Why vote?
Lots of people in the Western and Eastern Democracies do not exercise their right to vote when asked to. Why? The responses and causes remain uncertain, when people are asked, they will say they don’t have the time to cast an informed vote, the issues are too complicated, and the time required away from things like jobs and minding the children, etc is too great.
I think it’s mostly because they are too lazy to take the time to consider what a vote means.
Voting means that you are an actual participant in your society; that you care about how that society makes decisions; and more importantly, that you want to have a say in who represents you.
At the end of the day, consider a lifelong political activists words, whether you agree with the voice or not:
“If you are part of a society that votes, then do so. There may be no candidates and no measures you want to vote for … but there are certain to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule you will rarely go wrong. If this is too blind for your taste, consult some well-meaning fool (there is always one around) and ask his advice. Then vote the other way. This enables you to be a good citizen (if such is your wish) without spending the enormous amount of time on it that a truly intelligent exercise of franchise requires.”
1978 - from Notebooks of Lazarus Long, Robert Anson Heinlein
Support the right to vote by exercising the right to vote. If we get too apathetic, the pols (at least in the US) will just keep dragging us down the slippery slope of mommy law, and eventually we may not have the right to vote.
Check out the Project Vote Smart a nonpartisan US citizen education foundation in the United states. For folks in other countries, try to find non-partisan information by using “nonpartisan voter information” in your localized search engine.
Bbrraaaiiiinnzzz!
ARE YOU A ZOMBIE?
Are you one of the politically challenged?
- Can you identify the last 3 Presidents of the United States ( or the head of state for the country in which you live)?
- Can you name at least one decision by your topmost legal body, in the US it’s the Supreme Court?
- Do you know how to vote (are there rules about how you get to exercise your right, is it prove you are a citizen, resident, pre-register)?
- Did you vote in your last election if you were able to (being old enough, resident, citizen)?
- Can you engage in a reasonable discussion, without resorting to fallacious arguments, or shouting, about issues that concern you?
If you can say yes to at least 3 of the above questions, consider yourself a political lightweight, if 4 is the number, a political middleweight, and all 5 means you can be considered a candidate (just kidding).
If you cannot answer even one, consider watching or re-watching Shaun of the Dead, and enjoying the role of bitten/infected. If you would prefer to take up violence against those who argue with you, consider professional help, or immigrating to a country that has similar attitudes, Syria, Iran, Afganistan all seem to have many folks like that, Northern Ireland as well, but they seem to be getting better, and forget South Africa, they’ve beaten that plague and seem to be very healthy these days.
Most people will end up using the dictionary to look up the word fallacious, and most politicians will employ them where ever they seem to provide the most advantage for them. However, being able to spot when they are used is helpful in making informed decisions about who you should vote for, or against.
If you are not a zombie, or worse, a victim of maninquinism run rampant, congratulations, and thank you. It is hard work to maintain a sense of integrity, participation and rationality in these times.
propagate the meme!
bonafide
