US Election

[radaro]

I can't encourage you enough to go and vote today.  I'm reading this book "Reading Lolita in Tehran" and it makes you realize just how lucky you are to live in a democracy.  Yes, I know it isn't perfect but at least in a democracy you can complain and work to make things better.  You aren't subjected to arbitrary laws that change on the whim of a dictator.  People around the world are fighting and dying for the right to free speech, you only have to go to your voting station to participate.  If you don't vote IMHO you don't get the right to complain about the government!

[spitfire78]

While I agree with most of your post, I gotta disagree with your last sentence.  The Constitution gives every U.S. citizen the right to free speech.  The right to free speech is not dependent on whether or not a person votes.  Therefore, every U.S. citizen has the right to criticize or applaud the government and elected officials, whether or not they participated in the election.

[juspeachy]

I voted this morning before coming to work.  I stood in line for about 30 minutes, but would rather have done it in the cool of the morning, that the heat of the afternoon.

My state uses the electronic voting machines.  They are easy to use, but I worry because I can't see that there is any safeguard in place to verify a vote if a recount becomes necessary or to ensure the security of a vote against possible "hackers."

Just my concerns...

JusPeachy

[raindance]

In some countries, such as Australia, voting is compulsory. In other countries there are certain persons who may not vote.  In the United Kingdom this applies to prisoners, lunatics (legal definition) and members of the House of Lords.

I happen to think that voting in elections is a duty, since a person, in voting, exercises responsibility for the common good and also sets an example to others.

However, I do not think that not voting disenfranchises a person from holding any particular point of view. On the contrary, there may be many reasons why a person might choose NOT to vote - including conscience.  Fortunately, most of us who post on this website live in democracies which give us that right both as people and - since most of seem to be women - as women.

Raindance

[radaro]

Oops!  I guess I used the wrong term.  Yes, the non-voting person does have a "right" to complain.  Thankfully, that is protected in the constitution.  I just don't think they should complain since they didn't take part in the process even if it means spoiling a vote in protest.

I hope I am clearer now.

Edited by radaro on 02/11/04 04:48 PM.

[secretaryman]

I wouldn't worry so much about "hackers" as I would the incumbent   rigging the polls in Ohio like he did in Florida in the previous election.