Why should we vote?

[mutley]

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/2bu/2bu/view/20100313-258295/Why-we-should-vote


Stop sitting around and waiting for the world to change; be part of the change you seek
THERE ARE OVER 50 million registered voters for the upcoming 2010 national elections—the most in Philippine history. That’s five million more than the 2007 elections.

But why do we have to vote? Simply because we are Filipinos living in a democratic country. Vote because you can! Voting is the most basic way to exercise democracy. In other parts of the world, citizens pay with their lives for this sacred right.

The United Kingdom and Ireland didn’t allow Roman Catholics to vote for 65 years. Kuwait only legalized women’s suffrage five years ago, while some states in the US still require a kind of “literacy test” and proof of elementary education.

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Interesting Article from the Philippines, but is its advise correct?

I only voted for the first time in the Recent Euro Elections, and my motivation was that people had been murdered as part of a civil rights campaign and I thought, that I had no right not to vote.
Yet in Northern Ireland and the Republic, voter apathy is understandable as there is not really any choice, and if there was any choice, would it really make any difference?
So should we go out and vote, simply because we have the right to do so, or has 'democracy' been shown to be a scam, is it time for a new system, or should we accept our lot, get on with life and not vote?

[C. Flower]

Unless there is a very definite reason to boycott, I would always vote for the "least bad" choice. There is always someone to vote against most, even if none of the candidates are any good.
And there is always the option to stand for election.

[Baron von Biffo]

Unless there is a very definite reason to boycott, I would always vote for the "least bad" choice. There is always someone to vote against most, even if none of the candidates are any good.
And there is always the option to stand for election.

Voting against Cowen wont be as much fun as voting against Parlon. And alas it wont be as successful either :(

[moss]

There should be a 'None of the Above' option on every ballot paper imo.
Media doesn't cover spoilt votes as being of any significance (too many ticks etc) and voter turnout is usually referred to as though those that don't vote are just too lazy.

If there is a 75% turnout in an election and 25% tick the none of the above box then maybe media would pay more attention to the problem.

I'd have no problem going out to vote for none of the above.

[Tony1975]

I have to say, I might not vote in the next election. I'm still sour after Lisbon II. I'm stunned that the Irish people allowed themselves to be pressured into towing the line - twice in less than ten years.
I've been a conscientious voter for many years. But I've come to realise that no matter how much effort I put into my decision, I am out numbered 10-1, 20-1, 50-1 by people who will do what they are told or who will vote how their parents voted.
It's extremely disheartening.

[moss]

Last time I voted was for the SEA.
Bit off topic but heres a bit about them from a resident blogger.

http://irishelectionliterature.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/eamonn-mccann-socialist-environmental-alliance-2005-foyle/

I haven't voted now in several years and probably won't for several more.

The reason I voted last time was, as cactus says, I voted for the least worst from my point of view. Not because I was totally supportive of the party.