If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
Options
To people who don't vote
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Why is it that people who don't vote complain about a supposed 'lack of choice' yet still reap the benefits of living in a liberal democracy?
Instead of taking from their political system, shouldn't they give something back by voting?
Instead of taking from their political system, shouldn't they give something back by voting?
0
Comments
Surely they have the right not to state a preference, if none of the parties meet their needs?
That's why most non-voters just lose faith in the process altogether
So if you 'lose faith' in one aspect of liberal democracy why accept the others?
I vote because I feel it is my duty to do so. However, in recent years I have become more disillusioned with the choice of candidates. In the future I think their should be an option such as "none of the above" or similar.
if there is no one worth voting for then why vote? if they all seem like a bunch off crooks at a certain time then why put your X and support them? not to vote at an election IS ...for a lot of people their political decision which they are alowed in a liberal democracy.
it might be interesting if nobody at all turned out at the next general election in protest. the politicians might get the message that they have to work differently ...
I believe we should have the choice on whether to vote, but yeah, people shouldn't complain about who's getting in if they don't, just like people shouldn't complain about living off the dole if they don't bother to get a job (I have nothing against people living off the dole, but I do know some people who just can't be bothered getting a job-I also realise about the job shortage and it ain't aimed at people who try). But yeah, people should vote and say "Well, Tony Blair got in, but at least I didn't vote for him".
People should have the right not to vote, but they shouldn't complain about the country and how it's run if they haven't at least tried to change it.
Are you sure that it's a lack of knowledge that's causing the problem? Maybe people are realising that the odds of any one person's vote making a difference to the outcome is vanishingly small, and deciding that voting is not worth the effort (the infamous free-rider problem, for all those acquainted with economic theory).
so he can't vote for labour on the principle that they have no principals.
the tories ...he would die before voting for them ...but seeing as they have no policies anyway it's not even worth thinking about!
the liberals are now more left wing than the labour party but don't realy understand what socialism is about so can't vote for them ....wouldn't dream of voting for such a fucking wet bunch anyway ...so what does this guy do? vote on a single issue? not on your life ...this is a working class socialist soldier of 70 i'm talking about ...what does he do ...puts two fingers up at the lot of them!
and i salute him ...
With rights come responsiblities.
It's no use complaining when your rights aren't being upheld when you fail to take part in the system.
But why abstain from voting and expect the state to uphold your rights?
Yes (and unlike you I will explain why) because in the current democracy we have now it is a person's democratic choice whether or not to vote in an election. Therefore if they choose to vote for another party or not vote at all they still have the right to be protected and listened to by the victorious party who forms the government.
i'll fill in the missing words that you didn't want everyone to see aye?
fuck ...he's got me now. i can't think of a decent answer so i''l just put ... NO!
_________________________O________________________
oops i just noticed a typo. i'll leave it though so you'll have something to reply with that will be correct ...though meaningless.
Heh heh, I don't think so.
A person (in my view at least) should use their ability to vote in addition to their rights they receive from the state.
Why should you be apathetic about the government yet still expect the state to uphold your rights?
it might be their political decision! that might be their choice. their statement. there only real choice down to consciounce sp .
what if your realy ignorant about politics ...to busy with the daily struggle and grind to educate yourself a little about politics or just simply don't give a flying fuck ...you go to jail?
now all that's changed and people are generaly more savvy ...they don't.
why do you think that is?
You have asked monocrat:
Why do you think that is?
Clearly the problem here is that he doesn't. Think that is... He doesn't seem to understand that my choice not to cast a vote, or to spoil my ballot paper, is an expression of my political will
Exactly the whole point of a liberal democracy is the protection of minorities in that society whether they voted Tory, Lib Dem or Monster Raving Loony or not at all.
All part of the protection of minorities which I just stated or do you just go out of your way to be obtuse and faecious? Tolerance of minorities and protection of minorities so we are a pluralist country - got that?
It's not just about protecting 'minorities'.
Okay well I'll explain so maybe you can understand it this time. It is not solely about protecting minorities but that is a key feature of a liberal democracy. We elect representatives to the House of Commons and other bodies because they are in theory intelligent enough to take decisions on the basis of the good of the country not mob rule hence protecting minorities. We have the police and armed forces to ensure the rule of law for all people so protecting minorities while allowing democratic freedom of expression. We ensure everyone who is arrested has the right to legal representation so they can protect themselves regardless of income or power and so we can have a fair trial. The protection of minorities isn't just in the Race Discriminations Act or the equality of gay and straight couples it is a fine thread which runs through our whole system of government. Hopefully, you've got it now.