*sigh* Didn't we already go through this a couple weeks back...Quite frankly it pisses me off that I have to read another one of these comments. Look, voting is about choice. And people have every right to exercise that choice even if that means NOT voting. For many people not voting is a form of political protest. Each time there is an election, including local elections and special elections, I go vote...And although I have been voting ever since I was eligible, I certainly will stand up for another person's choice to A) vote for whoever they want and B) choose NOT to vote for whatever reason they want.

My roomate, who is also very political and is one of those people you would expect to see at an anti-war rally or a labor-union rally, chooses NOT to vote as a form of political protest. It's his CHOICE whether or not to vote, and his CHOICE is just as valid as my choice to vote for whatever candidate I decide. Frankly, I'm offended that anyone, especially people who purport to defend choice, would look down on my roomate's or anyone else's choice not to vote...you're comment that assumes those people who choose not to vote for whatever reason are just "too privileged" or "just don't care" is offensive and ignorant. Perhaps you should really think about all the reasons that MANY people in this country choose NOT to vote; whether it be in solidarity with a non-citizen friend or family member who despite having lived here since they were a baby/young child has still been denied citizenship and thus the right to vote, or to protest the use of unreliable electronic voting machines (of which in many states unreliable voting machines are the ONLY option), or to protest the constant marginalization of certain groups by our own government that of which many, despite what you think, feel that America is not a true democracy...I see many reasons why MANY people would CHOOSE not to vote...And it certainly isn't because they are "too privileged" or "just don't care". Sure, there are many who are apathetic, but there are many who also have LEGITIMATE REASONS for CHOOSING not to vote.

But perhaps it's your own privilege that has kept you from understanding why many people feel this country has not been a true democracy to them or their loved ones...And in case you haven't noticed how complicit our government has been in the marginalization of certain communities (my roommate is targeted frequently for "suspicion of being a Muslim", as if being non-white is a crime in this country) than perhaps you should go talk to some of these people who choose not to vote and you might learn something about their reasons. My roommate could give you a whole dissertation on his choice not to vote as a form of political protest, and no where in that dissertation would you hear the word "I just don't care".

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but I just can't believe the ignorance in your comment with the assumption that people who choose not to vote are either "too privileged" or "just don't care"... especially after already having this conversation here weeks ago.

And I will also be voting affirmatively for Cynthia McKinney because I am vehemently anti-war (Obama is still saying he is going to continue the war in Afghanistan, [...and the "war on drugs"]) and she would also protect a women's right to choice, even in cases of late-term abortions (see Obama's comments on late-term abortion) I have other reasons as well, but I don't need to list them all here. I realize that many people feel that voting for a third party is a "wasted vote" but hey, that's my choice.

One other thing I forgot, this comment is also ignores a couple of facts:
"If my father, the businessman, the "redneck," the guy who NEVER votes, can take the time to cast his ballot, then so can you. "

Have you seen the lines in some of the early voting places? By all accounts there are going to be long lines Nov. 4 as well...and not everyone has the time, as you say they supposedly do, to stand in line for hours to vote. For some people they simply can't afford the time off from work or they will loose their jobs, for others they can't afford to loose 6 hours of pay, for the disabled or elderly standing in line for hours is simply out of the question. This is a HUGE problem because it's preventing people who, otherwise want to vote, from being able to cast their vote. As usual Rachel Maddow has a good run down on this problem. It's an obvious voter suppression tactic, and I'm willing to bet 100% that it's happening in the more democratic communities, in poorer communities, and in non-white communities...Maddow calls it a "poll tax" and that's exactly what it is. Obviously it's very troubling, but again your comment shows a lack of understanding. I don't mean to be harsh on you, but I just want to point out the blatant disregard for the fact that NOT EVERYONE can AFFORD to stand in these long lines. It's a HUGE problem, and it needs to be fixed.

Watch the video here

If you hate/fear both candidates, you shouldn't vote for either.

I voted just for the local and state provisions.

I don't hate or fear any of the candidates, I didn't mean for it to sound that way...although I have to admit I do worry about a McCain presidency. I do like Obama very much, and I'm hoping he'll be the next president. I've just always been a registered independent, and am a strong believer that we need to have other parties involved aside from "democrats" and "republicans" always being in charge. And aside from some positions that I feel very strongly about such as we need an end to ALL wars (including Afghanistan and the "drug war") I feel there is a candidate out there that is much better in line with my beliefs. That said, I'm confident that Obama will win (knock on wood) and I also think that he's experienced enough and intelligent enough that he will make a very good president. I'll do a little dance once Bush and his ideals (aka republicanism/conservatism) is given a nice big "good riddance" by a landslide tomorrow.

Qwerty, usually people that I know who don't care for either presidential candidate aren't big on being informed about local politics, either. At least in my experience, in my area.
I have a decent number of friends who just don't register to vote, and although it's frustrating, I see it as their choice.

Not voting, when you have the opportunity and the right to do so, is not a statement. Staying home because you are dissatisfied with the choices, because you don't want to wait in line, because you disagree with the whole system, for any reason at all, not going to the polls gives the same signal as apathy. It will not get you representation you will like any better. In a stable, established republic like the USA, it is not a form of political protest that will garner results, and all you can do is deliberately silence yourself.

And once you have deliberately silenced yourself, nobody is going to listen to you. Why would they, when they can ignore you while you sit on the sidelines? Not voting in solidarity with non-citizens or felons will not change anything. Not voting to protest electronic voting machines is not going to keep them from being used. Staying home to protest the long lines or the inconveniences or inaccessibilities means that that many more people are effectively disenfranchised and not heard. Not voting because voting is ineffectual in bringing about change is waiting for something that will never come. Not voting because neither candidate is perfect will affect nothing until you, yourself, run for office, because nobody will ever agree with you on everything. Staying home because you don't understand the issues through lack of time, or because you don't know the candidates' positions, can only show that you haven't even passed by a newspaper headline in months; Obama has been on the View and McCain has been on Letterman and if none of your friends are spam-emailing you with long lists of reasons, you're luckier than most people I know. Not voting because you don't care is only because you don't know any better. Not voting because you are only one voice in a chorus of millions still removes the power of your voice from that chorus; every vote counts, every vote is the deciding vote, and we need every one. When you have the right and the opportunity to vote but do not, and particularly when you trumpet that you will not be voting, you allow those who win the election to do whatever they want with the vast resources that will be at their disposal, with zero oversight from you. Not voting because of the divisiveness and un-neighborliness it can cause mocks democracy. Not voting because by voting, you would be participating in and thus validating an immoral system perpetuates that very system - vote for the Socialist candidate to change the system, vote for the Green party candidate to shout your priorities, vote for Christ or for Gloria Steinem or for Rachel Maddow if you want; we have a write-in line - but by not showing up at the polls, you remove yourself from the entire conversation and insulate it against you.

Not voting because it's "the bludgeoning of the people, by the people, for the people," well, it's still the best system we've got, so if you cannot support this but persist in thinking that something better will come along, i would love to hear when and how and why you think that change will happen - will it be something other than incremental and from-within? Will there be a revolution? Will the government one day just up and decide to go home, if nobody is telling it to? No. When someone is doing something immoral, how is it not better to say No than to not respond? Not voting because it dilutes responsibility for the atrocities our government commits does not abjure your responsibility, but affirms your complacence.

The way votes are counted, Party A got X%, and Party B got X%, of the counted polls. To not vote for either (and to avoid "the lesser of two evils"), go to the polls, vote on your local elections (they're important too, and can have more impact on electronic polling machines, long lines at polling locations, and other forms of disinfranchisement, as well as all the other local issues and lower-level politicians, and there are many that could use your input!) and leave the Presidential box and/or any others blank, or write in a name of your choice (for example, Cynthia McKinney). By doing this, you show that you care about and are active in the political sphere, but do not approve of any candidate; avoiding the vote altogether shows none of these things.

And while I would vastly prefer it if Obama won by a historic, crushing landslide, if that is really and truly not the will of the American people, then so be it. I will still be glad to be a citizen. (I think. I hope.)

Work for change, if you want. Talk to your neighbors, to your communities. Speak out at City Council meetings. Write your representatives, even if every word condemns the whole system. There are many additional ways to make yourself heard. But going to the polls must (in this American system, when one has the right and the opportunity to do so) be the first and most basic step.

"Not voting, when you have the opportunity and the right to do so, is not a statement...not going to the polls gives the same signal as apathy."

And I'll say it all again. This is your OPINION. This is YOUR reason for choosing to vote. Hate to break it to you but NOT EVERYONE SHARES YOUR OPINION. I'll exercise my own right to vote, I'll defend others who choose to vote, and I'll equally defend those people who choose NOT to vote for whatever reason they decide. To others, not voting sends a message to the public and to our government, and especially when a full third of our population doesn't vote, it means that there's a problem. It means that the rest of us need to pay attention to THE REASONS WHY a full third of the population feels disenfranchised by our government (or for whatever other reason they choose not to vote). Even in this election, there will still be millions of eligible people who, for whatever reason, don't vote. It may be your OPINION that you think all these people are either just "too lazy" or "don't care", but again perhaps it's your own privilege that is keeping you from seeing the reasons behind why these people would not vote.

"Staying home because you don't understand the issues through lack of time, or because you don't know the candidates' positions, can only show that you haven't even passed by a newspaper headline in months;"

Again, nice way to make a blanket assumption about all people who don't vote: That they are all just "too dumb" or "too lazy" or "just don't care".

"vote for the Socialist candidate to change the system, vote for the Green party candidate to shout your priorities, vote for Christ or for Gloria Steinem or for Rachel Maddow if you want;"

Again, hate to break it to you, but you don't seem to realize that many people out there don't share your enthusiastic "Gee, I can vote for whoever I want and 'change the system'" attitude...Sorry, for some it doesn't work that way. Perhaps you personally feel empowered by the government, but not everyone else out there does.

"Once you have deliberately silenced yourself, nobody is going to listen to you."

Take a look at history and think of all the social changes that we have had that DIDN'T occur through voting. Before women could vote they made their voices heard through protest, speaking out and through community organization, and it's how suffrage was won in the first place. Same thing with civil rights; it was protest and civil disobedience...as well as changes in attitude about women & gender, HIV, the environment, etc. all happened not because of a presidential or congressional election, but because people organized and decided to create awareness about these issues. There's plenty of ways to "get your voice heard" that doesn't require voting and many people feel that these tactics are more effective...I don't agree with any of the people here who are making blanket assumptions that non-voters are just "too dumb" or "too lazy"...I know many people that don't vote who are active in areas they are passionate about, they involve themselves with community organizing, activism, local schools and education, protesting, writing letters, talking with others, etc. etc. Social change just doesn't involve "voting" it can mean helping to change attitudes about a particular issue. It can mean creating local change by providing services and assistance to those who need it. It can mean creating awareness on a certain issue. Change can mean many different things and it's certainly not restricted to voting. You may feel these people are "silencing themselves" but like I said NOT EVERYONE SHARES YOUR OPINION. They feel like they are making the right choice and I will certainly defend their right to do that.

"Not voting in solidarity with non-citizens or felons will not change anything...Not voting because it dilutes responsibility for the atrocities our government commits does not abjure your responsibility, but affirms your complacence."

And that's your OPINION...and not everyone THINKS LIKE YOU DO. What gives you the right to assume that all these people are just "too lazy" or "just don't care"?

Give all the reasons you want for thinking poorly of those who don't vote; the poor, women, the disenfranchised, ex-felons, immigrants, whoever...But, if you look historically at where voter turnout is lower you will see a pattern, and it's certainly not because these people are "too lazy" "too dumb" or "just don't care" enough to vote. It just shows your own lack of understanding and a terrible assumption on your part that you expect everyone else out there to THINK LIKE YOU DO and ACT LIKE YOU DO, without bothering to understand the ACTUAL REASONS behind why some people would not vote, whether it be that they don't feel the government is a true democracy to them, or whether they are making a statement...

Perhaps instead of looking down your nose at those who don't vote and calling them "ignorant" and "lazy", it may do you some good to try and UNDERSTAND some of the reasons. Instead of saying that the problem is with those who don't vote, it seems to me that the onus should be on the rest of us voters and on our government.

I went to vote this morning, but I'll certainly defend any one else's choice to NOT vote for whatever reason if they so choose...I think it's good to encourage as many people as possible to vote, but in no way should we be forcing people to vote nor should we be "looking down" on those people who don't vote. Everyone has a choice in the matter, and I think that whatever choice another person makes is just as LEGITIMATE as mine, even if that includes not voting. I'm certainly not going to look down on them and assume that they are all just too "ignorant" too "lazy" or "just don't care"...Frankly, it's disturbing to me that other people here are.

I agree completely with this excellent, excellent post.

You can dress up your reasons for not voting however you like. You're apathetic, and no matter how much you bleat on about whatever you bleat on about in these novels you write trying to justify your decision, you are.

Oh, and meen, you're starting to remind me of the Big Lebowski.

"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man"

Are you a born human, and cognizant enough to make legal decisions?

Then your right to make decisions for yourself should be respected, particularly as they pertain to quality of life or end of life issues.

During my rotation at a women and children's hospital, I learned of a 12 year old girl with cancer who did not want her leg to be amputated as her doctor and parents recommended, in an effort to save her life. I never learned the outcome, but if a 12 year old girl would rather experience pain and fight her cancer (or even die) rather than go through life living without a leg, it should be her informed choice. Let her alternatives and feelings be discussed (she may find e.g., her peers are more supportive than she initially thought), but the final decision should be hers.

My father died of an inoperable tumor. He decided to try to be one of the 3% of five year survivors, and fought beyond what his doctor expected. Physically, emotionally, and financially, he and my mother paid the price. Finally, he bled to death when the tissue ruptured beyond repair. He died in the bland surroundings of an ICU, with concerned medical staff and my mother at his side.

Seeing this experience, his mother (my grandmother) decided to stay at home and die when she developed the same kind of cancer that same year. She was doped up on morphine to a near coma for her pain, and probably died of respiratory depression when the increasing dosage went too high. She died in comfortable surroundings a few months later with loved ones nearby. No one in our family questioned that decision, either, nor did anyone consider it a killing.

If you want to make sure your rights and wishes are respected regarding health care and end of life, I suggest people look into preparing a living will, or even something as simple and direct as a "do not resuscitate" form to be prepared BEFORE you need it. At the very least, let people around you know (like my mother did) if you do not want to live on a machine or have people pounding on your chest to prolong your life. After you develop Parkinson's or have a stroke and are lying in bed unable to move, feed yourself, or communicate, for the next 40 years is too late to decide you want to live or die differently. It is my good fortune to currently be working with no one with such regrets, because it is hard to listen to someone talk about wanting to die or requesting cyanide or a gun to kill themselves, on a near daily basis. Ironically, this man surprised staff by simply dying in the middle of a conversation one day.

Some oversight is needed to prevent exploitation or manipulation in euthanasia or assisted suicide. Only the patient or their designated representative should make those decisions. I've heard some bad things coming out of one country that does have legalized euthanasia, such as overeager physicians or family who consider their loved one a burden.

meeneecat:
We are not as opposed as you might think. I get every single thing you are saying. I myself am a pacifist, and think it is great that you voted for McKinney.

I guess I'm just one of those people that's so terrified of McCain/Palin that its difficult for me to see why someone wouldn't vote in such a crucial election. So far I haven't heard any good reasons from non-voters. In no way would I attack someone like your roommate, more power to 'em. But those aren't the people I am most frustrated with.

Oh, and maybe privilege wasn't the right word. I forgot, in my frustration, how easily it can offend. We should all be less quick to point the privilege finger, no?