General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOn Voting
I take voting very seriously. I have voted in virtually every election since reaching voting age. Ive also invested time and effort in voting registration drives over the years, primarily targeting two populations: those in low-income neighborhoods, and young adults. Voter registration is important, but to reach its full potential, it should be one part of a program that includes voter education, and voter participation.
Over the decades, I have also been a volunteer in dozens of campaigns. In more recent years, Ive run numerous local and regional political campaigns. I do not charge so much as a penny for my efforts, nor accepted gas money, etc. I am involved in political campaigns for the same reason that I have been involved in social movements during these same years: I believe in what I do. It is a matter of conscience.
Voting is a right, and a responsibility. It is not a privilege. Those who think they have a right to deny others their right to vote have an unethical sense of entitlement. Those who insist that everyone has an obligation to vote exactly as they do has a sense of privilege. Those who attempt to make others feel guilty about how they vote, or insult others for doing so, are foolish. Everyone has the right to vote as their conscience tells them to.
Im not sure who I will vote for in the Democratic presidential primary. Theres plenty of time for me to decide. But even in that -- a primary, not a general election -- Ill vote according to who I believe is the best candidate. None of the announced Democratic candidates is perfect. They each have strengths and weaknesses. I will continue to evaluate each one of them.
What I wont do is allow other people to decide for me. Those who make a strong case for a particular candidate may influence my thinking, to some extent. And Ill ignore those who channel hatred, hurl insults, and/or attempt to instill a sense of collective guilt by way of mis-using sociological terms. For it would not be fair to judge any candidate, based upon the toxicity and ignorance of some of their followers.
Peace,
H2O Man
Gothmog
(145,124 posts)I have been volunteering on voter protection operations since 2004. I nearly went to Florida for the 2000 mess and by the time I was able to get away from the office, the SCOTUS had ruled. Since that election, I have volunteered to help protect the vote and have trained poll watchers and run a regional boilerroom for the Democratic Party for the last three cycles.
Voting is an important right and need to protected
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)And keep up the Good Work!
We should all be active in the Good Fight.
AuntPatsy
(9,904 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)I think a lot of us feel this way.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,580 posts)What a great essay! Thank you for your clear, lucid thinking.
This sentence really spoke to me, and I'm sure it will to many others:
For it would not be fair to judge any candidate, based upon the toxicity and ignorance of some of their followers.
K&R
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)I always appreciate your kindness. You make DU a great place to be!
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)You do understand that the OP about 'privilege' was talking about not voting for the eventual nominee because one wanted another nominee, it was not discussing Primary cycle choices. Talking about the general election.
As I said in the thread, not voting for the Democrat when the other choice is a Republican might not be about privilege but it sure is stupid. I stand by that statement.
babylonsister
(171,056 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)Old Codger
(4,205 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)That said, I still think we can make voting much easier, much simpler and legislation to that extent would only benefit the strength of our democracy.
Probably why groups like ALEC and Heritage try to restrict it, try to create the new Jim Crow and labor so hard to disrupt, deceive and alienate so many. All thanks to those who devote and donate so much money and labor to the corporations who give so gladly to them in return.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)My oldest sibling has never voted. That's a failure to take the responsibility of citizenship seriously. I have no respect for that.
It would be better if those on DU who spend a great amount of time and energy arguing about one candidate versus another (in the primaries) would invest some of that time and energy in registering voters. Because, in the final analysis, that is the #1 problem. It's not, for example, that 20% of the population votes republican. It's that so many more do not vote at all.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)The privatization of our educational system is going to produce even more apathy. More drones just smart enough to pull the levers while never questioning what the lever does.
I too have family who have never voted. But then, I know they haven't had the education I have had either or better to say, the desire for education in the same realm perhaps.
It doesn't make me better, it just means I know how the sausages are made. I have a hard time blaming them when I know they don't know any better and they mean well enough.
Good people, just, modern life is so hard in this land where nobody will lend you a hand unless yours is holding a dollar.
And so many who should know better, so many of the most highly liberally educated people in this country are working and putting their talents behind the very institutions destroying & defrauding them. Is it any wonder so many are lost?