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evidently i have strong feelings about voting
This is an angry rant driven by the internet. Don't take it personally. Dealing with media/politics on a daily basis at work has lowered my anger threshold at both aforementioned topics, but also people who don't (can and won't) vote. General "you", usual exceptions and disclaimers apply, etc.
You better not bitch about everything wrong with your government and not even fucking vote. The system's broken but you can't change it if you refuse to participate. To say nothing of the fact that you abstaining doesn't absolve you of the impact your not voting has on the people around you. Just because you can't bear to vote doesn't mean I don't bear the burden of shitty laws enacted because, instead of your vote, someone else cast one for the party/candidate who wants to restrict birth control/deny food stamps/fuck over the infrastructure/disbelieve in science/(insert issue here).
We may be voting for the lesser of two evils, but guess what? That means less evil. What are you going to change by remaining morally superior while the rest of us suffer from the direct impact of people who do vote? This is why voter turnout is critical, even if your choices are shit. I can wish we had a parliamentarian system or no electoral college or non-polarized multi-party platforms that weren't all right of center, but what is my wishing going to accomplish in reality? Your vote still matters.
Especially in local and state elections, even if you're cynical about federal ones.
Other things matter too. Voting is not the end all, be all, obviously. Activism and change takes many forms. But voting is a basic fucking principle and right in our so-called democracy, and it matters.
On a related issue, but less of rant, if you find voting overwhelming, there are lots of resources to help you pick your issues/party/candidate, and one of the easiest is isidewith.com. Vote411.org gives a lot of practical info on when and where. And we live in an age where information is thankfully much more easily accessible than before, and familiarizing yourself with the ballot initiatives in your state/county is not as difficult or tedious. Google is your friend. So are endorsements! Are the state's teacher unions backing a particular candidate? Do you generally believe in and support teachers? That candidate may be the right one for you.
And if nothing else, you don't have to vote on every single issue. You don't have to check a box for every position on the ballot. But it's still better to show up and vote for some than to refuse participation wholesale.
VOTE TOMORROW, USA. Vote411.org for info on your polling place.
(This work week is going to be hell.)
You better not bitch about everything wrong with your government and not even fucking vote. The system's broken but you can't change it if you refuse to participate. To say nothing of the fact that you abstaining doesn't absolve you of the impact your not voting has on the people around you. Just because you can't bear to vote doesn't mean I don't bear the burden of shitty laws enacted because, instead of your vote, someone else cast one for the party/candidate who wants to restrict birth control/deny food stamps/fuck over the infrastructure/disbelieve in science/(insert issue here).
We may be voting for the lesser of two evils, but guess what? That means less evil. What are you going to change by remaining morally superior while the rest of us suffer from the direct impact of people who do vote? This is why voter turnout is critical, even if your choices are shit. I can wish we had a parliamentarian system or no electoral college or non-polarized multi-party platforms that weren't all right of center, but what is my wishing going to accomplish in reality? Your vote still matters.
Especially in local and state elections, even if you're cynical about federal ones.
Other things matter too. Voting is not the end all, be all, obviously. Activism and change takes many forms. But voting is a basic fucking principle and right in our so-called democracy, and it matters.
On a related issue, but less of rant, if you find voting overwhelming, there are lots of resources to help you pick your issues/party/candidate, and one of the easiest is isidewith.com. Vote411.org gives a lot of practical info on when and where. And we live in an age where information is thankfully much more easily accessible than before, and familiarizing yourself with the ballot initiatives in your state/county is not as difficult or tedious. Google is your friend. So are endorsements! Are the state's teacher unions backing a particular candidate? Do you generally believe in and support teachers? That candidate may be the right one for you.
And if nothing else, you don't have to vote on every single issue. You don't have to check a box for every position on the ballot. But it's still better to show up and vote for some than to refuse participation wholesale.
VOTE TOMORROW, USA. Vote411.org for info on your polling place.
(This work week is going to be hell.)
NO MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR, MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!
(also it totally does matter who you vote for so please stop voting stupid, world. :\)
RE: NO MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR, MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!
We fucked up America.
SIGH.