And that if you don't vote when you can, you shouldn't (not CAN'T, never 'can't,') complain most of the time, but this year....
This year.
I was registered on time. I've been following things, planning to cast my own vote (the 'Deez Nutz' ticket, if anyone's curious.) But when it came down to actually going today, seeing every single Trump sign up and down the roads, knowing just how the ticket would fall regardless of whatever I did.
Call me a coward, but I stayed home.
I'm watching the inevitable happen. One of the two candidates who are viable in our "of course it isn't a two party system" two party system is going to win. Honestly? I'm not sure who would be better or worse.
I commend everyone in the US who took the time to cast their vote. Regardless of who it was for, you exercised your right to choose, and that's what's important here. This year, I actively chose not to vote. Call it a weak protest, but in the end I feel it's the best option I could have taken.
Good luck to everyone.
Melanie E.
Comments
At this point, I'm thankful
I'm not only Canadian, but live far enough north of the border to see the lunatics on approach. I've said my piece on the qualities (?) of the two candidates (?) in question ... frankly the best possible option would have been every single voter showing up at the ballot box and pencilling in "None Of The Above". Hopelessly optimistic of me, I know, but at least THAT might have sent a sufficiently loud message to be heard. Laying in supplies of sandbags and emergency supplies.
You only have to see one TV
You only have to see one TV news over the last three months to realise that the chances of every voter spoiling their vote is total zilch. And the more ordinary people who spoil their vote the less representative will the winning candidate be. Those who spoil their vote are not helping democracy, they are helping to destroy it.
As someone who has been to several election counts, I can tell you that no one takes much notice of things written on ballot papers unless its very offensive about one or more of the candidates. It may then raise a brief titter on an otherwise long and gruelling evening.
If you want to get a message across, the ballot paper is the worst place to put it.
We can all whinge about the quality of candidates, but how do you suggest they are improved?
Sadly I'm too old to move to Canada
But I might not have a choice if he wins. I can see trans rights will head into a very cold winter in the US if the electorate who supports trump has anything to say about it.
hope lives
since the area in Florida that usually has the votes that match the next president has voted Hillary in we can hope trump gets pummeled.
Stupidity is a capital offense. A summary not indictable.
We have vote by mail.
I voted a week ago. But I understand your feelings.
Gwen
so
Your inertia helped the result - every vote counts and you effectively voted for the 'winner'.
Madeline Anafrid Bell
If the only choices are
vote for someone with no chance or vote between two evils, neither of which you feel you can support, then where is the choice, really?
I voted for no-one, because no-one was worthy of my vote. To pick the lesser of two evils, to me, would be an even worse travesty since it would simply tell the system I'm willing to take what they'll give me rather than demanding something I legitimately support.
It's a no-win situation.
Melanie E.
Down ballot choices
Yes, but you also failed to vote for any of the other candidates on the ballot. What about your representative in Congress? I don't know what state you live in, but in California we also elected a Senator, state senators, state assembly representatives, city council and school board members, and had seventeen state-wide propositions and bond issues, plus several more local issues to vote on. By being so disgusted with the choice of presidential candidates, you failed to exercise your obligation in a democracy to choose the direction of all levels which govern us.
Those I will take credit for.
Though, in all honesty, I've been so worried about the Clinton/Trump fiasco that I didn't spare a moment's thought for who was running for the state/local positions or what their stances were, so I'd have been voting blind anyway. It's my own dumb fault on that level, but still.
Melanie E.
I Voted, I volunteered.
The result, in my opinion, is still a disaster in the making.
The outright hatred, bigotry, racism, sexism, and disgusting level of vitriol was Waaaaaay beyond what any decent human who is not a sociopath should find acceptable.
I'm afraid the result will be a rubber stamp for whatever lunacy roils it's way up from the depths.
I mourn and pray for the future generations that have to pick up the pieces. They are the ones that will suffer most.;(
Severely Saddened,
Jonelle
[email protected]
I agree
I agree