tbourner Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Problem is there's several other thousand people thinking exactly the same thing. That's nothing to do with me though, I'm only talking about MY vote, I can't decide on other people voting, and if I'd decided to vote that wouldn't make the other several thousand people suddenly decide to vote - therefore my vote makes NO difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 In my eyes, it's not politicians at fault, it's the whole concept of career politicians. As for voting, I always vote, partly because our history has been one long struggle for equality and the right to vote, so it's darned rude of anyone not to vote - a slap in the face for our ancestors who campaigned and fought for the rights we have today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I remember my public law lecturer telling me that if everyone who decided not to vote simply turned up and wrote "I have no confidence in the above named parties" therefore spoiling the ballot paper, that would have more implications on the government than people just choosing not to vote. Believe the theory goes along the lines of a protest vote, which has some kind of implication, just can't remember what it was..... That's all well and good, and indeed how it should be, but in my experience the vote counters draw no distinction between spoilt ballot papers and apathetic voters, and that is wrong. The time I chose to spoil my paper I had gone out and voted, I HAD NOT been APATHETIC. it was a conscious decision, and yet statistically I had not been to the poll. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendor Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 That's nothing to do with me though, I'm only talking about MY vote, I can't decide on other people voting, and if I'd decided to vote that wouldn't make the other several thousand people suddenly decide to vote - therefore my vote makes NO difference. If you do not vote you are increasing the chance that the winner represent fewer people. History shows us that a vociferous and charismatic politician can get into power with a very small turnout and turn out to be a wolf in sheeps clothing. Our electoral system is seriously overdue for an overhaul when a no show or a spoiled vote does not count. IMO It is inherently wrong when people can refuse to vote and I believe everyone who is elligible to vote should vote (by law) but have the option of saying NONE OF THE ABOVE. That might factionise politics but it would take away the polarisation we have now and free up debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I deliberately spoiled my vote at the last loal election to make a point. However I was devastated to find that the statistics for "turn out" don't include spoiled votes. As the "turn out" was reported as the sum of the cast votes the sooner they bring in the Australian system of mandatory voting with an option for "none of the above" the better. I did however vote at these elections. Mike If you do not vote you are increasing the chance that the winner represent fewer people. History shows us that a vociferous and charismatic politician can get into power with a very small turnout and turn out to be a wolf in sheeps clothing. Our electoral system is seriously overdue for an overhaul when a no show or a spoiled vote does not count. IMO It is inherently wrong when people can refuse to vote and I believe everyone who is elligible to vote should vote (by law) but have the option of saying NONE OF THE ABOVE. That might factionise politics but it would take away the polarisation we have now and free up debate. Listen to this man he talks sense Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 If you do not vote you are increasing the chance that the winner represent fewer people. History shows us that a vociferous and charismatic politician can get into power with a very small turnout and turn out to be a wolf in sheeps clothing. Our electoral system is seriously overdue for an overhaul when a no show or a spoiled vote does not count. IMO It is inherently wrong when people can refuse to vote and I believe everyone who is elligible to vote should vote (by law) but have the option of saying NONE OF THE ABOVE. That might factionise politics but it would take away the polarisation we have now and free up debate. I hope you understood the main reason for my not voting though? Not because I couldn't be bothered, but because my lack of interest in politics means I wouldn't trust my own choice, I guess I'd feel guilty about voting for someone who I later realised was rubbish. If I had time and willingness to seek out appropriate information to inform my decision then I would be a lot more likely to vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendor Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I hope you understood the main reason for my not voting though? Not because I couldn't be bothered, but because my lack of interest in politics means I wouldn't trust my own choice, I guess I'd feel guilty about voting for someone who I later realised was rubbish. If I had time and willingness to seek out appropriate information to inform my decision then I would be a lot more likely to vote. Absolutely, but do not be afraid to get involved. Many people make the mistake of trying to understand it all. That is impossible and you tie yourself up in knots. It is far easier to take it one step at a time and look at a couple of the big issues in your life or other peoples lives and start there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soonto_HAS_soop Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I didn't vote and never had, they are all as bad as each other and just give lots of false promises to try and gain another single vote. They are all as bad as each other. I am still surprised that ITV haven't picked up on "Find me a Government", "Britains got Government" or "Government Factor" might be an interest proposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 I hope you understood the main reason for my not voting though? Not because I couldn't be bothered, but because my lack of interest in politics means I wouldn't trust my own choice, I guess I'd feel guilty about voting for someone who I later realised was rubbish. If I had time and willingness to seek out appropriate information to inform my decision then I would be a lot more likely to vote. I'd hate to be in a rush with you at the front of the queue choosing some sweets at the petrol station Go on live dangerously, make a rash move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I'd hate to be in a rush with you at the front of the queue choosing some sweets at the petrol station Go on live dangerously, make a rash move I don't buy stuff in the petrol station because I know I'd take too long!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I totally reject the "if you don't vote you can't complain" and "if you don't vote you are perfectly happy with the current state". Both are false dichotomies, and I thank you for finally allowing me to use that phrase since I learnt it a year or so ago So - "If you don't vote you can't complain". This also implies "if the party you voted for gets in, you can't complain as you wanted them". So if you voted in labour, you're 100% happy and fully behind fiddling the expenses and ruining the economy and taking away you freedoms. Does that work? I think not. It's like "choose which trifle you want, the choccy one or the sherry one - if you don't choose you'll get one at random". But you know the choccy one is cheap and nasty and tastes foul, and you don't like sherry. So you get sherry at random, start to choke it down, and it's got ground f***ing glass in it - which wasn't exactly advertised at the choosing stage. So, seriously, you are saying that you can't complain your trifle has ground glass in it because you didn't choose which one to have without knowing that fact? Turns out the choccy one had weedkiller in it by the way. Still, can't complain, you didn't choose. Absolute nonsense. Not voting is a sign of knowing that whoever you vote in is going to f*** you with lies while lining their own pockets*. It's like choosing which porcupine to get shoved up your ass. Mind you I nearly did vote this time just to help shove Labour out of power. As it turns out, job done without my assistance, thank you loyal voters. -Ian *see "politician" in dictionary, all definitions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I love a good trifle analogy. There aren't enough of them to be honest Stop press...and not forgetting anal exploring porcupines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 LOL @ IanC That's got to go on a T-Shirt: "Voting - It's like choosing which porcupine to get shoved up your ass" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I voted this time and always will, but that's because i have an active interest in Politics. I think a lot of it was down to my very left wing politics teacher, who made my views slightly more entrenched than they were to start with This is the left wing politics teacher with the nice car, nice house and holidayed in the south of France all the time...... Mr Scargill he was not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 A carefully considered vote in the Euro election *MAY* have elevated your chances of continuing to enjoy modifying cars. There's some pretty insidious Euro talk of banning mods to cars being mooted, but being kept pretty quiet, or so I am led to believe. Pistonheads often roots these out and gives you a chance to contact you MP with regard to showing your disdain, assuming he's not choosing a new duck house, or doing a bit of crafty tax dodging oops! my euro election ballot paper unfortunately got ripped to shreds, prior to me posting it in the allocated slot in the box.With the words i'm not going to make more of these Bar stewards millionaires, the keeper of the box pushed the last of my 50 pieces into the box, I smiled and left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendor Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I totally reject the "if you don't vote you can't complain" and "if you don't vote you are perfectly happy with the current state". Both are false dichotomies, and I thank you for finally allowing me to use that phrase since I learnt it a year or so ago So - "If you don't vote you can't complain". This also implies "if the party you voted for gets in, you can't complain as you wanted them". So if you voted in labour, you're 100% happy and fully behind fiddling the expenses and ruining the economy and taking away you freedoms. Does that work? I think not. It's like "choose which trifle you want, the choccy one or the sherry one - if you don't choose you'll get one at random". But you know the choccy one is cheap and nasty and tastes foul, and you don't like sherry. So you get sherry at random, start to choke it down, and it's got ground f***ing glass in it - which wasn't exactly advertised at the choosing stage. So, seriously, you are saying that you can't complain your trifle has ground glass in it because you didn't choose which one to have without knowing that fact? Turns out the choccy one had weedkiller in it by the way. Still, can't complain, you didn't choose. Absolute nonsense. Not voting is a sign of knowing that whoever you vote in is going to f*** you with lies while lining their own pockets*. It's like choosing which porcupine to get shoved up your ass. Mind you I nearly did vote this time just to help shove Labour out of power. As it turns out, job done without my assistance, thank you loyal voters. -Ian *see "politician" in dictionary, all definitions Good grief, now give us a good reason why not to vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I vote as a rule but this time decided not to vote due to the fact that there was no one worth voting for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I totally reject the "if you don't vote you can't complain" and "if you don't vote you are perfectly happy with the current state". Both are false dichotomies, and I thank you for finally allowing me to use that phrase since I learnt it a year or so ago So - "If you don't vote you can't complain". This also implies "if the party you voted for gets in, you can't complain as you wanted them". So if you voted in labour, you're 100% happy and fully behind fiddling the expenses and ruining the economy and taking away you freedoms. Does that work? I think not. It's like "choose which trifle you want, the choccy one or the sherry one - if you don't choose you'll get one at random". But you know the choccy one is cheap and nasty and tastes foul, and you don't like sherry. So you get sherry at random, start to choke it down, and it's got ground f***ing glass in it - which wasn't exactly advertised at the choosing stage. So, seriously, you are saying that you can't complain your trifle has ground glass in it because you didn't choose which one to have without knowing that fact? Turns out the choccy one had weedkiller in it by the way. Still, can't complain, you didn't choose. Absolute nonsense. Not voting is a sign of knowing that whoever you vote in is going to f*** you with lies while lining their own pockets*. It's like choosing which porcupine to get shoved up your ass. Mind you I nearly did vote this time just to help shove Labour out of power. As it turns out, job done without my assistance, thank you loyal voters. -Ian *see "politician" in dictionary, all definitions Now theres an analogy you can stick your teeth into. Here fucking here!! Ian C for prime minister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I love this country, and the freedom we have to express ourselves and our desire to insert porcupines into our anuses. I love the conservatives logo too here in my town, blue into green. It's so damn beautiful and futuristic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Just don't go setting any planes on fire Carl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Lmao.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I voted because I like the whole going to a little scout hut and crossing an x with a pencil on a piece of paper. Makes me feel special. Not sure whether it made any difference to voters but the 'community centre' (which was at the back of a school near me) where I voted had a black doll with it's head off as you walked in. I wondered if the BNP party had been there already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Should have had a poll on this thread, just to see how wrong / right / indifferent we all are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Should have had a poll on this thread, just to see how wrong / right / indifferent we all are. Something along the lines of what i was thinking. How many people like to get their say in in threads like this that have kept quiet. I have a feeling that a lot of members who didn't vote are afraid to say so in public. Private poll would see a lot more non-voters IMO. Its each to their own in my opinion but Ian and yourself have put it far better than i could about how i actually feel. I hate to say it, but i'm just past caring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendor Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 ........... I hate to say it, but i'm just past caring. I was once like that so I do understand. I got married, kids, a business, and all the problems came to the fore. I think there will be a time you will care. It might be a twenty four month waiting list for a minor op, cancer care postcode lottery, kids in a crappy school because your preferred school is full, massive tax rises, capital gains on your assetts, being lied to constantly by people who should be dead straight and honest etc etc. And when you do care you will look around and realise you have no other voice than the vote and you will be pi$$ed about that and you will grasp that one opportunity and make it work for you. Or at least I hope you and many others do but for now it is your choice and I respect that. For the intervening period we will act as watch keepers and keep the scoundrels who govern us on their toes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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