I choose not to vote....

[cheewiee]

http://www.local6.com/news/12933300/detail.html

I think that this is one of the best ideas to come along in a long time. It's too bad however it isn't a winnable option forcing a second special election.

[rossid]

I posted some time ago that I would write in rather than vote for a pro-abortion candidate. I think I would still prefer a write in to this option.

[The Unknown Gomer]

My motto for years has been "Don't vote, it just encourages them!" :P

I like the idea of having a place on the ballot that says "both candidates blow chunks, so I'm voting for neither." I've always thought that "choice C - None of the above" should be an option on ballots.

Check out the poll results -

When asked: Do you think adding "I choose not to vote" to a ballot is a good idea?

67% (1332 votes) said yes
33% (651 votes) said no

What I want to know is where's the third option on that poll to choose neither? :D

[Jason]

What I want to know is where's the third option on that poll to choose neither? :D

Bwahahahahaha!

[Mandy Robbins]

LOL!!!

[clemsontigers23]

If Giuliani (pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage) gets the Republican nomination, I might 'choose not to vote'

[Jake]

And we know that all these anit-abortion, anti-gay people have done SOOOOO much to eliminate both of those things...:rolleyes:

[cheewiee]

And we know that all these anit-abortion, anti-gay people have done SOOOOO much to eliminate both of those things...:rolleyes:

With all do respect, President Bush has done far more to eliminate abortion than any other conservative, or democratic President has. See the recent partial birth abortion ruling in favor of a Law he pressed, and signed into law. Keep in mind 2 of the Judges from the majority opinion were judges he nominated.

[Pouye]

A few quotes from Mark Twain:


"If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it."

"In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in
almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination."

"Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human
soul."

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your
government when it deserves it."

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress.
But I repeat myself."

"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time
to reform."

"America is a nation without a distinct criminal class with the
possible exception of Congress."

-----------

:D

[clemsontigers23]

And we know that all these anit-abortion, anti-gay people have done SOOOOO much to eliminate both of those things...:rolleyes:

Yeah, they really have. They're making great strides in both areas. If anyone's got any morals left in America then they'll fight to block both of these things. The day gay marriage is legalized is the day I lose faith in America.

[prettymuchsam]

wait, isn't the choosing not to vote option the same as not showing up to the polls at all?

[cheewiee]

wait, isn't the choosing not to vote option the same as not showing up to the polls at all?

Not necessarly...

On many ballots there are a number of ballot initiatives, as well as any number of other races where there may be candidates worth voting for.

The ability to refrain a vote on a ballot is something that can be recorded, and results posted...

[Evanescence]

*Thinks Third Day message board should start 3rd party*

[HotWireD]

When I was at college in the 1980's the college elections on many campuses would have a third option. I recall one university had a hamster standing that won the election! One college had a 'pipe smoking' party (that had soap bubble pipes).

Some colleges did use the 'none of the above' ticket.

I recall the British Medical Association elections during the same period where two people were standing and there was a very high 'spoiled vote' - I believe it was around 90% plus. The newspapers made a big issue that it was amazing that doctors could not fill in a voting slip properly. It appeared to me that the doctors cdid not want either of the people standing and did not have a third option so spoiled their votes in protest.

I think a 'none of the above' would be fine - so long as the situation is followed (if 'none of the above' is the majority vote) that the parties have to re-run the election, after changing their policies. If this was repeated until a party won, and the party then had to stand by their manifesto, this would mean that the people would be dictating what they want.


Regarding the quotes (which I like :) I recall a quote, although do not know who said it...

"I do not vote FOR a party I want, I vote AGAINST the party I do not want".

Although this may be true for many people, it can lead to problems - in France the National Front Party got a very large proportion of the Primary vote, by people voting against the main parties because none of them were satisfactory. At least it sent a message to the main parties that they had to pull their socks up and start listening to the Pople.

[HotWireD]

Not necessarly...

On many ballots there are a number of ballot initiatives, as well as any number of other races where there may be candidates worth voting for.

The ability to refrain a vote on a ballot is something that can be recorded, and results posted...

Posting the 'none of the above' and spoiled vote numbers would be great. It would send a message not only to the politicians, who would realise they are not listening to the people, but also to the other disatisfied voters that they are not alone in the feelings about the main parties.

[bholdj]

If anyone's got any morals left in America then they'll fight to block both of these things.

Wanna know what Nelson Mandela did after his 27 year stay in jail in Africa? The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission created by Mandela says it all. His vision was not the elimination of the people who terrorized Africa. But gaining there understanding, and reconciling with them.

If America does legalize Gay Marriage. Christians, myself included would do well to try to understand the gay community, not turn away from them. If so, we would be no different than the hundreds of human rights abusers in the history of the world. Take it to the bank.