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Today's Poll: Are you voting today?

By Howard B. Owens
Doug Yeomans

Only in America can people be so pompous choosing not to vote. In other countries where voting is a life threatening experience, citizens turn out in droves.

Nov 6, 2012, 10:35am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Not voting can also be a protest. Abstaining sends a message, too.

I'm not saying any of our non-voters in this poll are not voting for any principled reason, but not voting is as much a right as voting.

Some countries get 110 percent turn out -- at the point of a gun. Thank God we have the freedom to vote or not vote as we see fit.

Nov 6, 2012, 11:43am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

In this country, where nobody is forced to vote at gunpoint, it's irresponsible not to vote. Refusal to vote as a form of protest is childish. Of course, that's just my opinion. I see voting as a responsibility as much as a right. I feel that people died to give us the rights we have and the refusal to honor those rights is arrogant.

Nov 6, 2012, 11:49am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Not participating is a flaccid protest. It would make more sense to write in Daffy Duck or none of the above. ...At least those responses are tallied. What would happen if Daffy Duck garnered the most votes? Mel Blanc is dead; so is Bob Clampett. Would Warner Bros. president, Jeff Robinov, get the nod?

Nov 6, 2012, 2:38pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Non-participation at its current level should be a strong message to both major political parties that their current system is broken. Given the blithe disregard the parties have for that message, writing in Daffy Duck wouldn't improve matters.

(and for the record, I did vote today).

Nov 6, 2012, 2:45pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

My wife and I voted early this morning while the rest of the family voted by early
afternoon.

There were no life size murals of Obama on the walls in the polling area nor were there any New Black Panthers standing outside to suppress or intimidate the voters.

God Bless the good people of Batavia and Genesee County, regardless of their political persuasion and/or party affiliation for not allowing these type of debacles in our little part of the country.

Nov 6, 2012, 3:08pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

The only thing I have against non-voters are those who whine and moan about who was elected. If, you do not vote you do not have a right to complain about anything. Howard, our voting and political system has been broken for many decades and it has not improved. Like you mention in an earlier article, anyone running for President or any political office should be included in televised debates. Personally, I cannot understand who would want Obama for another four years. They are against Romney for speculation on his job performance. I do not know how Romney will do, but it cannot be any worst than, Obama's proven four years of failure! Obama has not talked about his accomplishments in great detail because, he has none. He bailed out the automotive industry? Really, bankruptcy would allow them to remain in business and force them to "cut the fat" out of their budgets until such time when they can get back on their feet. Ford seems to be managing just fine. Chevrolet seems to be the only vehicle manufacture to require government ownership. Obama care is not a good deal either. If, it is such a great program, then why are government employees (Congress, Senate and their staff) exempt from such a policy? He killed Bin Laden? BS, USN Seals killed Obama and any President in his right mind would have authorized it. Thank GOD Joe (a.k.a. THE GIGGLER) Biden was not seated as President or he would of called off the attack. Stimulus programs? Who and what did they benefit? Oh, I remember the wealthy and poor. Obama does not care about Middle Class nor does he care about America. He has lied point blank into all of our faces about Libya and allowed our fellow Americans to die in VANE! He keeps telling us that his failures stem from Bush's era. Really when does he realize that his failures belong to him and him alone. Amazing all the Bush/Republican haters do not cry foul when Obama LIES! Apparently, what is good for the Republicans is not good for the Demoncrats (a.k.a Liberals)!

We complain about the wealthy and their greed. What about the poor and their greed? I mean they want to be given more and more, without giving anything in return. At least the wealthy put something back into the pot.

Nov 6, 2012, 5:32pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I miss new material from George...sigh....

"I have solved this political dilemma in a very direct way: I don't vote. On Election Day, I stay home. I firmly believe that if you vote, you have no right to complain. Now, some people like to twist that around. They say, 'If you don't vote, you have no right to complain,' but where's the logic in that? If you vote, and you elect dishonest, incompetent politicians, and they get into office and screw everything up, you are responsible for what they have done. You voted them in. You caused the problem. You have no right to complain. I, on the other hand, who did not vote -- who did not even leave the house on Election Day -- am in no way responsible for that these politicians have done and have every right to complain about the mess that you created."

George Carlin

Nov 6, 2012, 8:01pm Permalink
Scott Blossom

What I teach my children is that you do not have to cast a ballot for every office listed. Those blanks get noticed. Also they have the right to cast a totaly blank ballot. That is the best alternative to a "none of the above" selection that alot of people I know would like to see. Those blanks do send a message. Stand up and be counted.

Yes I voted today.

Nov 6, 2012, 10:10pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I do agree that the best way to lodge a protest with the system is cast a blank ballot.

I'm just saying that not voting is a right, too.

I also don't want people voting who aren't informed.

Nov 6, 2012, 11:21pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

"I also don't want people voting who aren't informed." You would be blowing out about 75% of voters, Howard. I'd laugh, but I'm not so sure it's all that funny.

Nov 7, 2012, 7:55am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

I cannot tell the difference until they say "I did not vote." Yet they whine and complain! Perfect example, what was the estimate that did not vote this year? 45 million?

Nov 7, 2012, 10:02pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Yet they are still at fault because, their vote may have won the election for the other guy who would of done better. That is an easy game to play Doug.

Nov 7, 2012, 10:05pm Permalink

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