Not voting is considered a form of expression. Do non-voters 'violate' the American concept of being a part of the solution?

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 22:51:26 -0400

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 10 at 2016 10:59 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 22:59:29 -0400

Yeah I get it, Not Voting is exercising your 1st amendment right to free speech or not to speak but that it is about the dumbest way to do it ever. I'm not a violent man but that just about warrants me kicking you in the ass for pure ignorance if you don't vote.

Response by COL William Oseles made Sep 11 at 2016 12:43 AM

COL William Oseles — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 00:43:31 -0400

If they don't vote then IMO they have no right to bitch about how the country is being run.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Sep 11 at 2016 7:04 AM

1SG Mike Case — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 07:04:20 -0400

What if you feel neither candidate is the "right person for the job"? Should we vote for one person simply because we think the other person is worse? Should I vote for Donald Trump because I don't think Hillary Clinton is qualified to be president, even though I don't think Donald Trump is capable either? I can be totally engaged in politics and can be well educated and can simply choose to refrain from voting. What happens if Donald Trump is elected and makes a rash of horrible policy decisions or whatever. Will your explanation be I only voted for him so Hillary Clinton didn't get elected? Now, I feel that if someone does all their research and can give an educated reason as to why they are not voting, then I say great. Now, I plan on voting but I am all for someone exercising their right to either vote or not vote, as long as they have put in the time to educate themselves on the subject.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 8:07 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 08:07:40 -0400

Voting is a right, and a responsibility. To not vote is also a right. If one does not vote for reason he/she believe are valid then he/she is fulfilling their responsibility on the way they see fit. If they are not voting because they are just too lazy they are not fulfilling their responsibility.

Regardless, anyone is free to do as he/she wishes. We call it freedom.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 11 at 2016 10:11 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 10:11:32 -0400

If I ma allowed to play Nintendo, mooch off Mom and Dad, and never get a job, I'm dang sure allowed to sit in the house in my bathrobe on elections day.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 11 at 2016 2:08 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 14:08:53 -0400

If you don't vote you have no standing to complain.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 11 at 2016 9:20 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 21:20:58 -0400

I've always figured a person who does not care to vote simply does not care at all....

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 11 at 2016 10:22 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 22:22:51 -0400

depending on Whom you are not Voting for ... Could be ... in Effect a vote for the Other Guy... but Not voting for Trump will Put HRC in the White House for the Next 8 years... and with that... there will be little left of America by 2024 anyway...

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 12 at 2016 8:24 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 08:24:35 -0400

Personally, I would much rather someone refuse to vote than to vote for the "lessor of two evils". I think this displays integrity that they will not compromise their conscience for the less bad candidate. Some folks state that my support and vote for a 3rd party or independent candidate amounts to the same thing. I think if someone chooses not to vote, then so be it. Last I looked there is no requirement to be part of the solution lol.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 11:06 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:06:59 -0400

Apathy, which infects most non-voters, is one of the major reasons this country is in the pathetic shape it's in.

Response by PO2 Dave Cutsinger made Sep 12 at 2016 9:03 PM

PO2 Dave Cutsinger — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 21:03:03 -0400

I was brought up to believe that taking part in the election process is part of my duty as a citizen. Abstain all you want, but I'd rather not speak to you about politics then. 43 states allow for write in candidates, so not voting because there's not a choice that fits you sounds like a hollow excuse. Currently we run at around 60% eligible voter turnout in presidential elections. That's a staggering amount of non-votes when most presidential elections in recent history are decided by less than 10%. We haven't voted in the 70+% rate since the turn of the previous century.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 9 at 2017 11:53 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 11:53:07 -0400

IMO: If "your guy" wins the election to whatever office, then you can complain or support his or her work in office. If your guy lost, then you can complain about the winner's performance in office. If you don't vote at all, then you have no standing to complain, but many people do.