Voting is a right, not an obligation
Would you watch the World Series if you weren't interested in baseball? Would you invest your money without knowing anything about the investment? No? Then why would you vote if you don't know and/or don't care?
Why am I writing about voting in early January, 2005? Because this thought had been nagging me, and then when I learned that Richard Gere apparently speaks for me, I thought it was time. In case you haven't heard, Richard Gere is appearing in TV ads advocating voter turnout in this Sunday's Palestinian elections by saying "I'm Richard Gere and I'm speaking for the entire world. We’re with you during this election time. It’s really important: Get out and vote.” Of course, he's also standing with two individuals who advocate the destruction of Israel and Jews. Truly democratic beliefs. Beyond the sheer arrogance of the fact that Dick Gere does NOT speak on my behalf, I'd like to focus on his last sentence "Get out and vote".
How many people think we live in a pure democracy? If you do, your civics knowledge is incorrect. We live in a Representative Republic. A pure democracy would be the people directly make the governing decisions. We instead elect officials to local and federal government to make the decisions for us in theory based upon what the majority of the constituents desire.
Every time there is an election, there's always various events and people trying to get as many people as possible to go vote. For example, MTV has 'Rock the Vote', and Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Sean Colmbs, or whatever he's decided to call himself on this given day, had 'Vote or Die', supported by other celebrities such as Paris Hilton. Catchy, huh? (Ironically, they didn't bother to vote in the last election, so does that mean they should die? Well, hopefully their careers will).
Ever heard the expression 'Driving is a privilege, not a right?' Well, voting is a right, but not an obligation. I'm tired of hearing about these efforts to increase voter turnout, and then the expected newscasts afterward saying voter turnout was low once again. So what? I think it's better that way. Why? Simple. If someone doesn't know what he's voting for, or has no interest in what's going on, stay away. All your vote can do is muck up the process. The true obligation in our society is to be informed, and then to make an intelligent decision on whom to vote for, based upon what information you have gathered. We're Americans, and we enjoy great freedom. Part of that freedom is the freedom from your obligation to be informed. If you're not interested, that's your choice. Enjoy your life. But don't wreck it for the rest of us who care with your clueless vote. If you don't know, don't bother.
Why am I writing about voting in early January, 2005? Because this thought had been nagging me, and then when I learned that Richard Gere apparently speaks for me, I thought it was time. In case you haven't heard, Richard Gere is appearing in TV ads advocating voter turnout in this Sunday's Palestinian elections by saying "I'm Richard Gere and I'm speaking for the entire world. We’re with you during this election time. It’s really important: Get out and vote.” Of course, he's also standing with two individuals who advocate the destruction of Israel and Jews. Truly democratic beliefs. Beyond the sheer arrogance of the fact that Dick Gere does NOT speak on my behalf, I'd like to focus on his last sentence "Get out and vote".
How many people think we live in a pure democracy? If you do, your civics knowledge is incorrect. We live in a Representative Republic. A pure democracy would be the people directly make the governing decisions. We instead elect officials to local and federal government to make the decisions for us in theory based upon what the majority of the constituents desire.
Every time there is an election, there's always various events and people trying to get as many people as possible to go vote. For example, MTV has 'Rock the Vote', and Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Sean Colmbs, or whatever he's decided to call himself on this given day, had 'Vote or Die', supported by other celebrities such as Paris Hilton. Catchy, huh? (Ironically, they didn't bother to vote in the last election, so does that mean they should die? Well, hopefully their careers will).
Ever heard the expression 'Driving is a privilege, not a right?' Well, voting is a right, but not an obligation. I'm tired of hearing about these efforts to increase voter turnout, and then the expected newscasts afterward saying voter turnout was low once again. So what? I think it's better that way. Why? Simple. If someone doesn't know what he's voting for, or has no interest in what's going on, stay away. All your vote can do is muck up the process. The true obligation in our society is to be informed, and then to make an intelligent decision on whom to vote for, based upon what information you have gathered. We're Americans, and we enjoy great freedom. Part of that freedom is the freedom from your obligation to be informed. If you're not interested, that's your choice. Enjoy your life. But don't wreck it for the rest of us who care with your clueless vote. If you don't know, don't bother.
posted by One Man's Thoughts at 11:45 PM
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