Why vote?

[mikelewis]

Yesterday, Cleveland held its Mayoral primary and sadly only 16% of the people came out to vote. This Sunday, I have the opportunity to address the people of Cleveland on a radio program and I am going to explain to them why thier vote is important. In a few weeks, we will have the Mayoral General Election and by then, I hope we can motivate the people to get out and vote. To do that, I need to appeal to them rationally and emotionally, if that's possible. Post your best reason why people should vote and feel free to elaborate on key points.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Ok first why they don't

the reasons are many, but I guess nov 04 has somethign to do bout it.

Now lets see why vote?

Your vote makes a difference

Do you want better schools, who you vote for matters

Do you want better services, who yuo vote for matters

Do you need good public servants, who you vote for matters.

Eletions matter.

[mikelewis]

8. So how does one choose which candidate/party/issue to vote for?

Those are important issues, but how do you instill in strangers the desire to find out about the issues and offer the education on how to research so they can make the best decision? I need something simple that connects with everyone, both Democrat and Republican on an intellectual as well as emotional basis.

[stillcool]

2. The motivation behind everything I do...

Consequences..
for most of my life i wondered how Germany could have allowed Hitler to do what he did. I wonder no more.

[mikelewis]

9. Spiral of Silence....

That's how Hitler did it and that's how Bush did it. Luckily, we upset Bush's spiral. Hopefully it was in time.

[Ready4Change]

3. If you didn't vote, you've no right to complain about the outcome.

If you vote you can open a can of whoop-ass. Either that pig you voted against is doing just as you feared, or that pig you cast your vote for is FAILING to do as promised.

Or, further, you can complain that the election itself was rigged and the proper will of the people was subverted.

But, if you DIDN'T vote? Sucks to be you.

[mikelewis]

7. But what about those who do not understand what they are voting for?

Since the right to vote is so sacred and important, it can also be an overwhelming endeavor. To vote reponsibly requires knowledge and time, two commodities that are in high demand. What do I say to those who are intimidated by a system that seems so alien from thier everyday existance? Asking for people's opinions should not be a yearly endeavor. The populas should be engaged in the debate but they are not. How does one go about motivating thier participation? I can't go on the radio and say, "It sucks to be you, stop whining." I am looking to educate and motivate the people of my city, not chastise them for thier ignorance.

[Ready4Change]

13. Tyranny loves ignorance and apathy.

If people can't be bothered to care, can't be bothered to try, then they deserve to be led to the slaughter house.

What difference if that slaughter house is instead a sweatshop, or a plantation, or a gas chamber? All are the final death of a spirit first sickened by the words "I don't care."

[izzie]

4. I sometimes wonder but always do.

I guess I feel it counts and it is what I should do if I care for this country.

[renie408]

5. Because it is my right and because people have died to provide that

I have it. Because there are few ways in the world to show you are participating and not just standing on the sidelines commentating. Because I want my children to grow up realizing that they are responsible for the world they live in. We are all where we want to be. If you want to be somewhere different, you have to do something about it. Voting is one of the ways to do something.

[EC]

6. Explain to them that last year's election went the way it did

because of local and state pols, and that if they want a change, that they want to make sure the next Pres. election isn't screwed up, they should start with the locals...

[TankLV]

10. I have never missed the opportunity to vote since it was first given to me

back in 1972 for the general elections.

But many times, for many reasons, I choose not to vote in the primaries.

Either I can't make up my mind because they are all good candidates, or I just don't know enough about any of them to care at that stage.

I figure it will be all sorted out when the primaries are over by persons who either care more or know more than I.

There are many valid reasons for NOT voting in primaries.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

11. bad people go to Washington when good people don't vote. n/t

[OneBlueSky]

12. sadly, a LOT of people in this country really, truly believe . . .

that their vote doesn't matter . . . usually because . . .

a) "politicians are all alike . . . and they don't care about ME" . . . and/or

b) "the system is rigged . . . no matter who you vote for, the winners have already been determined" . . . and on this one, they may just be right in many cases . . .

[blueraven95]

14. because sometimes one vote can really make a difference.

I've been doing some research into the voting in of the Declaration of Independence, and from what I've been reading, it really did come down to one vote.

The short version:
All thirteen colonies had to approve the Declaration, and on the final day it came down to Pennsylvania which was split (sources disagree on the number each way...either 2 for and 2 against or 4 for and 4 against) and James Wilson (who is one of those very interesting characters whom no one remembers), who had been planning to vote against, changed his mind and voted for it. The reasons for this are unclear....one school of thought was that he did not want the infamy of being the person who kept the colonies from freedom, another suggests that his constituents finally convinced him that was what they wanted. The point is, however, that he changed the entire course of history with his one vote, and either reason for him voting the way he did, its because he knew the people he represented (as in the ones who may think poorly of him) wanted him to do it. The only way our representatives know what we want is if we vote. And, who knows, there may be an election where it might come down to that one vote...for mayor, or congressperson, or even president.

Its just a thought, but it might be useful.

[Catchawave]

15. Voting is less messy than a coups d'etat :)

[Laelth]

16. Didn't I see folks waiting in very long lines ...

... and in very cold, wet weather in Cuyahoga County during the 2004 election? You can't really blame these folks for not coming out. Ohio's Repuke legislature and governor have succeeded brilliantly in making voting a horrendous nightmare for most of Ohio's urban residents. Until the government in Columbus changes, it will not surprise me to find that Ohio's disenfranchised urban voters stay home.

-Laelth