If by apathy one means not caring, what is going on out here is not apathy. People are watching, they care, and they’re getting angrier and more desperate. However, there is a broad consensus among the bottom percentage of the income distribution that “politics doesn’t work. Who we elect doesn’t matter. Once they’re elected they can’t keep their promises, they can’t deliver anyway, and then they get sucked into the system and lose touch with us.”
Our life experience supports the view that when “well-to-do people” strongly support a position it is likely to become law, but what “middle-income people” overwhelmingly want makes no difference at all in what laws get passed.
For many “middle income” voters, not voting is a matter of principle, a kind of protest that they - and sometimes their parents and their parents’ parents - have been engaging in nearly every year for the past 10, 20, sometimes 30 or 40 years. Source
Our life experience supports the view that when “well-to-do people” strongly support a position it is likely to become law, but what “middle-income people” overwhelmingly want makes no difference at all in what laws get passed.
For many “middle income” voters, not voting is a matter of principle, a kind of protest that they - and sometimes their parents and their parents’ parents - have been engaging in nearly every year for the past 10, 20, sometimes 30 or 40 years. Source
6 comments:
Just over 1200 people voting for one candidate yesterday could have elected one city councilman at large. That is fewer people than in precincts 1 & 2 only.
It was unfortunate that people were advised to split their vote.
I have never understood the "not voting" protest. My aunt, now 90, never voted, but always complained about government, etc. I wonder how those who do not vote would react if the right were taken from us.
I knew that I would be out of state during the election so I voted EARLY. There is NO REASON, unless you are in a coma, not to vote. My father always said, "do not complain about elected officials if you did not vote." He told me that when I turned 18 and I am now 50 and remember those words vividly....having passed them down to my own children.
17.5% voter turnout.
"My vote won't make a difference, so why should I vote?" is the most pathetic excuse ever offered. Every vote makes a difference. Ask Beth Akeson (the new council member who lost to Tim Riggenbach by 12 votes in the previous election), ask any candidate. The number of votes always elects the candidates who will make the difference. Two problems can be addressed. #1. Teach your children and yourself to FOCUS and LISTEN! I am constantly appalled by the answer when I ask people about issues before the City Council or other matters. "Aw, that stuff is too boring to listen to." or "Man, I just don't get what they are saying." PAY ATTENTION AND REALIZE THESE PEOPLE WILL BE AFFECTING YOUR LIFE! #2. Quit acting like the victim. Victims are disenfranchised and powerless, victims are content to simply sit back and watch the events unfold.
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