[Peace-discuss] Not voting

[C. G. Estabrook]

I always vote.  Perhaps it's what Dr. Johnson said about second 
marriages: the triumph of hope over experience...


John W. wrote:
> At 06:51 AM 1/29/2008, C. G. Estabrook wrote:
> 
>> Actually, the opposite is probably the case.  By getting you to 
>> participate in the highly conditioned system that produces a 
>> president, the USG claims that you've ratified it.
>>
>> Example: everyone within the limits of allowable debate discusses the 
>> "Reagan landslide" produced by the "great communicator." In fact, 
>> three out of four eligible voters did *not* vote for Reagan in 1980 
>> and 1984 (Half didn't vote, and he took half of the votes of those who 
>> did.)  But he was said to have a mandate.
>>
>> In fact, outside of the "tertiary bourgeoisie" (roughly the 
>> college-educated third of the population), Americans know that the 
>> presidential election is a matter for the advertising industry (hence 
>> its expense), the media, and a peculiar group of celebrities -- "show 
>> business for ugly people."
>>
>> As Chomsky says, you have to be highly educated to believe nonsense 
>> like this, and most Americans don't.  They don't vote, not because 
>> they're content (they're not), but because they know that it won't 
>> make much difference.
>>
>> Think of the presidential elections in your lifetime: can you say that 
>> things would have been substantially different if the principal 
>> opponent had won? (Kerry? Gore? Dole? Bush Sr.? Carter? etc.) The 
>> system has been designed by means of the greatest American invention 
>> -- the PR industry -- so that it's largely a matter of indifference to 
>> those who hold wealth and power in this country, who actually is elected.
>>
>> But they do want you to ratify it. --CGE
> 
> 
> So, Carl...Leaving aside your own candidacy as a putative Green for the 
> U.S. House of Representatives, when's the last time you voted in a 
> general election?
> 
> 
> 
>> Karen Medina wrote:
>>
>>> Silence means consent.
>>> If you are happy and content, then stay home.
>