I can’t help but get a little political for a minute. I was discussing the primaries with a friend today. This individual was spending a bunch of time researching different candidates, peering deep into their websites and analyzing their plans and how they fit this person’s own beliefs, values, etc. The act, although commendable, is fruitless.
My main problem at that point in the conversation was the fact that we’re going to base decisions on information on a candidates website. Ideas are awesome. Everyone has them. Heck, anyone can have a plan too because, lets be honest, a plan is simply a bunch of ideas organized by priority and/or time. But to then trust this people and simply assume (or extrapolate) the notion that they’ll then execute these ideas… well, that’s just silly.
Too Busy
For starters, politicians have plenty of time to come up with ‘ideas’ and ‘plans’ before they’re elected. They don’t have too many responsibilities to take up their free time so they spend it brainstorming (and campaigning for a little bit, sure). While this may or may not be true I can picture a guy in a suit sitting at home doodling on his notepad with a picture of melting ice caps and a big fan trying to keep them cool. Then there are those in congress that run for re-election and win it something like 94% of the time. Incumbency is going to kill this country for one simple reason: these people are already politicians and don’t have time to sit around and doodle. Instead they have to go to meetings, lunches, and play golf with other politicians. The brainstorming process halts once you’re sworn in. If there’s no time for doodling do you believe for a second there’d be any room for ‘executing’ those ‘ideas’ from earlier? I rest my case…
Passionate Morons
Once in a blue moon you’ll find someone who really cares to do their job. The only problem being: they’re a freaking nut case. The only people who want to get out there and make changes are those who shouldn’t be allowed to make changes in the first place (or children for that matter). As Jon Stewart put it: the country ends up being run by extremeists because moderates have shit to do. Seriously, congress is full of old, incompentent morons. Remember the series of tubes? As an employee of the backbone of the internet, nothing scares me more than the government right now.
“Teens are extremely socially aware, but favour participation through their consumption choices, because they believe corporations are more effective agents of change than governments.” Link via Noah
Spot on. In fact, I’d get into politics if it weren’t so damned.. well, political.
Why vote?
So at this point I clearly lack confidence in anyone or anything trying to get my vote. It’s going to take a lot to convince me that you’re not too busy or a passionate moron (or unethical, or an adulterer, or any other stereotype). But wait, it’s my duty to vote, right? I mean, that’s what I’ve been told since elementary school government class. I guess I don’t appreciate the argument that I need to vote simply because people in Africa can’t. Any kid who’s been told to finish their dinner because kids in China are starving know where I’m coming from here. As a kid the “you need to vote” lecture ranks up there with “sharing is good”, you don’t really question it…
Interestingly enough I can name one good reason to not vote: you have no economic interest. At least, that’s what Steven Levitt (Freakonomics) serves up.
Why would an economist be embarrassed to be seen at the voting booth? Because voting exacts a cost – in time, effort, lost productivity – with no discernible payoff except perhaps some vague sense of having done your “civic duty.” As the economist Patricia Funk wrote in a recent paper, “A rational individual should abstain from voting.” (NYTimes)
Fair enough. I’ve got another good reason: there’s no way you can really be informed enough to make a good decision. I don’t think any of us really understand all the issues enough to have an opinion one way or another (to make the best decision). This is why Scott calls himself a Ignorantselfishertarian. Then again, what are the most recent and pressing issues we need to tackle? The importance of same-sex marriage and it’s implications on society? Flag burning? Do I really need to spend time waiting in line to elect someone to vote on this crap?
So what do we do?
I really like Scott Adams’ Pragmatic Party. I think the more realistic solution, though, is to wait a few more years for the ‘old guard’ to phase itself out of elected positions (in Castro fashion). Just imagine, in 10-20 years we’ll be dancing in the streets…
…if the country makes it that long.
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Voting not only sucks, it is evil and detrimental to society! I have made the ethical and educated decison to never vote again in America. Look back in history and note how both parties always support wars and mayhem in spreading a bastardized form of Democracy they think every nation should persue. What folly. Recently not one damn Democrat stood up and voiced opposition to the next 80 billion to be dumped into the war chest to kill more Iraqi citizens. This is genocide now and both parties are to blame for it. How can any sensible person vote? This perplexes me to no end.
I get that people are pissed off with their so-called leaders in government.
I agree that the currect collection of buffoons needs to be replaced.
So how do we create change if we care? I am unwilling to wait. Waiting only re-inforces the current process that puts buffons in power. What we have now is effectively “Government by the Lobbyists, for the Corporations” – because you are correct, once elected, no politician has any time to actually write bills or research the votes he/she will make in congress. They are too busy stealing as much power and money as they can for the next election. They end up introducing bills written by lobbyists and researched by other lobbyists and special interest groups. This stopped being about people before I was born.
So how do we change that?
Yeah, sure we could stage an armed rebellion… sounds kind of dramatic, and I am certainly angry enough at the current system to do that; but there are costs to rebellion that I don’t like. Deaths, human misery, the strong (and not-necessarily the smart or most willing to serve others) end up doing far better in any armed conflict than the rest of us would like.
So if we are unwilling to wait, and unwilling to revolt – that leaves us with trying to change the system from within itself. I’ll admit it’s a longshot. The odds are stacked against us. All the money, all the corruption, and the apathy of many people make change difficult. On the other hand we have excellent tools, and some crappy tools to work with; and we get people riled up enough and change can happen. Fat-happy incumbents don’t always win.
We protest, we organize public demonstrations of the truth, we expose the lies of big media in satire (Go Jon Stewart and Stephan Colbert!!!), we begin to use alternative media for news, and we get involved with campaigns. You are correct, it is not good enough to simply vote any more – it should be, but our votes will be stolen if we don’t actively fight to protect them too.
If you have no choice on the ballot, write in: “none of the above” – if and consider running for that office yourself next time. Don’t just sit on your ass and complain, do something about it. Research your choices well ahead of time, and publish and share your research with every one months before an election so people do actually have time to carefully research their choices. Frankly, in this age of internet information, anyone who is undecided with only two weeks left is a lazy excuse for a citizen. The information is out there.
Not sure where you live, but if you are in Northern Virginia this non-partisan info might help:
http://www.scottnolan.org/elections_2006.html
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Thanks for the comments, Scott. I like what you have to say but I still feel hopeless. I don’t know what it’ll take to turn things around but it would certainly be a lot. I guess thats why I figure it’s best to wait. Well, that and I’m still in college.
Some day I’ll think about politics, I assure you. Until then, I don’t care much to vote because, well, every choice sucks. I hope there are others out there who can create some better choices for the citizens…
The only breath of hope I get now is with the Revolutionary American Communist Party news email I get regularly. This group is headed by Bob Avakian who is a clear and concise writer and thinker. I suggest you all read his book entitled: From Ike To Mao and beyond. It is a profound looks are where we are headed and what we can do to prevent it. Also of note here, I suggest reading Those Who Refuse To Vote, a collection of many astute writers on the suject and it is compiled by a person named Watner. Reading is power and holds answers for action!
I’m not sure that I want an apathetic person voting anyway, but, I’m going to go ahead and throw out the “lame” flag on this one. Yeah, that’s right. I’m giving you a lameness penalty (fifteen yards or half the distance to the goal — whatever is greater).
In a 2002 Senate election in South Dakota, the incumbent squeaked through with only 524 more votes than his opponent. Each vote is very significant in such races. And I’m sure there have been closer races. I would also venture to say that each vote will count in District 4’s House Rep race being voted on today.
Sure, some of the candidates as of late have had a major suck factor, but it only gets better when we’re involved. Voting is one way to be involved.
But, you’re right — the representative government (democracy) we have will get better if you aren’t an active citizen. Um, yeah…
Oh please, apathetic? We pay attention to politics for a few weeks every two or four years. Only then do things suddenly matter? What happens during the rest of the time?
Using circumstantial evidence in a few elections hardly demonstrates the power our votes have. Of course “every vote counts”… if counted correctly. You make your assumptions (my vote will be counted) and I’ll make mine (for any vote I don’t cast there will be someone else not casting the exact opposite).
Hehe, instead of one red vote and one blue vote we’ll just stick to zero for each. ;-)
I only mentioned a couple recent elections, but if I were to research elections across all states I would find many (perhaps a majority of?) similar elections. This is empirical evidence not “circumstantial” evidence.
If you do, in fact, have doubt that your vote will *physically* be counted correctly, then that is a problem. A representational government does not work if it can’t be assured that care is given to count votes correctly. I will admit to having doubts about electronic voting machines. Thus my Luddite choice to fill out a paper ballot.
Also, because you pay attention to politics only a few weeks a year, do not assume everyone is similar. Many of us are paying attention *all the time*.
Okay, my real point is that being apathetic doesn’t fix the perceived problems you see. Can you encourage non-sucktacular candidates to get involved? Can you vote when you feel something, anything needs to change? Can you volunteer at a voting center? Can you vote for a county clerk you trust to count your vote correctly?
I’m frustrated with the state of things as well, but walking away from the system won’t make it better.
People typically do not pay attention to politics until they want something changed. I am not convinced that many people are any more than apathetic the remainder of the time.
Though, I agree with you Nicole. I largely argue for the sake of arguing and I suppose I could preface that next time. There are many options and for me it will come down to my priorities. Unfortunately politics is not a priority right now because my desired impact can not be achieved.
I can wait..
Well, the rubes have had their voice and the ballots from the rigged machines or broken ones are trickling in and wowie, Democrats, creators of procrastination may have a say! But GWB still leads the pack of wolves that devour the starving innocents in this world and the voters have a restfull nights sleep with full tummies. This is voting, American style. Is everybody happy?
A little late, but here is my 2 cents.
Why is voting not only impotent, but redundant?
Simple the term “two party system”. This term is a device thought up by the two dominant (and in all reality only) partys in government. This is a misleading term that seems to suggest that we only have two choices, democrat and republican. That is not only false, but a very very dangerous way of thinking. We keep voting for the same two parties. Why? How stupid is voting for two parites who keep f***ing us over time and time again. Its like a teacher asking us a question and we keep guessing A and B over and over again and no matter how many times that answer is wrong, we never try anything else. So stupid. But that is part of the term “two party system” and its brainwashing effect. The news only talks about candidates in those two parties and no-one even thinks there are other choices in most cases. Campaining is also stupid because the polititians can say what they will and wont do in office, but the fact of the matter is that they will do exactly what their party tells them to do (save the occational vote against their partys favor, that they know is fruitless but gets them something to brag about in the next campaign.) Why do they do what their party tells them to do? Because if they dont, they dont push their partys agenda and magicaly they aren’t in the primarys next election. Imagine that. So your not voting for Obama or Hilary or congessman X, your voting for an agenda pushing committee who use whips and threats of ruining someones career to do the same things every term. Also why help put these people in office when if some people vote, as opposed to everyone, the outcome WILL be the same, if 40% want candidate X and 60% want candidate Y, it doesn’t matter if a thousand people vote or a million vote, the outcome is the same, we get a shitty party’s puppet in office either way.
STOP VOTING FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, OR DONT VOTE AT ALL.
Nice article btw.
Thanks for the comment, Sam. I hope people stumble in here when they start searching Google in a few months and take a look at what you had to say. ;)
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Was searching through google when I stumbled across this article.*
First off, I agree with Devin and Sam. I never knew why I didn’t care so much about elections. The way it’s being projected in to society makes it seem like a “hip” thing to do, voting has turned into a fashion. Everyone is so active right up to the elections but give it a few months and no one is going to be talking about prop 8 or what they want to do about that. Also, I’m in complete agreement with Sam’s comments about the “two-party system”. If I had it my way, I’d probably elect a socialist into office given our current situation. On the other hand, I’m not going to say that there haven’t been presidents or politicians who’ve accomplished things, we’ve had many accomplishments, but the rubbish we’re fed about how we have the power to make the change brings about this false idea that voting one way or the other will instantly change the outcome of our economy. Just because Obama is in office doesn’t mean that there will be no more war, the economy will perk up, and global warming will cease to exist, no, its far from that. If anything all of the people who voted for him will just have something to gloat about, and perhaps even feel that their future is secure when they go to sleep at night.