Why you should vote

surely not voting should indicate a certain level of satisfaction with the way the country is being run? i.e. the govt isn't doing enough bad stuff to make you take action to change it?
 
bam0 said:
There are a lot of things you aren't free to do or not do in this country, these restrictions don't make it any less a free country. I think it is the duty of all citizens to vote, and I'd be fine with seeing an abstention option alongside compulsory voting. The freedom you have is the choice of who you want to run your country, not exercising that dishonours the memory of those who fought against tyranny and oppression (IMO).
Click to expand...
It's nice to think that people who fought for freedom and democracy were thinking of the year 2010. Truth is they probably weren't and did it for their own reasons.
 
bam0 said:
The freedom you have is the choice of who you want to run your country, not exercising that dishonours the memory of those who fought against tyranny and oppression (IMO).
Click to expand...

Yeah, alright mate, already dealt with this argument in several other posts, but go on sprouting it if you wish. I wonder what those brave souls would think of our government today - a government full of MPs who think it's fine to cream money off the expenses fund for their own purposes. I think they might choke a little bit.

And, for the record, I voted. But it doesn't mean I have any faith in the system.
 
Last edited:
Can we please keep this civil - I'd prefer this stayed open all day rather than be closed because of bickering.

If you want to bicker, go do it at a polling station ;)
 
BlastRadius said:
Unfortunately this thread is full of bigotry. Is anyone capable of absorbing the facts and forming their own opinion; without insulting someones family/beliefs because they are not agreed with?
Click to expand...

I don't know. Go ask that to the people that's been nagging the choices others made NOT to vote. I've yet to come across a post where the author laughs at people who voted, but bigotry towards those that chose not to, is rife.
 
reflux said:
Yeah, alright mate, already dealt with this argument in several other posts, but go on sprouting it if you wish. I wonder what those brave souls would think of our government today - a government full of MPs who think it's fine to cream money off the expenses fund for their own purposes. I think they might choke a little bit.
Click to expand...

I guess as long as people would vote under PR it's a plus.
 
Viper² said:
It's nice to think that people who fought for freedom and democracy were thinking of the year 2010. Truth is they probably weren't and did it for their own reasons.
Click to expand...

I would like to think they did it for future generations...but so what?

not voting can occur for many reasons. some of these reasons are not mutually exclusive with a lack of respect for the sacrifices made in the past on their behalf. likewise, it is entirely possible that those that do vote do it entirely selfishly, and could even have disrespect for those who they owe their liberty to. If I fought and died for freedom, I'd like to think it would mean freedom and not freedom unless other people think I'm being a bit rude...

even if not having respect and admiration for said sacrifices is morally wrong, it is not harming anyone and is therefore should not be subject to coercive law...
 
bam0 said:
I still think compulsory voting, vote or get fined, would be a pretty strong motivator. :)
Click to expand...

I've never agreed with this. Right or wrong, we have a choice.

From '97 I went through a stage of total apathy with politics, but this has changed and I voted in the last local elections and felt this election actually mattered enough to vote in. The trouble is, unlike the local elections, my vote in the general election will count for nowt. :(
 
what if you dont vote because you wholeheartedly disagree with the main parties and you know for certain that the fringe party you do agree with will not win the election?

just a question, not my actual position.
 
V4nger said:
what if you dont vote because you wholeheartedly disagree with the main parties and you know for certain that the fringe party you do agree with will not win the election?

just a question, not my actual position.
Click to expand...

Why deny the fringe party a vote? Maybe the encouragement will do some little bit of good to their campaign for next year?

Fringe parties and independents can do good as lobbyists for example - end even the existence of a small party sends a signal to the party/parties in power about what is concerning voters.
 
Why do we vote for people or party's when we should be able to vote and have a say on all issues great and small, i wish for a new form of government where every person has the ability to affect real change via an open source style web 2.0 site with information about everything, from where our money goes to whats happening and whats good or bad, how things may play out if we take some action, statistics, educational stuff, discussions, groups, petitions, votes, ideas put forward and real changes implemented, we can vote for the people running the system as well as every other detail we wish, taking real control of how the country is run, imagine that! :eek: :)
 
sara said:
Why deny the fringe party a vote? Maybe the encouragement will do some little bit of good to their campaign for next year?

Fringe parties and independents can do good as lobbyists for example - end even the existence of a small party sends a signal to the party/parties in power about what is concerning voters.
Click to expand...

I spose you're right. but what do i know about politics. i cant even vote yet :(
 
reflux said:
Yeah, alright mate, already dealt with this argument in several other posts, but go on sprouting it if you wish. I wonder what those brave souls would think of our government today - a government full of MPs who think it's fine to cream money off the expenses fund for their own purposes. I think they might choke a little bit.
Click to expand...
You're probably right, I imagine they would. I don't see how that relates to the issue of voting though. A sara says vote for a fringe party or independent, hell if you feel strongly enough about it start your own party. PR would give small parties an appropriate level of influence as they would not need a national x% of the vote for a seat rather than having to secure a whole constituency.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom