There are definitely some very thought-provoking statements made in this video and the article. I also could not agree more with the line used in the article, "voting is a leap of faith." In all honesty, it is very rare that when people do vote for a certain candidate, they like everything about that person. It essentially comes to a point where you have to jump on board with whoever you think has the best policies, even though it is unclear whether or not they will work once implemented. We basically just have to submit our vote and cross our fingers that things work out the way we hope. I understand why some people may choose to sit out when it comes to the election, especially after looking at this, but to me it does not lessen the importance of voting. Even though it can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating, I think we still need to take a step back some times and realize how fortunate we are to have this opportunity, compared to other countries.
In my opinion, the right to vote is one of the most fundamental and important elements of our constitution. I agree that presidents will try to persuade the nation and maybe be a bit overzealous in expressing their abilities to the country. However, I think that with this presidential race, it's clear to see the fundamental values for which the presidents stand. One could certainly make the case for Romney as a flip-flopper, but with such a national stage, he'll likely face a wave of backlash from the nation if he goes back on his word, so personally, I don't foresee that as an issue. For many people, even the youth, there is an extraordinary amount of impact the president will have, especially with regard to healthcare. In my opinion, the author doesn't acknowledge the difficulties or tradeoffs that exist in keeping up with current events and the presidents' plans. Maybe I am being naive, but after becoming more engaged in this election, there really isn't a reason for not voting other than ignorance, be it justified or not.
To me many of these arguments seem to be a bit over the top which may be the point of the video. However, one consideration that I find to be convincing in certain situations is a lack of commitment to any candidate. It seems in some situations you may agree with certain policies or ideas of one candidate and policies of another. This seems to be a very rare occurrence. However, it is quite unlikely that a voter agrees with everything that a particular candidate believes in. In these circumstances it is the choice of the voter. How willing are you to live with certain aspects that you disagree with about a certain candidate. Even in some cases it comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils.
I really liked the girl in the brown sweater with glasses in the video. She was so excited to vote because she had never done it before and because she couldn't see why anyone wouldn't want to, and of course because there are so many other people to meet while in line that its like a dating pool...I never though of that one before. I think I feel like my vote counts more since I am a resident of Michigan which is usually a swing state. If I lived in a state that always voted in a large majority against my political beliefs I would probably feel defeated and not want to vote. Nike should sponsor a campaign to get Americans to vote and use their slogan 'Just do it'.
I personally feel/think that it is important to vote, but I also understand where a lot of opposite arguments are coming from. The situations that the candidates are put in, their speeches, their policies, their idea, etc are something difficult to agree with and disappointments have happened in the past. In addition to this, there is always that feeling that your vote doesn't count since at the end of the day it comes down to who has more votes in the electoral college. Nonetheless, voting is a way to express you freedom of speech and choice. It important to say what you want and in some ways, a vote represents that. I do believe more young adults will be voting this tuesday.
I think that it is important to vote, even though it seems like it doesn't count it does, it will change what the outcome will be. I think its also more important to be involved in the election, I know many people, friends and family, who are voting based on others opinions, and do not take a look at what they are voting for themselves. I know that I am more involved in this election because I am able to vote, and I will be voting on Nov. 6. I think it is important because it shows that each citizen has a voice, and has a right to the participate and have a say on how this country should be led.
I think that everyone agrees that it is important to vote. But the concern, and belief that things-can-change has to be present int this as well. If Washington were in a state of perpetual grid-lock, I probably wouldn't vote myself. Plenty of uneducated people merely believe that the system will always let them down in America. Statements like "Why vote, it isn't going to change anything" give basis for the argument that voting is purely a waste of an individual's time. We can also relate this to the bystander effect. Some people don't see there vote as important on the larger scale, if so many other people around them vote regardless. One has to believe that their individual vote, will carry some element of power--to do it oftentimes. It is true that many young people's issues aren't brought up in broader political discussions. But this is largely because of their perpetual low voter turnouts. If young Americans voted as often as 30-50s, and the elderly, we would see the discussion-table take on new contexts in the coming years. Obama received a substantial portion of younger voters in 2008, because he put a heavy focus on them at the time. Touring college campuses like an alternative rock band. Various media arrangements such as the MTV forum, and dense groupings of commercials on teen-networks drove younger people in hordes to the poles. (For one of the first times in our nation.) Not until the baby-boomers start dying off, and stop voting, will see see a change in the issues up for discussion. Concerns like medical marijuana, abortion, and gay rights are prominent in the minds of young people. But to those flooding the poles from the nursing home bus--these issues are of little concern to date. Hence why we see politicians pandering moreso, to sectors of higher voting. Social security, medicare, and healthcare are 'grown-up' concerns. Until young people rise up, and give a voice to themselves united, we won't see any change in these discussions.
It is extremely important to vote. It is one of our rights as Americans that is undervalued. Getting your vote in, as minuscule as it may seem is so very important to be heard. Even though it may not seem, it does matter and just showing everyone else that you are using your rights is important as well. I will be voting and this is for the president of our country, probably the most important election we have that only happens every 4 years so there is no reason not to vote I don't think.
This is the kind of thing I was trying to allude to In our smaller discussion on Tuesday. These kind of demographic changes, between older and younger generations of Americans have left us at least marginally disenfranchised with the system as a whole. Some of us are being represented by one of two sides neither of whom we entirely identify with. This quite possibly breeds political instability of a lesser scale. Younger American's are unable to vote both parties out of office because there would be nothing to replace them as per the rules of the US Government. We need to allow the participation of other political parties in the greater federal system. By allowing us to find our own representation we could be much less prone to outright protests when we could do constructive work around a candidate we really believe in.
I will definitely be voting, but at the same time, I feel like in some ways my vote does not matter. There are no candidates who represent many of the issues that matter to me, and those who are closest to me on the political spectrum have no chance of winning. I have considered casting my vote for either the socialist or green party this year, as a vote of no confidence in the two party system, but honestly, i'm afraid that if I do, Romney might win, and I fear what might happen to our society under his leadership.
There are definitely some very thought-provoking statements made in this video and the article. I also could not agree more with the line used in the article, "voting is a leap of faith." In all honesty, it is very rare that when people do vote for a certain candidate, they like everything about that person. It essentially comes to a point where you have to jump on board with whoever you think has the best policies, even though it is unclear whether or not they will work once implemented. We basically just have to submit our vote and cross our fingers that things work out the way we hope. I understand why some people may choose to sit out when it comes to the election, especially after looking at this, but to me it does not lessen the importance of voting. Even though it can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating, I think we still need to take a step back some times and realize how fortunate we are to have this opportunity, compared to other countries.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the right to vote is one of the most fundamental and important elements of our constitution. I agree that presidents will try to persuade the nation and maybe be a bit overzealous in expressing their abilities to the country. However, I think that with this presidential race, it's clear to see the fundamental values for which the presidents stand. One could certainly make the case for Romney as a flip-flopper, but with such a national stage, he'll likely face a wave of backlash from the nation if he goes back on his word, so personally, I don't foresee that as an issue. For many people, even the youth, there is an extraordinary amount of impact the president will have, especially with regard to healthcare. In my opinion, the author doesn't acknowledge the difficulties or tradeoffs that exist in keeping up with current events and the presidents' plans. Maybe I am being naive, but after becoming more engaged in this election, there really isn't a reason for not voting other than ignorance, be it justified or not.
ReplyDeleteTo me many of these arguments seem to be a bit over the top which may be the point of the video. However, one consideration that I find to be convincing in certain situations is a lack of commitment to any candidate. It seems in some situations you may agree with certain policies or ideas of one candidate and policies of another. This seems to be a very rare occurrence. However, it is quite unlikely that a voter agrees with everything that a particular candidate believes in. In these circumstances it is the choice of the voter. How willing are you to live with certain aspects that you disagree with about a certain candidate. Even in some cases it comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the girl in the brown sweater with glasses in the video. She was so excited to vote because she had never done it before and because she couldn't see why anyone wouldn't want to, and of course because there are so many other people to meet while in line that its like a dating pool...I never though of that one before. I think I feel like my vote counts more since I am a resident of Michigan which is usually a swing state. If I lived in a state that always voted in a large majority against my political beliefs I would probably feel defeated and not want to vote. Nike should sponsor a campaign to get Americans to vote and use their slogan 'Just do it'.
ReplyDeleteI personally feel/think that it is important to vote, but I also understand where a lot of opposite arguments are coming from. The situations that the candidates are put in, their speeches, their policies, their idea, etc are something difficult to agree with and disappointments have happened in the past. In addition to this, there is always that feeling that your vote doesn't count since at the end of the day it comes down to who has more votes in the electoral college. Nonetheless, voting is a way to express you freedom of speech and choice. It important to say what you want and in some ways, a vote represents that. I do believe more young adults will be voting this tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important to vote, even though it seems like it doesn't count it does, it will change what the outcome will be. I think its also more important to be involved in the election, I know many people, friends and family, who are voting based on others opinions, and do not take a look at what they are voting for themselves. I know that I am more involved in this election because I am able to vote, and I will be voting on Nov. 6. I think it is important because it shows that each citizen has a voice, and has a right to the participate and have a say on how this country should be led.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone agrees that it is important to vote. But the concern, and belief that things-can-change has to be present int this as well. If Washington were in a state of perpetual grid-lock, I probably wouldn't vote myself. Plenty of uneducated people merely believe that the system will always let them down in America. Statements like "Why vote, it isn't going to change anything" give basis for the argument that voting is purely a waste of an individual's time.
ReplyDeleteWe can also relate this to the bystander effect. Some people don't see there vote as important on the larger scale, if so many other people around them vote regardless. One has to believe that their individual vote, will carry some element of power--to do it oftentimes.
It is true that many young people's issues aren't brought up in broader political discussions. But this is largely because of their perpetual low voter turnouts. If young Americans voted as often as 30-50s, and the elderly, we would see the discussion-table take on new contexts in the coming years. Obama received a substantial portion of younger voters in 2008, because he put a heavy focus on them at the time. Touring college campuses like an alternative rock band. Various media arrangements such as the MTV forum, and dense groupings of commercials on teen-networks drove younger people in hordes to the poles. (For one of the first times in our nation.) Not until the baby-boomers start dying off, and stop voting, will see see a change in the issues up for discussion. Concerns like medical marijuana, abortion, and gay rights are prominent in the minds of young people. But to those flooding the poles from the nursing home bus--these issues are of little concern to date. Hence why we see politicians pandering moreso, to sectors of higher voting. Social security, medicare, and healthcare are 'grown-up' concerns. Until young people rise up, and give a voice to themselves united, we won't see any change in these discussions.
It is extremely important to vote. It is one of our rights as Americans that is undervalued. Getting your vote in, as minuscule as it may seem is so very important to be heard. Even though it may not seem, it does matter and just showing everyone else that you are using your rights is important as well. I will be voting and this is for the president of our country, probably the most important election we have that only happens every 4 years so there is no reason not to vote I don't think.
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of thing I was trying to allude to In our smaller discussion on Tuesday. These kind of demographic changes, between older and younger generations of Americans have left us at least marginally disenfranchised with the system as a whole. Some of us are being represented by one of two sides neither of whom we entirely identify with. This quite possibly breeds political instability of a lesser scale. Younger American's are unable to vote both parties out of office because there would be nothing to replace them as per the rules of the US Government. We need to allow the participation of other political parties in the greater federal system. By allowing us to find our own representation we could be much less prone to outright protests when we could do constructive work around a candidate we really believe in.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be voting, but at the same time, I feel like in some ways my vote does not matter. There are no candidates who represent many of the issues that matter to me, and those who are closest to me on the political spectrum have no chance of winning. I have considered casting my vote for either the socialist or green party this year, as a vote of no confidence in the two party system, but honestly, i'm afraid that if I do, Romney might win, and I fear what might happen to our society under his leadership.
ReplyDelete