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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWatch Bernie Sanders Explain In 30 Seconds Why ELITES LOVE VOTER APATHY
In the 2006 film American Blackout, which chronciled voter suppression, then-Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) explained how high turnout was a nightmare for the elites who rule America:
American voter turnout has long lagged behind that of most countries. A new Pew survey released this month found that among developed countries the United States had higher voter turnout in the last national election than only Japan, Chile, and Switzerland: This lower voter turnout has consequences it is a well-established fact that the groups of people that do not vote tend to have more progressive views. Thus lower voter turnout tends to benefit conservative political parties.
In 1991, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he's not particularly disturbed by lower voter turnout and said it was healthy if less people participated in the political process. Sufficit to say, McConnell represents the elites that Sanders describes above.
http://www.alternet.org/watch-bernie-sanders-explain-30-seconds-why-elites-love-voter-apathy
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)haikugal
(6,476 posts)Thanks
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)The Oligarchs revel in it, it also allows them to completely rely on identity politics as cover. Never having to put anything radical or substantive on the line.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)supporting Sanders and Clinton. We should come out of this primary building off the enthusiasm Obama built during his campaigns. Time to get the masses out. Time to get the message to them. Clinton and Sanders can do just that. They can increase the base, increasing volunteerism, in turn increasing voter turn out. The republicans negative campaigning isn't going to have the great effect it has had in the past.
"Their nightmare is that young people, lower income people, working people jump into the process."
Exactly. Sanders and Clintons base. That is what they fear.
SamKnause
(13,110 posts)squarely on the Democratic Party and anyone who votes for
Hillary.
It does NOT MATTER how much money that Hillary can raise
if NONE of the people vote for her !!!!!!!!!!
Bernie has proven over the years and decades that he cares
about the people in THIS COUNTRY.
He cares about the things that make life better and easier for
the people in THIS COUNTRY.
He has never voted for a Free Trade Deal !
He voted against the invasion of Iraq.
He voted against the Patriot Act every time if came up for renewal.
He wants to increase Social Security benefits.
He want to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour.
He wants to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure creating 13 million
good paying jobs.
He thinks health care should be a human right.
He thinks climate change is a great threat that is not being addressed.
He wants workers to start co-ops.
He wants to break up the big banks.
He wants to make corporations pay their taxes.
He wants to penalize corporations that send jobs overseas and build
factories in foreign countries.
I have read many post on DU that start out;
I support Bernie, but I am voting for Hillary because Bernie
can not get elected.
He can't get elected because you won't vote for him.
You agree with his policies but you won't vote for him.
I am sorry, but I do not understand this logic.
CEO's, Wall Street bankers, and the movers and shakers all get ONE VOTE.
We out numbered them in the millions.
We all get ONE VOTE.
Bernie can win.
Bernie should win.
This country needs Bernie.
Now go ahead and jump all over me or have me kicked off DU.
I have not said anything hateful.
I have just stated my opinion.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Bill USA
(6,436 posts)Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)out of the game.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)to vote.
I've heard some of the dumbest excuses for not voting.
I think of it this way...people have died over trying to get their right to vote. I have that right in America and I always use it.
calimary
(81,546 posts)If you stay home on Election Day - you'll give the bad guys a leg up.
THEIR votes will count and yours won't.
THEIR agenda will move forward and yours won't.
THEIR voices will be heard and yours won't.
THEIR wishes will be granted and yours won't.
THEIR priorities will dominate, and yours won't.
Your apathy is THEIR best friend.