NationStates Jolt Archive

[If you did vote (not neccessariy for Kerry or Bush, just so long as you actually VOTED), then please ignore this thread.]

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All the hype about how the youth vote was supposed to be huge, and MSNBC just released stats saying that the youth vote is 17%....exactly the same as in 2000. So much for all the hype about how the youth vote as supposed to be at least in the 20%.

All this bitching and moaning all for nothing, because you couldn't get off your stupid asses and vote.

Ya know what, if you registered to vote and did not vote today, you have absolutly NO right to bitch about anything over the next 4 years if something happens that you don't like, because you didn't vote. Not neccessarily for Kerry mind you, but the youth of the nation have talked big but not come through yet again.

[/rant]

Speaking as someone who did vote, agreed.
(I know you said to ignore it, but I was curious as to what you had to say.)

If that's true, I'm disgusted with my age group. This was the second time I've voted against the Chimp, and there's not a damned thing that could have stopped me tonight.

I know one person on this site who bitched and cried and did not vote...Chess Squares. He officially has ZERO right to ever complain again, because he wasted his one chance to make a difference.

It is very disappointing, and I agree with you. 17% is absolutely shameful.

That's always going to be the problem with appealing to the youth vote: So few of them can be bothered to vote.
I did wonder about the media reports that used Kerry's appeal amongst the young votes as support for his election chances.
It's funny how few voted. For me when I turned 18, I looked forward to doing so, because it had the feeling of being accepted as an adult finally.

I'd have voted for Kerry too if I could vote in the U.S. :(

I'm not surprised, nor am I upset. Most people in that age group are generally ignorant of the issues, so I'd rather not have them vote anyway.

i would have voted but i'm only 17

Seriosuly it really ticks me off...

I mean, if i was old enough, i would be voting, dammn strait!
But these people who actually can? - nooo they're too busy doing whatever it is that they're doing. ARG!

I'm not surprised, nor am I upset. Most people in that age group are generally ignorant of the issues, so I'd rather not have them vote anyway.

The youth, in such an example, are merely a fitting sample...most Americans are ignorant on the issues. We can only speculate on the ones that don't vote...

Young people probably have the most to lose in this election, so why the hell aren't they voting?

On the other hand I think this goes a LOT further than voting. It's about educating yourself, becoming involved, being passionate and not putting up with crap! Real change won't come about only by voting if you just shut up the other 3 years...

I swear if I ever hear someone over the age of 18 complain about the way things are going in the US and they say they didn't vote in this election, I'm going to absolutly lose my temper. It pisses me off how these people whine and moan, and then do nothing. Not even one of the few things that is a right in our country, the right to vote.

People in the 'youth voter' category take their rights for granted, and it's people like that who do not deserve any.

Young people probably have the most to lose in this election, so why the hell aren't they voting?

On the other hand I think this goes a LOT further than voting. It's about educating yourself, becoming involved, being passionate and not putting up with crap! Real change won't come about only by voting if you just shut up the other 3 years...

I knew nothing regarding about half of my propositions and local officials, but I took the time to change that before going to the polls today. It really isn't that hard to inform oneself and think about things when they are that important.

Then again, thinking is a horrendous bother to some people, if they know how to do it at all.

I could have voted, but chose not to. I could have gotten registered, but I didn't. Why should I? So I can elect one monkey, sans personality, over another? So I can elect senators and representatives who will totally ignore everything they campaigned on, and piss away all my tax money?

More than half a billion dollars was spent on advertising this campaign; a record-breaking sum that follows on the heels of the 2000 record-breaking figures. Money blown on expensive, ineffective TV ads that do nothing but howl at the opposition and beat each other around with their genitals.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.

The youth, in such an example, are merely a fitting sample...most Americans are ignorant on the issues. We can only speculate on the ones that don't vote...
Ever so true. Even the ones that claim they're voting for issues usually have one specific hot-button issue, and are completely ignorant of the rest.

When I was in line to vote today, the gentleman behind me, and I use the term loosely, was ranting that he was voting for Bush because "Kerry and his communist fag buddies are making affirmative action and giving these niggers preferential treatment."

Well, at least he kind of picked an issue, I guess.

I voted for the first time.

Even though Texas is a large Bush state, I am proud to say that he barely won Dallas county 50% to 49%.

My voice.

I could have voted, but chose not to. I could have gotten registered, but I didn't. Why should I? So I can elect one monkey, sans personality, over another? So I can elect senators and representatives who will totally ignore everything they campaigned on, and piss away all my tax money?

More than half a billion dollars was spent on advertising this campaign; a record-breaking sum that follows on the heels of the 2000 record-breaking figures. Money blown on expensive, ineffective TV ads that do nothing but howl at the opposition and beat each other around with their genitals.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.


Regardless, you chose to ignore a right which has been given to you by your forefathers. Therefore you do not have the right to complain about anything that happens over the next 4 years because you did not vote. Shit, even if you voted for yourself, a vote is a vote.

I voted for the first time.

Even though Texas is a large Bush state, I am proud to say that he barely won Dallas county 50% to 49%.

My voice.

Good for you, and it's good to see you on NS again.

You Americans should bring in compulsary voting. That will get the little ones out of their Universities, Ghetto's and such. In my country we have to vote and its better because it gets lazy arses to do what they are supposed to do.

I would have voted for Kerry though.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.
Well then USE that! Do something. Start working for change. If everyone jst sits around being disillusioned it's pretty useless isn't it?
And I agree, the two-party system is ludicrous, especialy when the two partied hardly differ in policy.

Regardless, you chose to ignore a right which has been given to you by your forefathers. Therefore you do not have the right to complain about anything that happens over the next 4 years because you did not vote. Shit, even if you voted for yourself, a vote is a vote.

I haven't complained about Bush in four years. I have a life, and Bush really has virtually no impact on it. DC is a long way from where I live.

Well then USE that! Do something. Start working for change. If everyone jst sits around being disillusioned it's pretty useless isn't it?
And I agree, the two-party system is ludicrous, especialy when the two partied hardly differ in policy.


WORD.

That's why I recommend people vote for third-party. Even if you don't win, we're close to having enough votes in multiple third parties to break the two-party system.

I haven't complained about Bush in four years. I have a life, and Bush really has virtually no impact on it. DC is a long way from where I live.


Not neccessarily about Bush, but ANY issue tht involves the country YOU live in. This land is your home, stand up and do something.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.

Nothing gets fixed by sitting around and whining about being disillusioned.

Who do I vote for, then? Who reforms the system? Who fixes it?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Not many names up there on that soap box.

Vote The Greens then :P

If i was yankee maybe socialists instead.

The Greens are a joke, and Nader could use a bottle or two of viagra. At least that would put a little fire in his belly.

Who do I vote for, then? Who reforms the system? Who fixes it?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Not many names up there on that soap box.

How many third parties did you even look into?

It's not even necessarily what third party you vote for, it's the fact that you're not voting major party. Use your vote to show discontent with the two-party system.

Bush really has virtually no impact on it. DC is a long way from where I live.
You know, unless you live a hunter-gather existence in a cave somewhere that's not true, right? :p
There's also your state and local government here.

Who do I vote for, then? Who reforms the system? Who fixes it?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Not many names up there on that soap box.

America is a democracy, if you don't like the way things are, stand up and do something. If you're unhappy with the candidates, then go and do something yourself. Don't scoff and dismiss this, I'm dead serious. If you think the systems needs to be changed and there is nobody you trust to do it, then do it yourself. Excercise the rights you take for granted.

How many third parties did you even look into?

It's not even necessarily what third party you vote for, it's the fact that you're not voting major party. Use your vote to show discontent with the two-party system.

I haven't done any organized research into any of the major indie parties, but I pay attention and remember what I see about them when I see them.

As to the rest... I should vote for someone I don't believe in, taking part in a system I don't believe in, all for the sake of having done it? Seems like a thin reason to me.

AMF: I'll hold you to that. In fourteen years, I'm going to look you up and ask for your vote.

Here is your guide to most political parties.

http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm

They have

Nazi's
Tree hugging Nazi's
Communists
Socialists
Drug addicts
Hippies
Feminists
the KKK

AMF: I'll hold you to that. In fourteen years, I'm going to look you up and ask for your vote.
Got any policy yet? :p

I haven't done any organized research into any of the major indie parties, but I pay attention and remember what I see about them when I see them.

As to the rest... I should vote for someone I don't believe in, taking part in a system I don't believe in, all for the sake of having done it? Seems like a thin reason to me.

AMF: I'll hold you to that. In fourteen years, I'm going to look you up and ask for your vote.

Not for the sake of having done it, for the sake of showing that you're unhappy with the current system. Not voting does not show unhappiness, it shows that you're too lazy to be bothered.

AMF: I'll hold you to that. In fourteen years, I'm going to look you up and ask for your vote.


If I agree with you views in 14 years, I'll vote for you. If I don't agree, I will not vote for you. If I hate the whole damn system and demand change, I'll start something myself. Simple as that.

I heard that young voter turnout was really good, but anyways, I know a lot of students who were told they could not vote because they didn't live in this county and no one bothered to tell them that before the election. but actually they can get a provisional ballot, but no one bothered to tell them that either.

His policy would be to make WWE wrestler kane to be the leader and worship demons to grow and army and put fear around the world. Much like NS.

Got any policy yet? :p

Yep. Election reform, domestic policy reform, government overhaul. We need to take care of our own shit before going around and fixing other countries.

Remove that log from thy eye, first, and all that.

I am with you 100 percent AMF. If you don't vote, I don't want to hear you bitch. If you DID vote, speak your mind.

It's sad. I wish young people could see the impact of these elections on their future as americans.

I have seen it here, complaints building up, but it seems people feel as though their voice is muffled.

I would at least state: Your voice is yours alone, stand up.

Youth vote PERCENTAGE isn't as high as expected because overall voter turnout as well as same-day registrations were higher than expected.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.

Whatever it is, it's what we have. You think nothing is accomplished by voting? I say that nothing is accomplished in not voting. You affect no change (which means something this turbulent year, unlike in 1992, for example), and everyone assumes you are either apathetic or ignorant, so no political statement is made. Not voting serves does nothing, while a vote can, at least, cause something to happen, no matter how little. I voted for a Libertarian candidate today for US Senate...not because I thought he'd win over the Democratic incumbent, but because I voted my conscience. Useless? Perhaps...but at least I made my voice heard in this flawed system, and I can complain about the winner, knowing I didn't help him with my silence.

You Americans should bring in compulsary voting. That will get the little ones out of their Universities, Ghetto's and such. In my country we have to vote and its better because it gets lazy arses to do what they are supposed to do.

Exactly...

Whatever it is, it's what we have. You think nothing is accomplished by voting? I say that nothing is accomplished in not voting. You affect no change (which means something this turbulent year, unlike in 1992, for example), and everyone assumes you are either apathetic or ignorant, so no political statement is made. Not voting serves does nothing, while a vote can, at least, cause something to happen, no matter how little. I voted for a Libertarian candidate today for US Senate...not because I thought he'd win over the Democratic incumbent, but because I voted my conscience. Useless? Perhaps...but at least I made my voice heard in this flawed system, and I can complain about the winner, knowing I didn't help him with my silence.

You see, I'm not inclined to bitch about an election after it's over. It's just a few years, and like I said, I have my own life. My life is totally independent of this process, and doesn't need it at all to continue. After all, I was unemployed before Bush was elected president, too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russian Forces
You Americans should bring in compulsary voting. That will get the little ones out of their Universities, Ghetto's and such. In my country we have to vote and its better because it gets lazy arses to do what they are supposed to do.


Exactly...

Didn't exactly help us though, did it? :p
Although the Greens won nearly 20% in Melbourne. W00T.

Ever so true. Even the ones that claim they're voting for issues usually have one specific hot-button issue, and are completely ignorant of the rest.

When I was in line to vote today, the gentleman behind me, and I use the term loosely, was ranting that he was voting for Bush because "Kerry and his communist fag buddies are making affirmative action and giving these niggers preferential treatment."

Well, at least he kind of picked an issue, I guess.

Damn, where was that?!

Bush is winning this year on the single-issue voters, the party-line voters, and the uninformed voters. Of course, there are exceptions, and before someone chimes in to contradict me presenting themselves as an exception, I acknowledge you exist. I also think you are in the minority.

Who do I vote for, then? Who reforms the system? Who fixes it?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Not many names up there on that soap box.

That depends on what you want. Are you looking for someone to tell you what that is? There are a plethora of parties - get out and find one! Giving them votes at least shows your dissatisfaction with the ruling party and the opposition party.

If we get nuked by one of the bombs North Korea has developed under Bush's watch, it will affect you. Hell, the actions of his administration have global implications! You can't tell me you are totally unaffected in your location. I am in utter dibelief that none of the wide range of social, political, and economic effects this administration has caused have affected your life. Indeed, I'd have to question if it's a life at all, in that respect. Such detachment is unimaginable for a person merely in existence.

I think it's sad that young Americans aren't voting.
I didn't vote today because I'm too young. If I were old enough I'd vote.

Next presidential election, I'm going to be voting. Garenteed. And I'm going to encourage others my age to get into voting and really look at what is going on.

My Dad doesn't vote. He doesn't think his one vote really counts. But one vote is all anybody has, so if you want something done then you have to use that one vote. My Mom, on the other hand, votes. I remember discussing the issues and stuff last presidential election. I didn't understand most of it then, but I do now. Voting is important, and I'm going to vote as soon as I'm old enough.
So there is hope for some of us young people.

I'm 20 and I voted today. I voted for Nader since Bush hasn't done a good job the past 4 years, and I think Kerry wouldn't do any better. I live in New York so my vote wouldn't matter much. Kerry wins the state by like a million votes.

Then I voted against any incumbant running for a New York State office. They haven't passed a budget on time in 20 years.. And these budgets aren't just a week or two late, they are months late, sometimes over 3 months.

It's not even necessarily what third party you vote for, it's the fact that you're not voting major party. Use your vote to show discontent with the two-party system.

Indeed, at least this does something, rather than absolutely, unquestionably nothing.

I'm 19 in NJ and I voted for Kerry by absentee. They better have counted my vote or I'll be pissed even though he won here, but still. At this point, my feeling is, anyone stupid enough not to vote shouldn't be voting in the first place

That depends on what you want. Are you looking for someone to tell you what that is? There are a plethora of parties - get out and find one! Giving them votes at least shows your dissatisfaction with the ruling party and the opposition party.

That was the point of that comment. "Who are you to tell me I have to vote?", that's what I was saying.


If we get nuked by one of the bombs North Korea has developed under Bush's watch, it will affect you. Hell, the actions of his administration have global implications! You can't tell me you are totally unaffected in your location. I am in utter dibelief that none of the wide range of social, political, and economic effects this administration has caused have affected your life. Indeed, I'd have to question if it's a life at all, in that respect. Such detachment is unimaginable for a person merely in existence.

What has he done to affect me? Tax breaks? I haven't seen a dime. Hurt the economy? I've been happily unemployed for the last two years, and he had nothiong to do with me getting or keeping a job before then. His stance against gay marriage, abortion, the war on terror, the Patriot act? None of it affects me. I'm not going to find myself in a situation in which I will run afoul of any of those. Nor will anyone I know.

Alabama's a long way from DC.

You see, I'm not inclined to bitch about an election after it's over. It's just a few years, and like I said, I have my own life. My life is totally independent of this process, and doesn't need it at all to continue. After all, I was unemployed before Bush was elected president, too.

I say again, I am in utter disbelief that your life is utterly unaffected by your government. Do you honestly have no opinion about the current adminstration? About the opposition?

What, exactly, does matter to you? You keep saying that you have this life...so, tell me, what exactly exists and is worthwhile in your world?

What has he done to affect me? Tax breaks? I haven't seen a dime. Hurt the economy? I've been happily unemployed for the last two years, and he had nothiong to do with me getting or keeping a job before then. His stance against gay marriage, abortion, the war on terror, the Patriot act? None of it affects me. I'm not going to find myself in a situation in which I will run afoul of any of those. Nor will anyone I know.

Alabama's a long way from DC.


You're just a sterotypical American...."If it doesn't affect me I don't give a shit."

[If you did vote (not neccessariy for Kerry or Bush, just so long as you actually VOTED), then please ignore this thread.]

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All the hype about how the youth vote was supposed to be huge, and MSNBC just released stats saying that the youth vote is 17%....exactly the same as in 2000. So much for all the hype about how the youth vote as supposed to be at least in the 20%.

All this bitching and moaning all for nothing, because you couldn't get off your stupid asses and vote.

Ya know what, if you registered to vote and did not vote today, you have absolutly NO right to bitch about anything over the next 4 years if something happens that you don't like, because you didn't vote. Not neccessarily for Kerry mind you, but the youth of the nation have talked big but not come through yet again.

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Joe scharborough was saying this exact same thing yesterday. He was saying that any politician/party that depended on the youth vote was sorely mistaken. They have historically been let dow.

Now, when I heard this yesterday I completely disagreed with Joe. I thought there was going to a crazy turnout from the "invade iraq for oil" or the "Haliburton sweatheart deals or the Michael moore crowd.

I guess I should have just deffered to Joe.

I say again, I am in utter disbelief that your life is utterly unaffected by your government. Do you honestly have no opinion about the current adminstration? About the opposition?

What, exactly, does matter to you? You keep saying that you have this life...so, tell me, what exactly exists and is worthwhile in your world?

What matters to me? Myself, my friends, and my family, in that order. I honestly have no opinion about Bush or Kerry, other than the fact I wouldn't trust either of them to work my toaster, nevermind my country. Again... what can they possibly do to affect me that I can't ignore or adapt to? How much damage can they possibly do?

You're just a sterotypical American...."If it doesn't affect me I don't give a shit."

Welcome to Generation Y.

If that's true, I'm disgusted with my age group. This was the second time I've voted against the Chimp, and there's not a damned thing that could have stopped me tonight.

You might want to start by giving your opponent the respect he is due. Only a fool underestimates his enemy, and looking at the people who hate Bush, there are a lot of fools.

You guys might win more often if you afforded your opponents the respect that they are due.


Feel free to ignore my advice, it works out better for me.

That was the point of that comment. "Who are you to tell me I have to vote?", that's what I was saying.

Oh, I'm not telling you that you have to. I disagree with compulsory voting. I merely think that you're a fool not to. This has been cited as the most important election of our generation, and while I may not completely agree (being only 22, there will be many ahead, I hope), I think you'd have to be living in a space capsule to be unaffected by what's gone on over the last 4 years.

What has he done to affect me? Tax breaks? I haven't seen a dime. Hurt the economy? I've been happily unemployed for the last two years, and he had nothiong to do with me getting or keeping a job before then. His stance against gay marriage, abortion, the war on terror, the Patriot act? None of it affects me. I'm not going to find myself in a situation in which I will run afoul of any of those. Nor will anyone I know.

Alabama's a long way from DC.

Tax Breaks/the economy: The US economy will gradually affect you. I don't know your situation, but if you've been unemployed that loing yet still have the internet, you must be blissfully untouched by real life tribulations.

What exactly do you do?

For the moment, I'm between things, actually. Looking for a job to hold me over until I can get a nice, private student loan and go back to school this January. Until then, I spend my hours amusing myself and waiting to go to bed.

I rather like it, in fact.

I voted and I am pissed that Kerry isn't beating Bush at the moment!

What matters to me? Myself, my friends, and my family, in that order. I honestly have no opinion about Bush or Kerry, other than the fact I wouldn't trust either of them to work my toaster, nevermind my country. Again... what can they possibly do to affect me that I can't ignore or adapt to? How much damage can they possibly do?

That part in bold has to be the most naive question I've ever heard.

Other than that, your stance disgusts me. You are would seem to be a parasite on this planet; an insulated life that means nothing in the lifespan of this race. You were born, you live, and you'll die...and nothing will be any different for it.

I can't see how you can live with that. Your lack of empathy and utter apathy are astounding.

I swear if I ever hear someone over the age of 18 complain about the way things are going in the US and they say they didn't vote in this election, I'm going to absolutly lose my temper. It pisses me off how these people whine and moan, and then do nothing. Not even one of the few things that is a right in our country, the right to vote.

People in the 'youth voter' category take their rights for granted, and it's people like that who do not deserve any.

Let me point you to Chess Squares.

In my eyes, a typical child who likes to whine nonstop about conspirousy theories yet can find the time to do something about it(like voting)

I apologize to those of you who are democrats and are responsible citizens and get offended by the following statement.

chess squares = typical democrat. All rhetoric, no substance.

That part in bold has to be the most naive question I've ever heard.

Other than that, your stance disgusts me. You are would seem to be a parasite on this planet; an insulated life that means nothing in the lifespan of this race. You were born, you live, and you'll die...and nothing will be any different for it.

I can't see how you can live with that. Your lack of empathy and utter apathy are astounding.

I am no less than what I have been made to be. Your life is fleeting and ultimately meaningless as well. The difference between you and me is that I accept it, and I live what life is allotted to me. How much damage can he do? How many people can he kill, how many lives can he ruin?

Half as many humans now walk the earth as estimates say have EVER lived. How much value do you put on one, one thousand, one million, one billion? Can you even imagine a million people?

I am no less than what I have been made to be. Your life is fleeting and ultimately meaningless as well. The difference between you and me is that I accept it, and I live what life is allotted to me.

Who are you trying to convince? Yourself?

Who are you trying to convince? Yourself?

Why would I want to convince anyone of anything?

Why would I want to convince anyone of anything?

Maybe so we won't unanimously decide to kill you to conserve natural resources?
Really, we could replace you with much more efficent robot and society would be better off.

I could have voted, but chose not to. I could have gotten registered, but I didn't. Why should I? So I can elect one monkey, sans personality, over another? So I can elect senators and representatives who will totally ignore everything they campaigned on, and piss away all my tax money?

More than half a billion dollars was spent on advertising this campaign; a record-breaking sum that follows on the heels of the 2000 record-breaking figures. Money blown on expensive, ineffective TV ads that do nothing but howl at the opposition and beat each other around with their genitals.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.

Actually whether you vote or not a "monkey" will piss away your tax money. SO, why dont you vote to have some direction of where it is being spent. Not EXACTLY where you want it to go I know but at least you dont just give them your tax money and say "well, i couldnt be BOTHERED to tell you what to do with this"

Actually whether you vote or not a "monkey" will piss away your tax money. SO, why dont you vote to have some direction of where it is being spent. Not EXACTLY where you want it to go I know but at least you dont just give them your tax money and say "well, i couldnt be BOTHERED to tell you what to do with this"

The end result is the same. One route is futilely optimistic, the other is realistic. I don't care to delude myself.

I am no less than what I have been made to be.

And, unfortunately, no more. Again, how can you live with that?

Your life is fleeting and ultimately meaningless as well. The difference between you and me is that I accept it, and I live what life is allotted to me.

Such a laissez-faire existence is pathetic. Get up, do something. Else, why are you alive at all? I do what I do to affect my future, you're too damn apathetic to even do that.

How much damage can he do? How many people can he kill, how many lives can he ruin?

As long as they're not yours, right? I've never heard such a revolting lack of compassion or perspective...

Half as many humans now walk the earth as estimates say have EVER lived. How much value do you put on one, one thousand, one million, one billion? Can you even imagine a million people?

Can you imagine them dead? Because you did nothing? Those are lives you're talking about - those people exist as surely as you do. Their personal universes have as much right to protection as yours.

Enough discussion - this is pathetic. I'm not going to discuss meaning with one so meaningless.

You can insult me all you like, but, suprise suprise, I'm not going to care. You can call me pathetic and meaningless if you like, if you care to delve into the realm of hypocrisy, and all you'll do is make me uninterested in your side. You justify my standpoint with every putdown.

First off, let me say that I did indeed vote.

I go to school in Utah, so I sent in my PA absentee ballot over two weeks ago.

Utah is a republican state, so most young voters are under the impression that their vote won't count. And so instead, they just choose not to vote.

I am from PA, and from what I know, it was pretty close. I'm glad I could help make a difference.

Common sense is not as common as I would have thought it was.

Let's go back to the white male, educated land owner only getting to vote. Once we tell the rest they can't vote, maybe they'll take a stand for their right to vote and actually cast a ballot. Until then, you didn't vote, fine, it's your right, but don't let me hear you Bitch about what the gov. is or isn't doing over the next four years. You lost the right to complain when you gave up the right to vote for or against it. You may be disillusioned, but if you didn't vote, you're also ignorant.

You can insult me all you like, but, suprise suprise, I'm not going to care. You can call me pathetic and meaningless if you like, if you care to delve into the realm of hypocrisy, and all you'll do is make me uninterested in your side. You justify my standpoint with every putdown.

You seem to think I care enough to feel you need insulting. No, my final contributions to that topic were my true feelings, which are that I find your outlook on life and living repulsive, and refuse to discuss the nature of existence and meaning with one who is meaningless (as you, yourself, state) and barely exists. If you find that insulting, well, that's too damn bad.

The part in bold makes no sense. "My side" is that life is worth living and participating in entirely, in ways other than sponging off society while you do nothing, and what good is there in trying to convince an apathetic fool of that?

And again, if you find any of this insulting, you know what they say: The truth hurts.

18, voted.

Didn't exactly help us though, did it? :p
Although the Greens won nearly 20% in Melbourne. W00T.

Good point. But think how bad it would have been if only the conservatives voted....

Leftists are lazy (myself included), unfortunately :p

Leftists are lazy (myself included), unfortunately
Well none of the parties adequately represent my views, so yeah i'd be less likely to vote if it wasn't compulsory. I was like, I'm here, might as well try to get rid of Howard!

Well none of the parties adequately represent my views, so yeah i'd be less likely to vote if it wasn't compulsory. I was like, I'm here, might as well try to get rid of Howard!

Yeah, i know the feeling. It's a case of "close enough" all the time...

Well, I live in a safe labor seat. So nothing I did would have mattered anyway.

To be fair I'm not sure (as a european wot don't like Bush much) that any amount of voting turnout would have got rid of Bush. Remember we were reliably told that a high turnout would favour Kerry. The turnout was the highest since 1968 and Bush is winning/has won. Florida went off without a hitch. All seems a little suspicious to a conspiracy theorist like myself.

The BBC interviewed quite a range of black folks yesterday and all said, in no uncertain terms, that they would voting Kerry. I know it would be dumb to project that view and regard it as the view of the whole african-american community but it just seems strange that so many states are sticking with The Ape of Texas when many different demographics said they would go for the Kezzmeister.

But Blacks don't make up that much of the population - approx 36 million (12% of the total US pop), of which 26 mill (9%) are eligible voters. You also need to look at distribution of Black coommunities across America, and in what states. So only if ALL of them voted Kerry, would it have made much difference.

As for the PATHETIC 17% turnout for young voters, all I have to say is: I hops there IS a draft and the only way to avoid it is to show you voted! That'd be sweet.

My first time to vote, and you can bet that I did. Although it was a little more of a hassle than showing up at a polling place on a specific day (absentee ballot...took me sending in a request, getting a piece of paper verifying I was away for a right reason, sending that in, then waiting for my ballot and then finding a black felt tip marker and stamps to send it in), I voted.

By the way, thanks for the part at the top telling us who voted to ignore it (although I did want to hear what you said, and I agree that more of us could have voted). I've been painted with the same brush as an entire nation all day and I didn't feel like I needed to be painted with the "ignorant, lazy youth" brush as well.

Well I refuse to get grouped into this "young voters are a letdown" stuff. I'm up here in New Hampshire, where the youth vote did get out and they did turn the state. So I refuse to let myself be grouped into this letdown thing, even if I did vote in my native Massachusetts. We got college kids out to vote.

Well I refuse to get grouped into this "young voters are a letdown" stuff. I'm up here in New Hampshire, where the youth vote did get out and they did turn the state. So I refuse to let myself be grouped into this letdown thing, even if I did vote in my native Massachusetts. We got college kids out to vote.
The youth vote also turned (rather kept) PA for the Democrats. Bush led in every age group but the 18-29 year olds, and ended up losing by 2% overall here.

[If you did vote (not neccessariy for Kerry or Bush, just so long as you actually VOTED), then please ignore this thread.]

*********

All the hype about how the youth vote was supposed to be huge, and MSNBC just released stats saying that the youth vote is 17%....exactly the same as in 2000. So much for all the hype about how the youth vote as supposed to be at least in the 20%.

All this bitching and moaning all for nothing, because you couldn't get off your stupid asses and vote.

Ya know what, if you registered to vote and did not vote today, you have absolutly NO right to bitch about anything over the next 4 years if something happens that you don't like, because you didn't vote. Not neccessarily for Kerry mind you, but the youth of the nation have talked big but not come through yet again.

[/rant]

What do you call a candidate that relies on new voters to win an election?

The loser.

I'm 20 i voted , and I voted for Bush. and im perfectly aware of the issues :upyours:

Nothing new; happens every election.

And I agree with Boom Shakalaka: I'd rather they not vote, because they are either ignorant of issues or brainwashed by liberal college professors.

Let's go back to the white male, educated land owner only getting to vote. Once we tell the rest they can't vote, maybe they'll take a stand for their right to vote and actually cast a ballot. Until then, you didn't vote, fine, it's your right, but don't let me hear you Bitch about what the gov. is or isn't doing over the next four years. You lost the right to complain when you gave up the right to vote for or against it. You may be disillusioned, but if you didn't vote, you're also ignorant.

*listens to the sound of the women and minorities saying, "Kiss my WHAT?"*

(meant humorously because I always vote... and I don't happen to be a white, male landowner.)

I'm 20 i voted , and I voted for Bush. and im perfectly aware of the issues :upyours:


But CLEARLY you missed what I said in the first post. This thread is for the youth that DIDN'T vote.

And what the hell is up with all these new accounts that have 1 post and nothing more? Please, stop the madness!

I know one person on this site who bitched and cried and did not vote...Chess Squares. He officially has ZERO right to ever complain again, because he wasted his one chance to make a difference.
Agreed.

What do you call a candidate that relies on new voters to win an election?

The loser.


What do you call youth voters that piss and moan about the government then choose not to vote? Hypocrites.

Im quite surprised only 110 million Americans voted and there are 250 million. Its quite dumb and i agree that the 140 million who did not vote have no right for a voice.

I disagree with the premise that those who did not vote have no right to complain.

They have every right to complain. Guaranteed by the Constitution. There is no mandatory vote, and even if it was, what kind of stupid rule is it to have "complaining rights" anyway?

The idea that you dont have any right to complain about an election you did not take part in stems from the absurdly egocentric notion that the individual vote matters. Of course it doesn't matter if YOU, in PARTICULAR, vote. Democracy isn't about YOU, in PARTICULAR. It's always about masses of people, groups, and always has been. The individual is irrelevant.

It only counts if lots of people vote. Lots of people didn't vote. So what? Lots of people didn't manage to convince lots of people to vote. The effort was unsuccessful. In my mind, unless you have persuaded at least 10 nonvoters to vote, you have no right to complain ! ;)

[QUOTE=Tirest #15]
I could have voted, but chose not to. I could have gotten registered, but I didn't. Why should I? So I can elect one monkey, sans personality, over another? So I can elect senators and representatives who will totally ignore everything they campaigned on, and piss away all my tax money?

More than half a billion dollars was spent on advertising this campaign; a record-breaking sum that follows on the heels of the 2000 record-breaking figures. Money blown on expensive, ineffective TV ads that do nothing but howl at the opposition and beat each other around with their genitals.

Excuse me, this isn't an election. It's a sad and it's a broken hallelujah. We're not apathetic, we're disillusioned.

Don't you just LOVE the young..? It's all about THEM..!

Delightful.

The youth vote also turned (rather kept) PA for the Democrats. Bush led in every age group but the 18-29 year olds, and ended up losing by 2% overall here.
Yep, I'm 20, voted by absentee in PA for Kerry. :)
Small comfort, but at least PA went to Kerry.

Anyone wanna take bets on how long it'll take to get Roe vs. Wade to be overturned?

Im quite surprised only 110 million Americans voted and there are 250 million. Its quite dumb and i agree that the 140 million who did not vote have no right for a voice.
Turnout was closer to 120 million actually...and the 250 million (although I thought it was more) includes people under 18 who cannot vote, in addition to felons, etc who also can't vote. The turnout of eligible voters who did vote was nearly 60%, which still doesn't seem impressive to me, but was the highest since 1960 from what I've been hearing.

Don't you just LOVE the young..? It's all about THEM..!

Delightful.

Of course, if I wanted to convince young people to vote, the best way I'd have of doing it would be to act totally condescending towards them, lump every young person into the same category, ignore everything they write, pat myself on the back for being so morally and personally superior, and them masturbate a nice piece of self-righteousness out at them to top it off.

Yeah. That's the way to convince someone, alright. I know that when people act like that to ME, I'm usually insantly swayed to think just like they do.

Turnout was closer to 120 million actually...and the 250 million (although I thought it was more) includes people under 18 who cannot vote, in addition to felons, etc who also can't vote. The turnout of eligible voters who did vote was nearly 60%, which still doesn't seem impressive to me, but was the highest since 1960 from what I've been hearing.

that didn't bounce into my brain sadly. But yeah i forgot about the uneligible voters. I agree 60% doesn't impress me either.

We can definitely do better than 60%, but I am left to wonder why we don't. Maybe we're just accustomed to low voter turnout and not having our vote count. Maybe it's the Electoral College; I don't know. I know Europe has much higher voter turnout than the U.S., but many have PR systems and that probably helps matters. However, Britain's turnout is usually in the 80s, I think, and their system is single-member just like the U.S.

BTW, I voted as well. For Kerry. Though I am mad as hell at him and would have voted for Cobb if I had it to do over.

Woohoo, I'm one of the 17% and I gotta say... I'm ashamed at my age group.

I was so excited when I realized I'd be able to vote in this election. It's a shame I didn't contribute to a win (Absentee in California, so I at least helped win a state...), but I did contribute. I don't know how the propositions did, but I'll be finding out shortly.

I just wish the first campaign I could vote in was a successful one, but, hey, can't get everything I want. I made it into this election by 9 months (turned 18 last Feb).

It's a real stumper on how to get my age group out in bigger numbers. Perhaps 4 years of mandatory voting once you reach the age of 18? I dunno, just a random idea.

that didn't bounce into my brain sadly. But yeah i forgot about the uneligible voters. I agree 60% doesn't impress me either.
But take away the youth vote (there's about 50 miilion eligible voters, of which only 8 mill voted), and you actually have a turnout of over 70% for the rest of the population, which is pretty high and fairly respectable.
One comment I heard recently about the generally low turnout in the States was that ppl don't vote because they're content. So it's not a indication of apathy, but one of contentness with their lives and the way things are. This is probably true for a lot of ppl in the USA I would guess. And the fact that 70% of voters, aged 30+ voted this time maybe a good indication that they're not happy right at this time.

Yeah, but...
Why stand in line to vote when you have a nice, new copy of "Vice City: San Andreas" at home, dude?

[If you did vote (not neccessariy for Kerry or Bush, just so long as you actually VOTED), then please ignore this thread.]

*********

All the hype about how the youth vote was supposed to be huge, and MSNBC just released stats saying that the youth vote is 17%....exactly the same as in 2000. So much for all the hype about how the youth vote as supposed to be at least in the 20%.

All this bitching and moaning all for nothing, because you couldn't get off your stupid asses and vote.

Ya know what, if you registered to vote and did not vote today, you have absolutly NO right to bitch about anything over the next 4 years if something happens that you don't like, because you didn't vote. Not neccessarily for Kerry mind you, but the youth of the nation have talked big but not come through yet again.

[/rant]

:D I did vote! I made my freedon count. I voted against Bush too. ;) So I can complain about the all the crappy things he'll do in the next 4 years. But I concur with you about the people who didn't vote.

Yeah, but...
Why stand in line to vote when you have a nice, new copy of "Vice City: San Andreas" at home, dude?
If you could only use your playstation once every four years and possibly change the outcome of your nation with the results would you watch TV?

Does depend what was on..