Oh, thank you. Really. I've seen this too and it drives me crazy. I'm appalled at people who say things like "it doesn't matter who's in office, it's always the same". No, actually, it isn't. And there are HUGE differences between these candidates. Inform yourself, you'll be surprised.
We are so lucky we get to vote and have some kind of voice in the people who govern us. Wasting it is just plain wrong. I feel even more strongly about that when it comes to women voters because we had to fight to get the right to vote, and less than 100 years ago too. There's just no excuse.
Here here!
It is downright DANGEROUS to be that apathetic, especially now.
An excellent post.
Thank you much for posting this. :)
Well said, Raina! I applaud you.
I don't know much about politics, but if you can't tell the difference, then maybe you shouldn't vote?
An uniformed vote is a dangerous vote and an uneducated vote is likely to be swayed by lies? ^_^;
True, but with the internet, it's *trivially* easy to get at least some idea, and it's just about impossible to avoid on TV even if you wanted to.
/stands up and BURSTS INTO APPLAUSE
ahhhhhh I know exactly how you feel! I usually try to keep quiet about this stuff on the internet but I really, really care about this election. I have a big long comic all penciled out on my desk about election woes and bad memories from 2004. I don't know if I'll finish it up or not, but every time I see a case of the "I don't cares" I get the urge to put down whatever I'm working on and ink that thing!
Leave it as loose pencils, letter it, and POST IT. Nobody will mind!
I won't be here in November, but I already signed up for my absentee ballot. It's too important!
There was this great piece on the daily show about this a while ago, they corralled the people who were pissed off about Hilary not winning into a little "day care" area at the Democratic convention and told them that they were being fucking babies and they should grow up and vote.
I can't agree with you more about this,it's not a freaking sports event it's something that decides who's in charge of our country!! How dare they sit around and feel sad their team didn't win! There are no teams, it's ridiculous!
Not to mention that while Hilary and Obama differ on many topics they are way way way more similar to each other than either were to John Mcain and it just makes me sad to think that Hilary supporters only loved her because she was a woman, or because she was a Clinton and not because of what she had to say or do, so much so that they would decide not to vote altogether.
UGH. I am so apathetic towards apathy! Get over it.
Man, it must be nice for you americans to have an election that *means* something.
We have a canadian election coming up. Except instead of it being exciting and important, we're trying to pick the lesser of two, maybe three, technically four or five beige retards.
Still gonna vote, though.
A lot of people try and paint our election in a similar fashion. "They're all the same" is one of the acronyms for "I don't care." It may be true in the case of Canada, and I do agree that our election is exciting and means something...but it could so easily mean nothing, if people aren't willing to stand up and scream about it. :)
Hear hear, Raina! I'm really glad you posted this. I'm feeling the same about the Canadian election, especially because the situation seems so much more hopeless up here that I'm afraid that people will become apathetic, when really their vote could totally make a difference.
Cool link! I'm glad my riding is in safe hands (if the data's representative).
err... feeling torn about strategic voting, though. On the one hand, it has the potential to be more valuable? On the other, I dunno if I could bring myself to vote for someone when either I disagree with their values or there is a candidate whose values I agree with more? Tricky.
Couldn't have said it any fucking better myself.
Here's your internet.
Ugh...I'm suffering from election fatigue. Not saying that I won't vote, but after watching the Debate, I have to say I'm not completely in Obama's court anymore. There was a lot of talking in circles on both of their parts. Really, whoever is elected is going to be cleaning up the mess of the past 8 + years, not exactly making all the changes that need to be undertaken. All their military talk really gets me depressed too.
It bothers me that it's impossible for third party candidates to get through the system to be able to debate as well. When McCain "suspended" his campaign and looked to be a no-show, both Ralph Nader and Bob Barr offered to take his spot and debate Obama. That would have been interesting.
Hey Alisa,
I felt exactly the same way after the debate. Especially because Ralph Nader was on Real Time With Bill Maher afterwards and it reminded me why I used to always support 3rd party candidates. I want to vote for an anti-war and anti-corporate president! I like Obama as a person but don't agree with some of his stances he has to take just to get elected. And thats' the deal with the two major candidates: They can't really be themselves. They have to do what they have to do to win.
But I'm going to vote for Obama because I HATE that the Republicans have made it a crime to flaunt intelligence. They always try to tear down people who come across as too much of a know it all. I want my presidents to be smarter than me! i don't want to have a beer with them!
Tell it, Raina! XD And early voting starts today in some states. I think in California it starts Oct. 4th! I actually haven't seen that much apathy myself, but a lot of the usual angry back and forth. I'm addicted to http://www.youtube.com/tpmtv ...
sorry that was me. i guess i'm not entitled to my opinion. i wont ever use a button like that ever again.
sorry.
You're absolutely entitled to your opinion--but be prepared to answer a LOT of questions about why, and how, and what made you come to the decision. I am trying to understand what it is that makes you not care. And, if I can help anyone think not caring through, I really really want to try. :)
I didn't want to address this away from my own site, and I don't want you to feel like you were coming under personal attack. My reaction has more to do with things I have seen elsewhere, and I am sorry if I have made you feel like your thoughts don't count. The point is, they DO count! And I hope you realize that!
Though I'm sure we have fairly opposite political views, I greatly appreciate and support this post. I am so SICK of people giving the same old "Oh fuff fuff, both candidates are the same, who cares who wins I'm going to go play my X-Box". It's weak, uneducated, and lame.
Political views are SO not what this is about, and I am extremely happy you commented! I'll take a spirited exchange over a Who-Cares ANY day. Thanks, Reagan. :)
There are allot of legitimate reasons to not want to care about this stuff. It's confusing, getting the straight story is difficult at best, and often the stuff you really care about doesn't even get brought up. And even worse, you pour your heart out for a candidate and they lose. Last election was the first election that I got my act together and payed attention. I desperately wanted Kerry to win and to stop this war and keep the country free, but it didn't happen and our country is in a nosedive. That aside, I felt very disheartened, but I knew I couldn't let it make me stop paying attention. If I did then I was allowing the opposition to go unchecked. If anything that election made me more crazy about information and to scrutinize the governments every move. The plus side of this is I know a tone more now than last time, and I have views on issues that are actually being talked about. So I guess what I'm saying is This whole process has benefited me greatly in the end regardless of who the winner was, and more informed voters benefits America.
Yay! :)
Life's too dang short not to care.
If some one doesn't vote they've got no place to complain as far as I'm concerned. Not voting, even if they don't like the people running, is a nice way fly their idiot flag.
Yeah all you Americans get out there and VOTE!!! No other country has so much sway over other countries (esp. your Northern Neighbor). Get on it, the world's counting on you! This whole economic disaster thing is starting to trickle over.
makes me happy to read a passionate and clear-headed political statement. thanks!
Thank you for posting this. If anyone knows any apathetic Canadians, I noticed the other day that the Edmonton Public Library's website has a long list of informative links about the federal election. (And no, this is not my library; I'm just plugging this list 'cause it looks useful. I work in New Brunswick.)
Count me as one of the people from the other side of the world who wishes i could vote in this election.
The last 8 years has had such a profound effect on the world as a whole that the next 8 are critical to it's future.
I have a little boy on the way. He's due in February. And all of a sudden something that was already critical to me has now become essential.
So voter apathy is pretty stunning to me...i honestly just do not get it.
Douglas!! You're having a kid?! This is cause for global celebration as far as I'm concerned. Congratulations! :D
I've really appreciated hearing your thoughts as this process has gone on. And for being vocal about it, even though you can't take part. I'd like to think we all listen to each other, and can inspire one another even across oceans. :) | 
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