Disappointment in Obama leads some African Americans to ask: Is voting even worth it?

[jeff47]

91. We do not line up behind leaders.

That's the point in a democracy - leaders have to represent the people. We don't line up behind them and do as they say just because of their position.

Which means it's messy. Politicians have to wrangle the people into backing them. They do not get automatic backing except among a small portion of the electorate.

Government affects your life in very real ways. You should care and get informed and vote regardless of being catered to.

The fallacy of this argument is that people are not lining up because they are uninformed. They are failing to line up because they have been informed that they will not get what they want.

There are nuances in how they will be hurt. But they know they will be hurt and not helped.

Pretending the candidates need to be flashier or more to your liking in order for you to bother voting is what gets us a billion dollar campaign season.

The public at large is not nearly as vapid as you believe when it comes to politics. They see the last 40 years has resulted in shredding the safety net and shitting on everyone with less than a million in the bank. And those acts were accomplished by both parties.

"Vote for me or the demons will get you" does not work for Democratic candidates. Because the voters terrified of demons are in the other party. Democratic candidates have to give a reason for someone to vote for them, not only give reasons to vote against their opponent.