Clearing The Air — Page 3

Nighty Night, NYState.

Sweet Dreams.

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..."Me voting or not voting will not change anything."...And how many thought that in Florida three years ago? And, do they think the same now? Does any one person know the power of their one vote? To throw your hands up and say it doesn't matter is to delude yourself.

Since none of us, I presume, have crystal balls how do we know the effect of our vote? Might the situation in the Middle East be different? Would 9/11 have occurred if Gore were in the White House? Would gasoline prices be at an all time high? Questions with no answers.

But at least you would know you did your bit. You made an effort using the best information available at the time. This country really doesn't ask much of its people. Is voting really that difficult a task? That unpleasent a chore? Or if things don't go they way one wants, they turn and run? How does one take pride in that?

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I just read the thread that incited all of this and I would like to add the following:

Not only does anyone who refuses to vote or educate themselves about the politics in our nation not deserve the right to speak out about, but they do not deserve the right to live in this democracy. If you want your politics decided for you, go find a monarchy or a communist nation and enjoy yourself, we don't need you here.

I keep coming back to something Roxy said in the first post in this thread:

"I suffer from a physical condition that is slowly deteriorating my muscles. It is not life threatening but serious none the less. I advised Namo of it & his compassion lasted about 2 weeks if I recall."

Now, I'm the first, or at least in the first half-dozen, to sympathize with physical ailments and appreciate their impact on one's existence. But, I think it's the top of a very slippery slope to expect illness or disability to be a reason to not be held accountable for one's actions or words. Such conditions may well explain a lot about why we feel as we do, but I worry about the implications and long term effect of treating someone with deference because they have a disease, be it life-threatening or 'merely' life-altering. It's bad enough to have a physical impairment, but to then expect to be treated differently because of it diminishes the essence of the person in question. I've always held to the "no matter what happens to my body, as long as I have my brain, I'm still in the ball park" theory. And it has served me well.

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Updated On: 5/21/04 at 09:39 AM

There is clearly a lack of shame here

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Those two guys are brothers by the way. ( Twins)

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Updated On: 5/22/04 at 01:53 AM

I can't believe that I'm about to say this, but I would rather see someone vote for Bush than not vote at all. Sort of.

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I have no respect for anyone that doesn't vote.

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let's all be friends instead!

::grins::

i shouldn't have gotten involved in this.

Tell you what I will do. I will go into the voting booth & since I cannot support Bush/Kerry or Nader, I will pull a blank ballot. This will be my protest. I will vote & my blank ballot will be for none of the above.

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If you don't vote for yourself, at least vote for those who can't. It's not just about us, but about our children and their children. Voting is a much larger responsibility than simple personal opinion. That opinion represents all those not old enough to vote that you may represent.

I know I sound like an old episode of Family Ties, but it is how I feel. Do with it what you wish.

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It related to an old thread concerning a "training video". Ask SueleenGay.

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Simply voting is not enough. You should cast an educated, decisive vote. (Here comes my Family Ties moment) You have a duty to your fellow citizens to cast an educated vote. And I completely agree with Dame: I have NO respect for anyone who has the opportunity to vote and doesn't take it.