My question would be more aptly rephrased as: "Why vote at all?" But this, as well as the question as I've posed it, needs to be backed by reasons for its negativity. The extended version of my question would run somewhat like this. If the best candidate in an election is hampered by his or her party; if the best party is useless without a good candidate for leadership; and if, by some happy confluence, an ideal leader is backed by the best party, the legislative bodies will leave the leader hamstrung; what's the sense in voting at all?
Try voting for the best person for the job rather than voting for a party In our local (Borough) elections I voted for the Lib-Dem as she actually works for the local people and has a proven track record, in the London Mayors election I voted Conservative for the same reason and I will do the same at the next General election Take some time to study the candidates and what they stand for and just how servile they are to the party line and think about how that sits with you LOL
I based my question on a refrain commonly heard: "He's the best candidate, but unfortunately he belongs to the wrong party." There are many variations of this. There may be an Independent candidate who's the best person for the job; but who doesn't stand a chance of getting elected. There may be the party which has the best platform; but cannot come up with the right person to win the election. And it goes on. You say "take the time to study the candidates..." and all that. The only hope of getting to know a candidate well enough is in the local elections, as you've said. But these local politicians are at the mercy of the provincial or federal leaders. And so on up the ladder till you hit the final arbiter; the legislative body. Along the way, despite your study of the candidates and the issues, the person who wins is most likely the one who had the best smile and the best handshake, not to mention the hairstyle. Your educated vote was a sheer waste. The other responses as to electing the person least likely to do damage, or electing one to prevent a worse one from getting into power, is nothing but a case of "the lesser of the two evils." It is not any less cynical than my stand.
Why shoudnt a Indi candidate get voted in? it has happend here in the UK at all levels of politics Once people can see past the party system then any candidate has a chance Even on the center stage of Politics you can get to know your candidate, check his/her voting record see what they have done for the local constituancy, if they are willing to buck the party line if it is something that the electorate ask of them (and this happens) All I see in your post is defeatism and negativity why bother voting! If all voters think like you then the system will never change If you dont like the traditional party's and there is a Indi that you do like then get behind him and begin a campaign, use Facebook/Twitter etc give him/her all the free publicity you can, get activly involved Do not simply sit back and say well there is nothing I can do because in all honesty that is rubbish, I have a friend who is pushing a Latino Republican candidate for the Senate (Anthony Hernandez) at the moment and he has taken it to Facebook and the guy is getting support (ok he is affiliated to a party but the principle is the same) If you dislike all candidates then still cast your vote but make it null by writing/defacing the ballot paper (it is still counted (or at least it is in the UK) You say that my educated vote is a waste sorry but I disagree if I fail to vote that is a waste and there are those who would be only to happy to remove voting rights from the masses so use your vote or loose it
Hmmm....very interesting. I suppose if we ALL stopped voting on ANY level long enough no one would run for office. This would lead to smaller government. A teapartiers dream gone horribly wrong. They'd figure it out when our first Military Dictator took over for an unlimited term.
I think not voting by way too many people in this country is the problem. It has allowed the two-party system to throw out anybody they want without the crucial attention that should be paid to each candidate. The current crop of misfits on the Right couldn’t be screaming this reality more loudly. I would like to see a much more progress candidate on the Left but I am forced to settle for a corporate democrat like we have in the White House right now. The best case scenario is that nobody is happy. We clearly have a problem in this country and not voting is exactly the opposite of what is needed to solve this problem. Too many people with too little involvement in the political process.
I'd support mandatory voting for the U.S. At the very least I'd feel better knowing everyone actually voiced their opinion on who would be best to run the country. It would also weaken the two-party system we currently have, strengthening the Independent and other political parties chances.
I agree with it, obviously with exceptions like if you are in hospital etc or dead Here you can vote by mail or in person and they have even played with on-line voting (not too sure about that) so in reality there is no excuse not to use your ballot, as I have said I dont care if you make it null as long as it is used. Too many people complain about what is happening in political life, yet when you ask them did they vote many answer well whats the point!!
