bill Clinton took office in 92. We all know how horrible the 90s were. I mean, the stress of choosing between all of those high paying skilled positions. Who needs that right? Investments soaring through the roof. Violent crime was cut in half. It was terrible, just terrible. Not to mention how tired people were from the record growth of home based businesses.

Give me eight more years of the wonderful life under GOP rule. I like $99 barrel oil and $3.25 gallon gas. Wal-mart offers all of the overtime a man could ever want. I've always wanted to live in a 1400 SF $500,000 home. When I travel abroad, spit is good for the skin.

Answer 2

You don't have to vote for someone but against others. The thing is that if no one voted, all feeling the way you do, we might just as well appoint a dictator and live with it. By voting, if you don't like what is going on you have more of a right to complain than someone who doesn't go to the polls and express their opinion by voting for the one closest to their views. No candidate will match your views exactly but it is important to be as close as possible. Keep in touch with the winner and let them know how you want them to represnt you. Democracy isn't only something that takes place every first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years. Democracy must take place all year long. If we don't use it we will lose it. So vote even if it is for the least of the evils.

Answer 3

I think you are listening to opinions far to much and haven't been able to make your own decision. Further more you only listed a few of the candidates. Why don't you take a look at Obama's experience comapred to that of John Edwards a 1 term senator with no previous political experience. Why isn't John Edwards considered inexperienced? Hillary has served 7 years in the senate and has not served in any other elected office. Obama served 8 years in the Illinois State Senate, followed by 3 years (so far) in the US Senate. Obama was a professor of Constitutional Law at University of Chicago and has a long history working as a community organizer.

Personally I feel Obama is more experienced then many other candidates including John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani, not to mention that not a single candidate has previously held the position they are seeking.

Answer 4

Write someone in, vote independent...the people you list above are not the only choices, just the one's you hear about. Find a party you agree with (libretarians, green, whatever) and vote 3rd party if no one else inspires you.

Oh...and 'pretty boy' is NOT a reason to not vote for someone. Look at their ideas...Edwards actually has some good ones.

Answer 5

Actually, not voting can constitute a strong message, but you can also end up with the worst of all possible evils as President. George Bush, for example.

Democrats (and rational conservatives) will be voting this time 'round.

Answer 6

Ron Paul

Answer 7

Edwards is a GOOD "boy"!
Good candidate anyway.

His ability to confidently take on big business interests anf their tryst with GOP isnt "pretty" its manly.

We need a change from the corporate interests that the republicans and enabling to take from the middle class!

Answer 8

I agree, if you don't vote, don't complain. the biggest problem, besides the fact that a huge percentage of people don't vote in this country, is that the people that are running are so similar in so many ways. and they dont' often stand out. but you also haven't heard much about edwards, research him. the only people the news channels really talk about indepth are clinton, obama, romney and huckabee. those polls that say that clinton and obama are ahead so far in the democratic field? one of them only polled 967 people. so do your own research on what they stand for and PLEASE vote. If not, than you have NO right to complain the four years afterward. not one peep.

Answer 9

Even if you vote AGAINST someone, you HAVE to vote. If you wont take democracy seriously, why should we expect our leaders to?

If you dont vote, you have no right to whine about who gets elected or why.

Answer 10

Because you have the right many people died for. The right to vote.