Why Don't They Vote?

I respect what that second woman [did they give her name? the single mother?] has to say.
She's not educated on the people running, so why should she?
I agree with that. I think there are a lot of people who don't even educate themselves- they jump on bandwagons- oh Obama is great! [not saying he isn't], so they root for him. Or they figure their friends are democrats or republicans, and just vote for a party- not for ACTUAL ISSUES.
Sure we should all exercise our right to vote, but then again- i'd rather not have a bunch of people who have no clue what they're voting for, vote.
Young people are supposed to be voting in droves this year- yet in Texas [in the primary earlier this week]- only 16% were under the age of 30.
Really makes us look good. Makes us look like we're all "talk" no "action".
How many people actually picked up the voter guide, read it, or visited websites or did any research on certain politician's voting habits and history- I don't know anyone that does that. Although I can say I did that myself, and i've done it every time i've voted.

people are full of excuses. the one guy is correct in saying that many people sacrificed a LOT for our ability to vote. especially as a minority. value that and know that we have the internet to do quick research.

think about this:
you're given the date to vote months and months in advance. write it on your calendar.

take the opportunity to vote early or via mail with an absentee ballot.

no time to research/read up on candidates?
you have to have some interest in an organization that shares your interests- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), The National Organization for Women (NOW), Green Party, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), etc. Each of these organizations takes the laziness out of research and will often provide you with a sheet to print out and take with you to the polls. One click on Google and you're done.

Don't forget, it's not just the major candidates that need your vote in order to attempt change. Respect those that made this possible for you. Try harder.

PLEASE REGISTER AND VOTE.

AS IF YOUR FUTURE DEPENDED ON IT.

IT DOES.

I think for the most part these people are ridiculous... I mean I get it we have lives and sometime they become hectic.. But you live in the USA ok first and foremost a country that actually entitles you to your own opinion how can you not use it especially considering whats happened these past 2 elections.. Our Economy is crap the US dollar is no longer the dominant currency and we have disaster right here at home but do to the fact that so many people didn't educate themselves about candidates and just voted however or didn't vote at all we are in the situation that this nation faces right and the outlook is cloudy. I thought some of the points were good how the one girl said she felt people create change not politicians; my question to her " what do you think the purpose of voting is for"
if we left things up to just anybody who knows the result you could get. So even if your picking the lesser of two evils its important to pick one none the less if not it can completely mess up your future down the road ... examples medicare, social security, job stability.. GROW UP PEOPLE!!!!! VOTE ITS THE ONLY VOICE YOU GET WHEN IT COMES TO THE DECISIONS MADE FOR THE US. ONCE SOMEONES IN OFFICE THE DAMAGE IS HARD TO REVERSE AND TAKES FOREVER SO EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. ( on that note it would be nice if the government made it easier for people to get the info not everyone has internet or time to watch debates, we need to get the info out there easier and quicker then its all up to the american people) ... One more random thought if you will... It seemed like everyone on this video just had excuses for not voting and when the guy said it made him feel a little guilty sometimes well he should because hes right a lot of people have struggled just to be heard and now you show your respect with silence... if people don't change and politics don't change... goodbye US power house say Hi to China or whoever else decides to take a seat at the throne... and one more sorry, the guy who liked Nader then wouldn't vote because he didn't think Nader would win well A.) No wonder he doesn't because all his voters pry think that and B.) I bet Ralph Nader still went out on Election day and voted for someone use your brain people its not that hard ... someone likes the things you like and gives you a good vibe that simple!!!! Use your brains stuff like this kills me especially when I hear older people talk that way you by now should know better!!!

What's the point of voting in the presidential election, when its the electoral college that actually elects our president?

See: the year 2000
Gore received the most popular votes
Bush received the most electoral votes

I don't ever try to encourage people to vote anymore. I badgered one woman to vote years ago. She registered Republican. I just hope she went back to not voting after I moved. Leave them alone. If they are smart enough to vote they would.

People are too involved in their own lives and with themselves. They fail to see that they live in this country and other people are deciding what happens within that country for them. For the most part, people who don't vote, won't vote unless there is an issue directly related to them. Oh wait, but doesn't the economy affect them? The price of gas, the decline of the US dollar, the fall of the housing market, carbon emissions, the war, aren't we all affected by these issues?

If you don't know, take the time to educate yourself. You can make a difference with your vote.
And like 1Eco_Media said, your future depends on it.

You have the RIGHT to vote - If you don't - Then you don't have the RIGHT to complain when you don't like how things turn out!!!!!!!!

I didnt vote in Ohio in the last primary election becuase in order to do that, by state law, I would have to register with a party.

Sometimes NOT VOTING has an effect as well--and not being registered with one of those INTEREST GROUPS called the Democrats or Republicans provides me the foundation for making further arguments and doing further work in support of breaking the two party duopoly on government in this country.

I will probably vote for one of the BIG TWO in the general election and it SUCKS that I had no personal role in picking who that might be--but there are many reasons why some people dont vote even though they have the right to.

I think it makes a strong statement when half of the country does not turnout to vote--and then the leadership, at best these days has something like %25 of the country behind them. In the case of President Bush in 2004--THATS apparently what he calls political capitol-we know how that turned out.

in brazil (and maybe other countries, not sure) it is mandatory to vote. in fact, you are penalized if you don't. this forces people to educate themselves on the issues. people are much more interested and informed about politics, even those with little formal education. yes, brazil suffers from a lot of corruption. but generally people agree that the winner won by a majority. (they're amused that we in the 'first world' have so many problems with electronic voting.)

i wonder if we had that law if it would be worse or better? would ignorants come out and vote based on superficial reasons? or would people stop making excuses about being uninformed?

The comment made by dbeckmann was this....

I think it makes a strong statement when half of the country does not turnout to vote....

My observation is this....

YES IT DOES. A GREAT AMERICAN LEADER IS HERE ON TV & THIS SITE INSTEAD OF LEADING THIS NATION.

Any progressive independent that thinks he is a better leader than AL GORE can step up any day and I will be ready to support them. Otherwise I will support whoever might at least address meaningful change and who can WIN.

There are no perfect people. There are no perfect leaders. THERE IS ONLY WE THE PEOPLE.

THAT INCLUDES EVERY AMERICAN. IF YOU WISH TO SEE IT AS THE LESS OF TWO EVILS SO BE IT.

I on the other hand see AL GORE as a great American Leader. LOST TO US BECAUSE INDEPENDENTS DIDN"T CARE ENOUGH TO VOTE.

In my view that is the statement those who did not vote made. A VERY POOR ONE INDEED.

OBAMA is not perfect, however he is attempting to speak to the issues of the PEOPLE.

these people aren't all totally ridiculous, but the single mother seems particularly clueless. if u have a child i cannot even begin 2 comprehend how she isn't interested in taking part in shaping the world that her child will grow up in...having said that i'd just like 2 say that i too realize that voting in our system is almost completely pointless, but because its sooooooooooo easy 2 do i have never missed an election (except a primary or 2) since i turned 18.

these people make it seem like the act of voting is a difficult process & seem 2 think that the people that actually do participate are all well informed when they step inside the booth. being ignorant doesn't seem 2 stop any of the people in the red states that constantly vote against their own interests from exercising their civic responsibility.

if u know that u're clueless its unbelievably easy 2 get information about what's really happening. if anything it appears 2 take much more effort 2 not pay attention & wallow in your own ignorance avoiding the news, the paper, & engaging in intelligent conversations with thoughtful people.

u might as well vote. even if its for a 3rd party candidate because they need all the votes they can get so that 1 day they may actually get a chance be taken seriously.

Leaving the Fox to Guard the Hen House
An Open Letter about Why We Should Vote

By David Reed

The best way to survive and get ahead in America is to be a con•scious, independent political thinker. While I have always been passionate about politics and social justice, I have not tried to preach or prod people to take a particular political position or understand the process. So, this letter is about how I think we can change the direction of our society right now. Life is all about the future. I believe we live not just for our own sake, but to do what we can to make life better for the next generation.

Somehow in government, for too long we have left the fox to guard the hen house. It's an old saying, simply said it means putting the wrong people in charge. Who we choose to make decisions for us in government determines what kind of life we will have in the future. That is what politics is all about. You would never hire a thief to clean your house or a give an alcoholic keys to the liquor cabinet, well that is exactly what we do every Election Day when we allow self-serving people to gain political office. If we elect selfish inconsiderate people, we will get unjust laws and policy.

The reason life is so hard for so many in the richest country in the world is that a small group of white conservative men administer the wealth and resources of our country to enrich themselves and buy support. They spend our money to finance wars against people around the world because they refuse to cooperate and then withhold funds for social programs such as health care that benefit the poor and middle class in this country. They leave millions of Americans living in grinding poverty. They do it to us by keeping wages low and the level of fear and desperation high.

The best of our leaders encourage us to not be afraid and look to the future. The worst leaders discourage us by instilling fear. They use the government to keep prices high, collect taxes that finance and maintain a traditional “Terrorist Alert Level” and they manipulate the public through the media. We are always being told to be afraid of someone or something.

If we allow corrupt people whose interest conflict with the majority to gain office, we lose the momentum of progress. The only reason gasoline is now five dollars a gallon is that we allowed the election of two oil millionaires to the White House. They are at present looting Iraq and other countries of their wealth, particularly oil reserves and raising price across the board for basic needs in this country.

So, what else do we know? We know that things are not hopeless. People who live in undeveloped countries may have a right to feel some hopelessness, but we have options. We have power and resources we don’t use or realize.

We don’t need to claim blind optimism or superior wisdom to see that the system can be made to work without the negative influence of big money. In our system, money is used to buy off the competition and scare off public participation. But the one way to beat the system is with a powerful, unexpected challenge to the power of money by an overwhelming vote of the people on Election Day.

This time, through media and word of mouth, one person to the next, the public will know, the cameras will see and no amount of money or fraud will prevent an African American man or a woman from becoming President of the United States.

So, why not start now? This year, Election Day is Tuesday November 4, 2008. Until then, observe the game and plan your day around the time you need to get out and vote. If you’d like, apply for an absentee ballot and vote at home. On Wednesday November 5, 2008, we can all celebrate what will be a new beginning for the hope of our country and the world.

This isn't about excuses... this is about the problem with how this country operates and the size at which it operates. It really is a racket, and something (I believe) most people would prefer out of their lives despite the fact that it's necessary.

It may be a social responsibility but it has become such a complicated ordeal that it takes so much research and foresight, and still you'll never know the whole truth. Everybody is wrong about something and it's that cumulative error that turns people off to the whole process. Believing what you hear nowadays is like picking up something off the street and putting it in your mouth. You really don't know where it's been, who had it, or what they did to it. And if by chance it's not what you thought it was, you may be in trouble.

I am of the firm belief that democracy can work... in a small, homogeneous area, but not in the USA. At least not efficiently and without great corruption.

I refuse to vote, or even carry an opinion without all the facts simply out of (I admit it) fear of being wrong. Fear of being mislead. Look around, it happens a lot.

I was going to wax philosophic when I first started to comment- Mr. Reed was far more eloquent and thorough and pretty much impossible to follow. (Much respect and many thanks for saying what needed saying dreed411)

As for the folks who insist that those who do not vote have no "right" to gripe if they don't exercise their right to vote... I wholly disagree. I feel that if there are no candidates worthy of my vote, and if there are no candidates that are willing to work "for the people" instead of any self or special interest, then the only folks who don't vote have the "right" to bitch.

Honestly- when was the last time, including present, we as a country have had a true public servant leading our country? When was the last time anyone can recall shaking the hand of a candidate who was campaigning for office that didn't feel the slime and film of pandering rub off on their palm?

Dante said, "The innermost circles of hell are reserved for those who in a time of moral crisis maintain their neutrality." I ultimately have chosen to vote, and have always done so. I also chose to involve myself, and urge others to think and consider issues... especially when they have a direct impact on their lives as well as mine. Pragmatism and common interests are my methodology for approaching the subject. People who have been bludgeoned into apathy by the modern political pandemonium and futility of participation have to start coming around soon as the current administration has shown such blatant animosity towards us all and the constitution there are very few options left. You can only ignore something if it is a minor annoyance... once it becomes the 800 lb gorilla in the room, and I mean every room across this great country, you... I,..... no, We can no longer ignore it anymore and will have to do something about it...

... something as simple as go cast a vote on election day. Takes about 20 minutes. Oh, and a lifetime of diligence to maintain...We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed - Thomas Jefferson.

Neither party wants us looking over their shoulder or attempting to tell them how to do their job. A typical pol is delighted at the prospect of a low voter turnout because they don't have to do their job if we don't show up and vote, with the chance of a status quo losing the election.

An interesting idea is that if everybody voted it would take more then a day. The election laws are set up as sunup to sundown on election day. If we are only getting 35 or 40% of the people voting, it is not likely to ever change.

Aw hell.....fine them $50 if they don't vote.

On the other hand, 60,000,000 people voted for a baby killer and against a war hero in 2004, at a time when we were at war. I have been working for 0ver 20 years trying to increase voter turnout, and now I'm not too sure it turned out very good!

wow. great great video.
That girl who said that humanity is being lost in politics....she is brilliant, and I 1million% agree with her.
It's all lost.
I Love that there are more young people involved in politics now, but I just don't find myself as excited as they are. I have always been very politically inclined because I believe in humanity like that girl said, but it's just hard for me to be excited now. There's just so much negativity in our political system right now and I can't stand it. I was just telling a coworker that I might not vote this year because I want to be confident about who I'm goingn to vote for and I'm just not. There was one candidate that I was head over heels about and he's not even running for Pres anymore, he's back trying to keep himself in the Senate. But it's just so frustrating when these people who are supposed to be doing good and right things in the world just make us look like fools. Ugh.
It's all so frustrating.
I am not "hope"ful.

I voted for Mcgovern and he lost.....but it changed the plan because he ran. I voted for Mondale and he lost.....but it changed the plan because he ran. The Congressman from Ohio who has ran for president twice now, is changing the plan by him running. The Oligarchy needs to know that you and I are out here. So have heart , ssppeencceerr and keep voting for against the bad guys!

This is a representative democracy! People have to change the country through who you choose to represent you.

Well bd593........why do we have to sit and watch our country be diminished and just allow it to be destroyed? Lets set up a system, like other western countries have, and recall politicians that are not doing what we elected them to do and who are clearly not doing what they told us they were going to do. Lets have a "no confidence" election system. Maybe we won't have to use it. Maybe it will just have its intended effect of letting the scoundrels know we will recall them if they screwup.

What do you mean by education?

Do you know the million of people we have on the planet who are not 'formally educated'? Are we simply going to ignore them?

Don't they have anything to offer? Are they simply useless to our society?

By the way, are we sure with the current trend, we can get them all educated so that they can vote better or get interested in the voting system?

Ohh my world! Please visit this link http://current.com/items/88873575_democracy_society_and...

These people disgust me. What burns me is all these non-voters collectively, could have made a difference if they decided to stand for something 8 years ago.

It makes me sick because they seem relatively intelligent enough to make excuses as to why they don't vote. I'm too busy, it's too negative, I don't think it matters. I think a place like Cuba would suit you well, where your leader takes power, tells you what, where and who you're going to be in life. The truth is, you're willing to live off the blood, sweat and tears of those before you. It's just lazy and yes, someone else, like me, will do it for you.

I have no web site for you to read, just this to say:

There's no excuse for not voting. There's no excuse for not spending a little time educating yourself and deciding how you should vote.

We all have lives, kids, jobs, and relatives that are "disrupting our day".

It's easy (for a lazy person) to find an excuse for avoiding responsibilities... but in our country we have to get off our lazy butts and do something or nothing gets done.

Stop whining about life and take 10 minutes to do your duty before you lose the right to make your own choices at ALL.

You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem.... get it?

Stradius - bloody well right!

"You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem"

Vote, of course. Educate yourself so you know who you are voting for.

And yet, our system is broken.
The past few elections were overtly manipulated.
15 U.S. attorneys were replaced in states perceived as states that could be troublesome for the GOP in 2008. These people decide if vote fraud is prosecuted.
Should a properly elected candidate gain office will they then fulfill the promises that got them elected?

"Out of Iraq."
"Impeach Bush/Cheney."

Voting is not the end of someones response ability.

What is it about 60,000,000 people voted for a baby killer, instead of a war hero, even though those 60,000,000 people KNEW the baby killer also lied to get the war started. What is it about this, you don't understand?

I voted for Barry Goldwater. And in every election since then. Don't yell at ME for not voting!

I think the people in this pod cast are representative of younger voters, however their responses are not acceptable. Just because younger people do not feel politics are affecting them directly, that doesn't mean they shouldn't know what is going on. many of the issues will affect them later in life, and then they will be kicking themselves for not changing issues now. People should make time to vote, and be interested in what the issues are. This is much more important than prime time tv, or whatever else people do to not be informed.

these were some of the weakest reasons i've ever heard. they should have called this podcast 'lame ass people and they're poor excuses'

basically i see all these people as too lazy to give a shit. if you're too lazy to vote then you shouldn't have the right to complain about anything related to the way government runs the country. i'm sure they all have some sort of complaint about the way things (health care, energy cost, shrinking middle class, the war, etc..) are.