General Discussion

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

40. No, the elitist approach is assuming the voters are not doing that.

Wed Apr 8, 2015, 11:07 AM

Apr 2015

Voters can and must educate and motivate ourselves, not wait around for someone to motivate us.

You're calling non-voters unmotivated and stupid. That might be a wee bit elitist, don'tcha think?

Well motivated and educated voters can make the choice to not vote. If they feel there is no candidate that represents them on the ballot, why should they show up anyway?

A while ago, I lived in a very red area of NY. It was quite common for there to be literally no Democrat on my ballot for many races. You are saying I was unmotivated and/or uneducated because I did not vote in those races, and did not show up if the ballot only contained those races.

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Ferguson Proves: Your Vote MATTERS. [View all] riqster Apr 2015 OP

+++ 1,000 +++ n/t RKP5637 Apr 2015 #1

TY. riqster Apr 2015 #10

That's a good start, but the real measure will be whether systematic changes happen. aikoaiko Apr 2015 #2

And whether voters remain engaged. riqster Apr 2015 #5

It is a great start. sheshe2 Apr 2015 #60

Certainly looks that way. riqster Apr 2015 #61

Word. RedCappedBandit Apr 2015 #3

Some of each, I would say. riqster Apr 2015 #7

This is great news! City Lights Apr 2015 #4

Thanks. I see other posts as well. riqster Apr 2015 #6

Now if they can do this in the next election, the citizens can have control of their own town. -none Apr 2015 #8

Exactly. riqster Apr 2015 #9

Good job, Citizens of Ferguson, keep participating! Dont call me Shirley Apr 2015 #11

Yep! riqster Apr 2015 #12

I thought of Ferguson yesterday as I was voting Sienna86 Apr 2015 #13

Agreed. When I saw them start GOTV right away, I was hopeful. riqster Apr 2015 #15

Good for them, long overdue CanonRay Apr 2015 #14

Well said. riqster Apr 2015 #16

Still only 30%. And two of the three were won by the de facto incumbents. ieoeja Apr 2015 #17

The highest turnout in ward history. riqster Apr 2015 #23

People In Ferguson Were Motivated...... global1 Apr 2015 #18

Very true. riqster Apr 2015 #24

Change is hard. We will lose many elections. jeff47 Apr 2015 #27

It Needs To Go Both Ways..... global1 Apr 2015 #41

IMO, you're reading too much into Chicago. jeff47 Apr 2015 #43

In Ferguson The People's Desire For Change Turned Into Change..... global1 Apr 2015 #50

Because candidates magically appear on the ballot. jeff47 Apr 2015 #51

President Obama has shouted the messsge of VOTE so many times he must be sick of saying so. Fred Sanders Apr 2015 #19

I am sure the anti-vote people will do their best to spin this their way. riqster Apr 2015 #25

Voting does matter. Dems, Green or other progressive/moderate groups need to Iliyah Apr 2015 #20

Candidates are not entitled to votes. Candidates have to earn votes. jeff47 Apr 2015 #22

Voters should just sit back and wait for a perfect candidate? riqster Apr 2015 #28

No, Ferguson proves busting your ass to get votes works. jeff47 Apr 2015 #21

Yes knocking on doors helps Andy823 Apr 2015 #26

That's why you knock on doors all day long. jeff47 Apr 2015 #32

Yes, GOTV efforts were crucial. They had tents set up right after the shit started to fly. riqster Apr 2015 #30

The alternative is blaming stupid voters for the loss. jeff47 Apr 2015 #33

That is a top-down, elitist approach. riqster Apr 2015 #34

No, the elitist approach is assuming the voters are not doing that. jeff47 Apr 2015 #40

No, I said no such thing. riqster Apr 2015 #42

It's the obvious implication from what you did say. jeff47 Apr 2015 #44

I am advocating active personal involvement. riqster Apr 2015 #45

Well, you're the one calling voters stupid and lazy. jeff47 Apr 2015 #46

And here is a short summation of mine: riqster Apr 2015 #47

Involvement does not equal results. jeff47 Apr 2015 #49

Telepathic, you're not. riqster Apr 2015 #57

More than double the typical turnout.. a great start.. mountain grammy Apr 2015 #29

A great achievement. riqster Apr 2015 #31

You bet it does, which is exactly why it has to be higher. mountain grammy Apr 2015 #35

True. Non-involvement emboldens and enables the PTB. riqster Apr 2015 #37

That is great news. Thank you for posting this! DrewFlorida Apr 2015 #36

Thanks. riqster Apr 2015 #38

Yep ,, Cryptoad Apr 2015 #39

Can felons vote in MO? When it comes to voting in Ferguson, I end up wondering how targeting ChisolmTrailDem Apr 2015 #48

Not sure. That varies from state to state. riqster Apr 2015 #53

Every vote counts. Not voting ends up hurting everyone. Rex Apr 2015 #52

I hammer away at GOTFV and election integrity for just that reason. riqster Apr 2015 #54

AMEN and AMEN!! uponit7771 Apr 2015 #55

GOTFV! riqster Apr 2015 #56

Well said rigster. nm rhett o rick Apr 2015 #58

Thanks Rick. riqster Apr 2015 #59

Voting does work. lovemydog Apr 2015 #62

Indeed. Local elections matter. riqster Apr 2015 #64

Absolutely! Egnever Apr 2015 #63

The"expert" interviewed in the MSM story downplayed the significance. riqster Apr 2015 #65