General Discussion

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)

72. Very difficult to address.

Sat Oct 25, 2014, 08:53 AM

Oct 2014

Your daughters thoughts are based in fact and do have merit. It also seems as though you raised a bright young woman and should be proud. Her mindset of voting for bought politicians is a difficult one. Does she continue to vote in a seriously flawed process? If she does vote, is she supporting the process itself? Those aren't easy questions to answer and are questions I have asked myself in the past. The Democratic Party has left me with pretty much two reasons and two reasons only to continue voting for them. First, the Supreme Court. Second, social issues. A small amount of ground has been made with certain social issues under this administration that would not have been made under a Republican administration. I cannot withhold my vote when the lives of my brothers and sisters are slightly improved under democratic leadership. I cannot skip the ballot box for those two reasons. The difference in these two areas is big.

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Tonight my own daughter broke my heart. On Facebook she announced that she is not voting. [View all] ancianita Oct 2014 OP

who are her candidates ? JI7 Oct 2014 #1

Good point! It's an angle I hadn't thought of in spite of my past statements to that effect here ancianita Oct 2014 #13

Where do you live? There are a lot of areas that are neck and neck and need her vote. I do not for jwirr Oct 2014 #79

Good grief - your daughter broke your heart by not voting? Yupster Oct 2014 #93

Sensitivity demwing Oct 2014 #190

If her problem is what she says it is, then she should vote for a third party candidate. NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #2

+1 liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #6

Or Just Write it IN!.. Just Vote for all the Women and Blacks who got the Right to Vote for Us.. Cha Oct 2014 #10

I like that approach, too. Write in who you think should have been running. NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #11

Precisely.. been thinking about this a lot.. Cha Oct 2014 #24

how is that any better? Travis_0004 Oct 2014 #62

Well, where there might not be a third party candidate, for example. NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #89

It's not wasted time if it reminds them that numbers matter. JHB Oct 2014 #91

Thank you. I'll be sure to do just that. ancianita Oct 2014 #14

+++ 1,0000 +++ n/t RKP5637 Oct 2014 #106

It is a sad state of affairs when you must advise "if you can't voter FOR someone, you can vote uppityperson Oct 2014 #3

I See That A Lot Here ProfessorGAC Oct 2014 #61

I helped get Reagan in by voting for John Anderson back when I was an idealistic youth voter uppityperson Oct 2014 #130

even if sabbat hunter Oct 2014 #151

Finding a way to get money out of politics could be just as big as fighting for the right to vote. liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #4

Wait, 35 is "disengaged youth"??? LeftyMom Oct 2014 #5

Heh heh! Yeah. Guess I'm that old. ancianita Oct 2014 #15

I am in my late thirties and have become disillusioned as well. I wonder if the mid to late thirties liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #22

I'm in my 20s redruddyred Oct 2014 #46

Reap what you sow taught_me_patience Oct 2014 #7

Your response is heartfelt, ancianita..I know how this must be for you. If either of my kids would Cha Oct 2014 #8

Your support is much appreciated, Cha. Man, I know I'm tired when I forget to bring THAT one up! ancianita Oct 2014 #16

Manana! Cha Oct 2014 #25

supreme court. as a woman, for all the daughters, the supreme court. it is that simple for me. seabeyond Oct 2014 #9

Sea, I can't believe I forgot to bring that up. I'll get back to her on this immediately. ancianita Oct 2014 #17

she made the declaration. and she probably knows where you sit, lol. like starting an OP seabeyond Oct 2014 #20

Man, I don't know...I never thought our relationship would come to be like this... ancianita Oct 2014 #27

Because of this one post? Dorian Gray Oct 2014 #63

Tell her that she is going to have to live by the rules they make. She can help put the ones shraby Oct 2014 #12

I will. And thanks. ancianita Oct 2014 #18

she is the same age i am and that is not "the youth" vote JI7 Oct 2014 #19

You're right. She's an X-er. ancianita Oct 2014 #28

Bush drove me over the edge. Kath1 Oct 2014 #30

Bush drove me to always vote Democrat no matter what. DCBob Oct 2014 #180

I'd ask her if she really cares about things like choice, peace and marriage equality. Kath1 Oct 2014 #21

Right? I just thought we were past all that stuff. Her reasoning seems decidedly too shallow ancianita Oct 2014 #26

Being a single mom made me even MORE engaged. Kath1 Oct 2014 #29

Me, too! I was her single mom, so she saw my politics and knew the issues as I knew them. ancianita Oct 2014 #31

None of us are immune to the the politics of this country. Kath1 Oct 2014 #36

... ancianita Oct 2014 #175

peace? Doctor_J Oct 2014 #153

`;(..... TeeYiYi Oct 2014 #23

We forget how hard those women fought for the vote.... riversedge Oct 2014 #54

Ancianita needs to send this to her daughter! n/t ReRe Oct 2014 #55

I posted it! ancianita Oct 2014 #177

History tells a story! ;-) n/t ReRe Oct 2014 #186

Tell her "Way to opt out of which party picks the Supreme Court which will determine HER--not your - MADem Oct 2014 #32

Seriously, what parent is ever sure. Okay, here's an updated response to her friends' FB comments. ancianita Oct 2014 #33

Don't let it get to you...there's no point in getting stressed. MADem Oct 2014 #47

Haha. Thanks! Love it! ancianita Oct 2014 #176

Youth isn't disengaged, they just don't like voting for the lesser of two evils davidn3600 Oct 2014 #34

+1 liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #35

They are not wrong. But I'm so tired right now, all that comes to mind is my favorite movie joke: ancianita Oct 2014 #37

They are not wrong... BUT.... Adrahil Oct 2014 #78

Staying at home isn't the solution and won't change anything for the better, only the worse. CrispyQ Oct 2014 #92

+1 lunasun Oct 2014 #134

I felt that way my first election but never considered not voting. Once in my life I did not vote, a uppityperson Oct 2014 #128

The lesser of two evils, is still evil - Jerry Garcia grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #139

Yeah both Dems and Republicans want mandatory Vaginal Probes emulatorloo Oct 2014 #146

They both forgive torture - is that evil? grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #148

Awesome non sequitur emulatorloo Oct 2014 #155

I agree. I also understand how we alienate voters by standing up for evils such as torture. grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #168

i find people who talk about lesser of 2 evils in politics to view politics as if it's religion JI7 Oct 2014 #143

I voted today. Too bad I'm in freakin' Idaho and as far as I know, none brewens Oct 2014 #38

One of my children doesn't vote Not a Fan Oct 2014 #39

Thanks. I probably won't give up on her, either. If this is helpful and seems to support this view. ancianita Oct 2014 #99

I lost a sister to that line of thinking loyalsister Oct 2014 #40

I understand the passion involved but is it freedom if you are coerced or forced into it? liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #41

Who is talking about forcing anyone? loyalsister Oct 2014 #45

Well.... Your post is a wholE lotta WTF Adrahil Oct 2014 #84

Right?? If you're talking about my OP. Sorry this response seems wrongly placed. ancianita Oct 2014 #174

yes. barbtries Oct 2014 #42

I'll bet the older boys are single without children, too. LuvLoogie Oct 2014 #73

I agree with your daughter 100% MyNameGoesHere Oct 2014 #43

Pigs, wings, etc. WinkyDink Oct 2014 #57

The teabaggers would all still vote. PassingFair Oct 2014 #81

Dope, you're smoking it. Adrahil Oct 2014 #82

Not a necessary response about the dope. MyNameGoesHere Oct 2014 #147

Sorry I hurt your feelings. Adrahil Oct 2014 #159

Feelingd hurt? No MyNameGoesHere Oct 2014 #187

why would that be more powerful than a large vote total going to other people? JHB Oct 2014 #108

No. The message would be "Hey thanks for handing over the government. NYC Liberal Oct 2014 #161

My daughter is the same way ... DrBulldog Oct 2014 #44

I think she is wrong, and that it is sad that too many LeftishBrit Oct 2014 #48

Casting a ballot for a regressive is also very regressive Scootaloo Oct 2014 #49

Just ask her what the alternative is... world wide wally Oct 2014 #50

That's been my MO. Demanding answers doesn't work with her ancianita Oct 2014 #102

Two of my sons have made the decision not to vote. defacto7 Oct 2014 #51

She's surrendering to the very forces she's complaining about. Good thing she wants to help them. nt TeamPooka Oct 2014 #52

Great way of putting it! treestar Oct 2014 #70

Thank you. It's just sad. nt TeamPooka Oct 2014 #127

So sorry, ancianita. How sad that alternative media has taken another for a ride. freshwest Oct 2014 #53

Exactly my sentiments. But she's been swayed back to voting third party by her FB friends, ancianita Oct 2014 #101

A woman who can't discern the difference between Parties regarding women's issues? Oy. WinkyDink Oct 2014 #56

Somone on DU... ReRe Oct 2014 #58

Thank you, ReRe! ancianita Oct 2014 #103

TELL HER IT IS VERY SIMPLE: Quitting is no option in life. If you don't vote, don't complain.EVER. RBInMaine Oct 2014 #59

It is her life and her choice and she is an adult Youdontwantthetruth Oct 2014 #60

What path is that? arcane1 Oct 2014 #145

I'm sad for you too coldean Oct 2014 #64

and one other thing to bring up coldean Oct 2014 #65

I like this. I'm going to use this. ancianita Oct 2014 #104

I don't think the woman cares about what is in their heart of hearts but rather what they actually TheKentuckian Oct 2014 #191

What I tell people that announce they don't see the point in voting is Live and Learn Oct 2014 #66

Why should you be surprised? I see that opinion expressed here almost daily. brooklynite Oct 2014 #67

Because everything I've done, from my job to my personal interests, has, in some way, been ancianita Oct 2014 #105

This message was self-deleted by its author Drayden Oct 2014 #118

Nah, she is making her own decision. wildeyed Oct 2014 #68

It's about harm reduction, and it sucks that that's what it's about, BUT stillwaiting Oct 2014 #69

So she's refusing to do anything until someone hands her better options? randome Oct 2014 #71

Exactly. It's about the big long term consequences of isolated acts taken collectively. ancianita Oct 2014 #109

Very difficult to address. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #72

Perhaps you need to reassess your priorities jehop61 Oct 2014 #74

You're right. Making effort and progress on all that. . ancianita Oct 2014 #112

Why would this surprise anyone? 99Forever Oct 2014 #75

Tell her to vote anyways tabbycat31 Oct 2014 #76

Tell her this: it DOES make a difference. Adrahil Oct 2014 #77

Why isn't she voting for herself? She DOES have a choice. JHB Oct 2014 #80

I SO love this post. NT Adrahil Oct 2014 #83

Exactly what the 1%ers want rock Oct 2014 #85

Someone on DU posted this & I posted it on my FB page. Maybe you should too? CrispyQ Oct 2014 #86

I love that! nt Live and Learn Oct 2014 #88

Inform her that her vote will count triple in the midterm election. Live and Learn Oct 2014 #87

So she wants to wait around until better alternatives magically appear? SheilaT Oct 2014 #90

One can understand her views, because essentially that is what things have become. There was always still_one Oct 2014 #94

She one step ahead of republican voters. A positive, great start! maced666 Oct 2014 #95

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2014 #96

This will be my daughter's first azmom Oct 2014 #97

One of my friends said something similar recently A Little Weird Oct 2014 #98

My answers to your questions LWolf Oct 2014 #100

I know. And I've even tempered some solicited advice at times, knowing that her path is hers, ancianita Oct 2014 #111

Sometimes LWolf Oct 2014 #116

+100000 Good answers. woo me with science Oct 2014 #173

When a critical mass gets there, LWolf Oct 2014 #185

i saw this on fb. put it on your wall. make your own statement seabeyond Oct 2014 #107

Thanks! I've got a profile pic about 'good people' voting in bad politicians by not voting, too. ancianita Oct 2014 #110

My son, and alot of his FB friends forthemiddle Oct 2014 #113

Thanks for this! Because the more I understand how youth think, the more I'm able to ancianita Oct 2014 #114

I'd say 1) there are usually local measures to vote for, even if you don't care for the 'parties', Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #115

A million thanks to you all! I feel so much better, can collect my thoughts better and ancianita Oct 2014 #117

Good news coldean Oct 2014 #119

My old mother told me similar, and that she decided who to vote for based on 1 issue. There are too uppityperson Oct 2014 #135

This message might be useful. LiberalFighter Oct 2014 #120

Exactly right. GoCubsGo Oct 2014 #122

She can't stand memes. I've posted it, though. Thank you. ancianita Oct 2014 #126

Sadly I feel she has a great point. Glassunion Oct 2014 #121

I'm going to try and be a voice of reason Marrah_G Oct 2014 #123

Thank you. I realize all that you say, and her decision hit me at a weak moment. Best to look ancianita Oct 2014 #125

Tell her that to not vote is Not Rebellion ~ It is Surrender! nt eowyn_of_rohan Oct 2014 #124

Indeed it is. Hugin Oct 2014 #133

OMG !! Rhinodawg Oct 2014 #129

Have you explained to her that her not voting gives the worst two votes? Hugin Oct 2014 #131

Amen! I said he midterm votes count waay more than votes in the general. Make them steal ancianita Oct 2014 #140

It's been fueled by RW media tactics targeting the idealists blm Oct 2014 #132

If you get pissed of that the streets are dirty, you shouldn't say that trash cans are useless and Chathamization Oct 2014 #136

Best outcome, teach her how to look up campaign contributions and support Common Cause. mahina Oct 2014 #137

I knew the new war would be the death knell for 2014:( grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #138

I don't generally find label based arguments to be compelling. ZombieHorde Oct 2014 #141

I appreciate the invitational mode of discussing idea, and we've got time for me to try that. ancianita Oct 2014 #142

Here's a graphic you might consider posting to her timeline . . . markpkessinger Oct 2014 #144

Very good! grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #149

... Lady Freedom Returns Oct 2014 #150

The right wing,like the Birchers and Koch Bros have been pushing "They are all the same" meme. greatlaurel Oct 2014 #152

Thanks, greatlaurel. This is an idea I'm sure she can appreciate. I'll run it by her. ancianita Oct 2014 #154

So glad you liked the idea! greatlaurel Oct 2014 #160

Nope ProudToBeBlueInRhody Oct 2014 #156

Wouldn't be the first adult reality she's learned the hard way, either. She thinks that by owning ancianita Oct 2014 #158

she's figured things out it seems Doctor_J Oct 2014 #157

Hope she's not in TN Tsiyu Oct 2014 #162

Not TN; just outside Chicago, and I can see that her FB friends are convincing her. Thanks! ancianita Oct 2014 #166

I hope she doesn't face an unwanted pregnancy in a state run by republicans. KittyWampus Oct 2014 #163

Please advise her to look at the facts ... sunnystarr Oct 2014 #164

Could be worse, my daughter votes republican now marlakay Oct 2014 #165

Sorry for this. But at least she votes. People often adapt to the political environment they're in. ancianita Oct 2014 #167

Thanks for understanding marlakay Oct 2014 #172

Your daughter didn't break your heart. mstinamotorcity2 Oct 2014 #169

Thank you. Maybe she didn't break it, but she sure hurt it. It felt like it was punched. And your ancianita Oct 2014 #170

When your daughter says how unfair something is... mstinamotorcity2 Oct 2014 #171

Well, that's going to happen after decades of Third Wayers selling us out. Marr Oct 2014 #178

Third Way's a dot org, apparently. ancianita Oct 2014 #181

Challenge her to do something else if she feels voting doesn't work for her... Become a PCP cascadiance Oct 2014 #179

What's a PCP, again? All that comes to mind are a drug or a primary care physician. lol ancianita Oct 2014 #182

I am voting and I will DRIVE you to the polls HockeyMom Oct 2014 #183

Happy it worked for you. I did that once, but now if I did that she'd laugh me out of her driveway. ancianita Oct 2014 #184

I'm slowly getting to be of the same mind, unfortunately. AngryOldDem Oct 2014 #188

My son told me that he would not vote demwing Oct 2014 #189