why bother voting

[charabby]

ITA I mean we are a democracy right? And if that is the case then Gore should have won then. I didn't really follow politics before and now that I do I don't like the way it is run. I know it has run this way for years. But like I said why bother voting if it means nothing.

Haven't finished the thread yet, and probably not the first one to say this, but NO, we are not a democracy. We are a democratic republic. Which means individual votes are not counted directly. Rather, our votes are represented among govt officials and systmes like the electoral college.

 

[Becky2005]

Well as a Missourian it is important to ME.

I'm sure it is but I would think it would be frustrating to know they have already declared the President before your votes are even counted. I know I would be frustrated.

I suppose if your person won, you would be fine with it but still would think as much as they push "every vote counts" and then well...the race is declared before a whole state is decided, doesn't really seem to indicate that every vote counted.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm sure it is but I would think it would be frustrating to know they have already declared the President before your votes are even counted. I know I would be frustrated.

I suppose if your person won, you would be fine with it but still would think as much as they push "every vote counts" and then well...the race is declared before a whole state is decided, doesn't really seem to indicate that every vote counted.

Are you kidding me?

They go county by county and know how many votes are to be counted.

Once it reaches a number that they know it is a win they can call it.

 

[kelleigh1]

Here are the latest numbers. Looks to me like Obama won the popular vote too, so...


Barack Obama (Dem) (Popular) 62,447,040 (Electoral) 349
John McCain (Rep) (Popular) 55,389,846 (Electoral) 162

And last I checked, Missouri is 49% to 49% with only around 6,000 votes separating.

 

[Kathi OD]

ITA I mean we are a democracy right? And if that is the case then Gore should have won then. I didn't really follow politics before and now that I do I don't like the way it is run. I know it has run this way for years. But like I said why bother voting if it means nothing.

But it does mean something. In order for a candidate to get the electoral votes, they have to win the state. They can only win the state if their supporters show up and vote for them.

I think that just proves the point though about the electoral college -- it's obvious then all the votes in Missouri mean nothing at this point, the race is already over due to the electoral college.

It won't matter which way the state goes, it won't change the results.

Seeing as there were a total of about 3million votes in Missouri and Obama is ahead in the popular vote by about 7million votes, even if the entire state went for McCain, Obama would still win. So either way, popular vote or electoral vote, the national results won't change.

 

[wdhinn89]

Why do you feel that way? I've felt for a long time that the system is flawed, that is one of the reasons I don't get into politics or even really care about pesidential elections. It's a shame when the popular vote of the whole country means nothing.

I do agree with you on this (I live in NY and my vote doesn't count) but the flip side to that is Gore would then have been president based on the popular vote and considering how he "lost it" after the election maybe it is a good thing.

 

[Crankyshank]

Why bother voting? First of all because it is your civic duty. Secondly because you are voting for more than the President.
I am saddened that so many people are apathetic towards their local and state elections. If you want change - change from the local level up.