"There's really no point in voting. If it made any difference, it would probably be illegal."
and
"Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule – and both commonly succeed, and are right."
Aw hell, I think 99% of pols are carpetbagging fucks, so I guess I agree.
ReplyDeleteBut I voted anyway...gives me permission to bitch. Those who don't vote can not complain.
Dusty, I voted, too, but I have a question for you:
ReplyDeleteWhy do you need permission to bitch? Why must you validate a system, participate in it to be able to complain? Who is the arbiter of the slogan, when the game has been rigged and most people, like you, know it?
"Boss" Tweed, himself spolled the beans when he came out for pretty much universal sufferage and was called on it. I mean, negroes. women voting? Chinamen, even? (The man must have been crazed, they said)
But, he reassured them, saying that as long as he (or someone like him) controlled the nominations and ballot, all would be well.
Most of the peole I know, who don't go to the polls, are in fact, voting. None Of The Above". Most of them are more concerned and even knowledgable about the "republic", the "demos" (people), and democracy than those who style themselves "democrats" or "republicans".
When you get the slogan that comes after, "if you don't vote, you can't complain", you know, when you say that if you took each party, put it in a sack, shook it, and emptied it, the first out would be crooked, me-firster, lying sociopaths every time, you get Slogan II:
"We Have A Two Party System". Usually said with mild exasperation, a lift to the chin, and a look into the distance.
What's this "we" business? They must be carrying turds in their pockets, because it doesn't include me, or many others.
Just seems that for years 'The Parties' have been offering us choices between a rabbit punch or a kick in the kidney. And if you don't vote, don't complain when you get nailed. Keep doing it, maybe one of 'The Parties' will offer something new, like a kick in the groin, instead. How 'bout that for progressive thinking?
Sorry, Dusty, just one tired old man's opinion. And we all know, opinions are like assholes, almost everyone has one, most of them stink, and it's probably not a good idea to expose them to public view. ;->
Dude, I am a tired old woman. I protested the Vietnam war, so that gives you an idea of my age.
ReplyDeleteI think American's should be required to vote, it's sort of an axe I grind every election. We had a lot of propositions here in Cali, and when no means yes on something, it's written in a sneaky way, at least to me.
I'm torn on the issue of requiring Americans to vote. On one hand, it seems like a good way to enforce citizen participation, but on the other, it takes away the individuals freedom to abstain from the ballot as a form of protest.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, with the shallow reasons many people cast a ballot, I'd rather far, far less of them did so.....leaving only the politically informed to decide elections.