What about the other 175 million Americans?

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Posted by eogara

Plain and simple, no. If you opt not to exercise the right that so many have struggled and died for us to have, then you have no say whatsoever in the next four years.

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DITTO

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Posted by oct.2004bride

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Posted by eogara

Plain and simple, no. If you opt not to exercise the right that so many have struggled and died for us to have, then you have no say whatsoever in the next four years.

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DITTO

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Okay, then what about those that did raise their voices for Kerry , what happens to them?

What about those who were felt none of the candidates appealed to them and opted out? What of them?

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Posted by oct.2004bride

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Posted by eogara

Plain and simple, no. If you opt not to exercise the right that so many have struggled and died for us to have, then you have no say whatsoever in the next four years.

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DITTO

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DITTO! while i wasn't 100% about either candidate.. Im a strong believer in the idea that 'if you didn't vote- you have no right to complain'.

sorry, but to those people who couldnt take timeout of their schedule to vote, they shouldnt take time out of mine to complain. Dont complain about something if youre not going to at least attempt to do something about it.

i never respond to the political debates b/c i respect that if you voted, you can complain however you like- whether i agree or disagree- but to not vote, and then complain about the outcome- i have a problem with that. thats as bad as people saying 'well, im not married, but let me tell you how to run your marriage'

I love people who don't vote and their excuse is 'I'm not in to the whole government thing.'

How dumb is that! Really, you don't have to be in to government to care about your OWN future! It bothers me. I feel guilty if I don't vote!

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Posted by lanikai

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Posted by oct.2004bride

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Posted by eogara

Plain and simple, no. If you opt not to exercise the right that so many have struggled and died for us to have, then you have no say whatsoever in the next four years.

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DITTO

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Okay, then what about those that did raise their voices for Kerry , what happens to them?

What about those who were felt none of the candidates appealed to them and opted out? What of them?

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For those who 'did raise their voices for Kerry', they made their statement. There is a rather large dissenting opinion which will carry through in the policies and politics of the next four years. Additionally, there was not only one election on the ballot this year - they voted for many other elected officials and had some say in that as well (which is what people consistently forget about and are actually the officials who more directly affect all of us).

As far as those who felt none of the candidates appealed to them, write someone in or just vote in the other elections but to just 'opt out' is a total cop-out. I'm not saying their opinion might not count to someone, but it doesn't count to me.

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For those who 'did raise their voices for Kerry', they made their statement. There is a rather large dissenting opinion which will carry through in the policies and politics of the next four years. Additionally, there was not only one election on the ballot this year - they voted for many other elected officials and had some say in that as well (which is what people consistently forget about and are actually the officials who more directly affect all of us).

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you have summed up what so many people dont understand. Many know who Bush and Kerry are but not who the other people are on the ballot and what their role is. I have been very voiciferous about politics becasue I made it my business to understand how this government functions..especially in the way we have all been bamboozled by so many politicinas..not just Bush as some seem to be stuck on. but by many others whose dirty laundry just hasnt made headline news. I have talked to both sides of the coind, democrats and republicnas and by large alot of people think the president is an end all when really he is only a piece of a rather complex puzzle.

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Posted by Robeymuse

Not all of the approx 285 million people in the US are citizens. Out of the 175 million, the majority of those could be under 18.

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Good point, I forgot about the kids.

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Posted by lanikai

Okay, so there are approx 285 million people in the US and about 110 million of us came out to vote. So although the 'majority' has supposedly spoken, what are we to make of those who did not make their voices heard? Do they deserve to have any say in the direction this country takes in the next four years?

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They have absolutely NO say if they didn't vote.

Too bad... so sad.

You should be happy that we received the turnout we did. Over 110 million. You probably won't see that again for a while.