General Discussion

99Forever

(14,524 posts)

28. It doesn't require that we "understand" not voting.

Sat Nov 8, 2014, 02:35 PM

Nov 2014

I've never missed a vote since 1972 when I first became eligible, including primaries, and can't comprehend a "why" either.

But we have to get passed the blame the non-voter crap and really do what it takes to get them engaged. I suspect that what that is, is LISTENING to them and then ACTUALLY FIGHTING tooth and nail to address their issues. Just giving lip-service during the run ups to elections doesn't cut it.

The powers that be in the Democratic Party have steadfastly REFUSED to do that, instead we get nothing but empty promises and utter disappointment. My experiences trying to "work from the inside" during '08, '10, and '12 showed me that it's next to impossible to get anything thru the entrenched establishment of even the local party "elite." I won't waste my time doing that again.

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I couldn't wait to vote when I turned 21. [View all] MineralMan Nov 2014 OP

I didn't turn 21 until the 1970 election. Faux pas Nov 2014 #1

It doesn't seem like that is the feeling these days. MineralMan Nov 2014 #2

I remember being 'politically involved' Faux pas Nov 2014 #9

I remember discussing the news in social studies MineralMan Nov 2014 #12

Yep Current Events were a big part of school back in Faux pas Nov 2014 #18

Yup. We started getting Weekly Reader in first grade. MineralMan Nov 2014 #21

My grandmother and great grandmother were Suffragettes Warpy Nov 2014 #3

They surely knew the importance of voting. MineralMan Nov 2014 #5

Turnouts have been pretty dismal my whole life Warpy Nov 2014 #14

What excellently cool grand-moms you had Warpy. Faux pas Nov 2014 #11

Grandparents on the other side had a cross burned on the front lawn Warpy Nov 2014 #15

lolol Faux pas Nov 2014 #19

My grandmother stole my grandfather's car LeftInTX Nov 2014 #37

Well, supposedly the Celts either originated there Warpy Nov 2014 #40

It was her husband not her grandfather - lol LeftInTX Nov 2014 #46

Well, he was a fool, too Warpy Nov 2014 #47

I'm guessing Greeks, Armenians, or Lebanese? Odin2005 Nov 2014 #43

Armenian LeftInTX Nov 2014 #44

I was just a few months too young to vote for Al Gore in 2000. True Blue Door Nov 2014 #4

There have been many elections when things did not go MineralMan Nov 2014 #8

My first primary vote was for Jerry Brown for Gov along with a No on Prop 13 Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #6

I remember the Briggs Amendment, too. MineralMan Nov 2014 #22

in the 60's we were going to change the world. hollysmom Nov 2014 #7

And we did change the world. MineralMan Nov 2014 #10

Here's an actual ad from the 1968 election. It strikes me as fairly negative and intense..... Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #13

Meanwhile Tricky Dickie undermined peace efforts... roamer65 Nov 2014 #20

I voted for Humphrey, he was very pro labor. hollysmom Nov 2014 #49

I voted at 18 in Kentucky. kentuck Nov 2014 #16

Interesting. I was not aware of that. MineralMan Nov 2014 #17

1966 was my first vote too. And, it was for Pat Brown. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2014 #23

Yes. We got to learn about futility just two years later. MineralMan Nov 2014 #25

I voted for Eldridge Cleaver and the Peace & Freedom party in '68. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2014 #27

Give the young people candidates that address THEIR issues and problems... 99Forever Nov 2014 #24

Oh, there were plenty of frustrating elections MineralMan Nov 2014 #26

It doesn't require that we "understand" not voting. 99Forever Nov 2014 #28

I'm not talking about "we." I'm talking about me. MineralMan Nov 2014 #29

I've never missed an election... kentuck Nov 2014 #30

Thank you for that. MineralMan Nov 2014 #31

Unfortunately, that inability F4lconF16 Nov 2014 #50

But of course there are non-partisan offices and ballot measures nearly every election Johonny Nov 2014 #38

Yes, "both candidates are the same" shows a great deal of ignorance. Most ballots have a ton of Chathamization Nov 2014 #53

My best friend in high school worked for the Gary Hart for Senate campaign. CrispyQ Nov 2014 #32

My first vote was for Dukakis, the least inspiring candidate ever. Codeine Nov 2014 #33

amen steve2470 Nov 2014 #34

Exactly. MineralMan Nov 2014 #48

Your attitude in this post captures one F4lconF16 Nov 2014 #51

good OP, MM ! nt steve2470 Nov 2014 #35

The first time I ever voted after I turned 21 was for JFK. RebelOne Nov 2014 #36

I couldn't wait either bigwillq Nov 2014 #39

Me too MM mcar Nov 2014 #41

I turned 18 in April 2004. Odin2005 Nov 2014 #42

i registered to vote a few days after my 18th birthday and was so excited to do so fizzgig Nov 2014 #45

Great Americans suffered and died for the right to Vote.. they didn't give up.. they were fighters. Cha Nov 2014 #52