The great big "I will be excercising my right not to vote" thread

[Destruction]

AKA "You voted and it made no difference".

Coming soon....

 

[Mr. Scruff]

For once I'm with Dessy. The democratic system in Britain is not fit for purpose and no amount of empty platitudes insisting not voting is the problem will change that.

 

[Alty]

Who says not voting is the problem? There are a multitude of problems. But let's not kid ourselves and say that abstaining is the solution either.

 

[silkyman]

I'm very tempted not to bother this time. The tories and their predecessors have won every election in Macc for a century, and it's not even been a close call since the 70s.

Not much point.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

I don't really understand why you seem to regard not voting as a badge of honour, Des? If you don't vote it's unclear what message you're trying to convey - is it none of the above, is it any of the above or do you simply not care? Whatever the reason, non voting will simply be viewed as an expression of apathy, as a tacit endorsement of the status quo. They'll make noises about engaging voters, but there's little reason why politicians especially ought to care that you didn't make it down to the polling booth - at the end of the day it's not harming their party's vote share. Ultimately, the reason why young people get so reliably and consistently screwed over by those in power is because they don't vote in sufficient numbers. It seems inadvisable for us not to vote.

I do fully understand a lot of the frustrations, and I do rather think that a lot of us aren't provided with a great incentive for voting for any given party. However, I do think politics is always essentially going to be about compromise. That's true of party politics and it's true of those of us engaging in the political process as electors. There's unlikely to be a party that represents all our values and ideals and so we have to find the next best thing. If that's not possible - if you really think that all of the parties are as bad as each other, if you think the whole process is rotten - then why not spoil your ballot? At least then you're expressing anger, disillusionment, something.

 

[RavenBish]

Draw a big dick on the ballot, that'll show 'em.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

I imagine that such anatomical depictions account for a very high proportion of spoilt ballots. Nothing quite says sod the lot of you like a great big cock and balls

 

[silkyman]

I suspect 'The great big spunky cock party' would win a couple of seats.

 

[sl1k]

Whether you're disillusioned with politics or not, abstaining is the least productive thing to do. It's pretty much a free pass to the controlling establishment, while further disconnecting us - the population - from influence over our lives/communities/policy.

Unless ofcourse you are proactively trying to establish an alternative system of politics.

 

[Destruction]

I don't really understand why you seem to regard not voting as a badge of honour, Des? If you don't vote it's unclear what message you're trying to convey - is it none of the above, is it any of the above or do you simply not care? Whatever the reason, non voting will simply be viewed as an expression of apathy, as a tacit endorsement of the status quo. They'll make noises about engaging voters, but there's little reason why politicians especially ought to care that you didn't make it down to the polling booth - at the end of the day it's not harming their party's vote share. Ultimately, the reason why young people get so reliably and consistently screwed over by those in power is because they don't vote in sufficient numbers. It seems inadvisable for us not to vote.

I do fully understand a lot of the frustrations, and I do rather think that a lot of us aren't provided with a great incentive for voting for any given party. However, I do think politics is always essentially going to be about compromise. That's true of party politics and it's true of those of us engaging in the political process as electors. There's unlikely to be a party that represents all our values and ideals and so we have to find the next best thing. If that's not possible - if you really think that all of the parties are as bad as each other, if you think the whole process is rotten - then why not spoil your ballot? At least then you're expressing anger, disillusionment, something.

Hi mate, thanks for the post.

Can you tell me this, why should I vote? What are the positive reasons to do so?

Cheers.

 

[Techno Natch]

I appreciate why some people don't want to vote but I would advise them to look at the bigger picture.

You might feel that whatever government is in power wont affect you personally but what about everyone else?

This government has been a utter disaster for a number of things that are important to me but probably don't directly affect me. (Drug policy/treatment, Badger cull, Fracking etc)

That is enough reason for me to try to engage and hopefully encourage some change even though the chances are slim. Voting is just a small part of that action.

What do you hope to achieve by not voting? Or is it just so you can smugly say to your friends that you didn't vote because it doesn't make any difference and at least you didn't engage the system?

Are you doing different things? I don't know your other views so you could well be leading protests against voting reform which would be cool.

Much better than chatting rubbish on a football forum anyway.

So go ahead mate don't vote. It's nothing special it's what lots of people do and it plays directly into politicians hands.

 

[Destruction]

I appreciate why some people don't want to vote but I would advise them to look at the bigger picture.

You might feel that whatever government is in power wont affect you personally but what about everyone else?

This government has been a utter disaster for a number of things that are important to me but probably don't directly affect me. (Drug policy/treatment, Badger cull, Fracking etc)

That is enough reason for me to try to engage and hopefully encourage some change even though the chances are slim. Voting is just a small part of that action.

What do you hope to achieve by not voting? Or is it just so you can smugly say to your friends that you didn't vote because it doesn't make any difference and at least you didn't engage the system?

Are you doing different things? I don't know your other views so you could well be leading protests against voting reform which would be cool.

Much better than chatting rubbish on a football forum anyway.

So go ahead mate don't vote. It's nothing special it's what lots of people do and it plays directly into politicians hands.

Hi mate.

Where in the current system has voting got you in the past? Do you feel government and politicians are currently getting more in touch with the people of this country and the issues many people face? Or are they getting further away?

I personally see the system is so ridiculously flawed that to take part only encourages the wankers. The day we are given the chance to vote on a different method of electing those in power, where they are made accountable for their promises and decisions, is the day I'll get of my arse and vote.

Until then I'll leave you lot to enjoy your elected government, with the current mob in power having not received a single vote in the last election. Brilliant eh?

 

[Techno Natch]

Okay so you feel that the current system is rubbish. What are you doing to change that? Genuinely intrigued.

 

[Destruction]

Okay so you feel that the current system is rubbish. What are you doing to change that? Genuinely intrigued.

Hi mate.

My attack plan is 3 fold.

1) Don't vote. Don't partake. Don't encourage the madness.

2) Voice my opinion in a public arena, such as this. Prior to the closure of TFF I had an audience of roughly 20,000 I was able to subtly influence on a daily basis.

3) Educate. Everyone knows the best way to change the future is by passing wisdom onto the next generation, and then hoping they will have the intelligence and strength to do what we have failed to. As such I'm currently training to be a teacher.

Hope this helps mate, cheers.

 

[Techno Natch]

Ah okay so nothing then really beyond chatting on a football forum. I see.

What are your ideas by the way? I'd quite happily get behind people if they want to actually do something other than sitting at home wanking over Russell Brand because they feel he's justified their apathy.

There are ways that people who feel like you can unite and actually fuck things up in May, but I suspect most of them are happy doing what you're doing. Nothing.

Good luck buddy I'm sure its the likes of you that will make changes in the future.

 

[Destruction]

Are you able to answer my questions from earlier on yet?

TIA.

 

[Techno Natch]

Where in the current system has voting got you in the past?

The people who I voted for didn't get into power unfortunately. That's how democracy works. The people that voted the Conservatives are probably quite happy with what's happened though.

The people I voted for wouldn't have made cuts so deep and fucked over so many people that I've come into contact with. They definitely wouldn't have gone ahead with the Cull. I guess not enough people saw these issues as important enough to vote for.

It shouldn't be about what can they do for me but rather what can they do for those that need help? Thats how I look at it anyway. I'll probably be comfortable whatever.

Do you feel government and politicians are currently getting more in touch with the people of this country and the issues many people face? Or are they getting further away?

I would say that that the ring wing appear to be getting in touch with their voters.

I agree though they live in a totally different world to the people they claim to represent but I don't see how not voting or doing something else is going to stop that.

-----------------------

As I said voting is a small way you can get involved in seeing the changes you want to see. If you feel like you're doing enough then that's fair enough but I'd certainly feel I could do more.

If I could see a real alternative movement that was even mildly convincing I'd probably get on bored with it. Sitting at home and doing nothing just doesn't engage me sadly.

 

[Destruction]

Just found out the school I'm doing a teaching placement at is a polling station on voting day, so I've got the day off. Result.

That's the first good thing an election has ever done for me. I might be coming round to this whole voting thing.

 

[Dr Mantis Toboggan]

Hi mate.

My attack plan is 3 fold.

1) Don't vote. Don't partake. Don't encourage the madness.

2) Voice my opinion in a public arena, such as this. Prior to the closure of TFF I had an audience of roughly 20,000 I was able to subtly influence on a daily basis.

3) Educate. Everyone knows the best way to change the future is by passing wisdom onto the next generation, and then hoping they will have the intelligence and strength to do what we have failed to. As such I'm currently training to be a teacher.

Hope this helps mate, cheers.

the last point is a terrifying one

 

[Red]

Dessie, I totally get where you're coming from given what the political landscape has been like, but that is starting to change. More and more people are turning to the smaller parties and as such they are growing. Natalie Bennett said that in a recent poll 25% of people would vote Green if they thought they had a chance of winning. I just reckon things are changing for the better and burying your head in the sand doesn't help.

 

[Modernist]

Anyone who has the right and doesn't vote is an idiot.

 

[Red]

Anyone who has the right and doesn't vote is an idiot.

A lot of them tend to moan about things too, despite the fact they didn't vote.

 

[TomPNE94]

Anyone who has the right and doesn't vote is an idiot.

Nah, I just don't give a shit.

 

[Red]

 

[Tilbury]

Anyone who has the right and doesn't vote is an idiot.

Nah, I just don't give a shit.

Point proven?

 

[Red]

Ahhh the joys of living in your own little bubble where nothing matters.

 

[TomPNE94]

Personally I think you're the idiots for believing anything they say or do. They're all the same, not one of them has the best interests of the common man at heart, it's all about personal gain for them.

Enjoy voting, I hope you all feel really satisfied when your vote has no effect on the outcome

 

[Red]

I'd say the Greens have the interests of the common person at heart. Like Dessie then as you're not voting you won't be complaining about any political laws etc enacted over the next 5 years. I get what you're saying to some extent, but I see it as a damage limitation exercise. As shit as that is, it's the most I feel I can contribute to. Do you think the bedroom tax is fair? If not you have the opportunity to contribute ti getting it repealed.

 

[Tilbury]

Personally I think you're the idiots for believing anything they say or do. They're all the same, not one of them has the best interests of the common man at heart, it's all about personal gain for them.

Enjoy voting, I hope you all feel really satisfied when your vote has no effect on the outcome

There's a difference between just not giving a shit and making a conscious decision to not vote.

 

[Stringy]

Anyone who has the right and doesn't vote is an idiot.

I don't have any communists to vote for.