Human Stupidity

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Malachite	22 Apr 2002
I started thinking about this after watching a BBC news report interviewing French voters... Lots of the people interviewed had voted for lePen, the 'fascist' candidate, just so that Chirac didn't win with a huge majority. And are then surprised that he got lots of votes. When the US 2000 election was underway, I talked to several American voters who voted Bush, just so that Gore wouldn't get in, and worried about the world military stability problems afterwards. WHY? Why do people not simply vote for who they want to be in power? The principle of democratic elections is that you choose who represents your views best, and vote for them. With the UK local elections coming up in a fortnight, and the US midterms later this year, i think, I want to make this statement. Vote, don't abstain. Millions of people who didn't have the right to vote fought for it. You can choose your government. Only then do you have the right to complain about them. Sitting on your backside grumbling and backseat-driving doesn't change the world we all live in. Raising your hand and being counted does. Vote for who you support. Even if they're a two bit party with 'no-hope'. Because if you vote for them, and follow your heart, you'll be being true to yourself. And maybe, if you convince someone else to be true to themself as well, they'll vote the same way. Who knows? Maybe if people in the US had done this, we'd be seeing President Nader on the tv these days. All you can be in this life is honest and true to yourself, and your own beliefs. Please, do this. Don't let politics fall into the hands of two-party states and the vocal minority. Raise your voice in the song that is the thread of humanity.

purplelady	22 Apr 2002
Malachite, I DID vote for the guy I wanted even though he was a "2 bit party with no hope of winning"! I got a lot of flak for "wasting my vote" too! I refused to vote for one guy I couldn't stand just because another guy Who's political party I didn't want to win was his opponent!! Oh well! Afterward , some pretty negative views/ information about Nader was broadcast on one of the t.v. shows. Who knows what is true?

Malachite	22 Apr 2002
YAY! Well Done! And I'm Serious!

Liliana	22 Apr 2002
Yeah its sad, young people in America dont vote, old people in America dont vote, theres A LOT who dont do it.My grandparents never registered their entire life because they were told taxes were based on voter registration (wrong :P ) Young people just dont care. Me I was soooo excited to vote in my first presidential election, and I never miss a presidential vote, I always try and make the otherv otes too. The people in the election place here know me and my husband cause I think we are the only young people who go in and vote (with our two kids in tow lol) But thereis times when Im neutral on one party but hate the other so Ill vote for the one Im neutral on, this next election I know Ill be voting for the looser, just because the guy I dont like the name of another official who was popular (his father) he will win, because names in Americamean more than what you stand for (Bush)

Butterfly	22 Apr 2002
It's compulsory to vote in Australia, but I don't know how many people take it seriously. Why should they- the politicians completely ignore the youth vote. Our national youth radio station has a wonderful morning show, full of talkback, fantastic interviews and educational stories. the politicians from the two major parties refuse to talk on the show, despite the extensive coverage and evaluation that the show gives to politics. A lot of younger listeners would like non-compulsory voting from 16-18 and then compulsory for those over 18 (which it currently is).

Umbrae	22 Apr 2002
Ya gotta vote. And vote with your heart, vote the truth. Even if it may seem to be a lost cause, you must do it because it is right and true…for you. Over here, our media is sooo far from the truth, it becomes difficult to find out who to listen to…so you must listen to them all. Malachite was right on…go back and re-read it… However, it all comes down to this…Protest signs do not change the world. Action changes the world. Giving money to Greenpeace is nice, and sets well upon our consciousness. However you are giving of yourself for someone else to do your work for you! Stop it! If you want to do a job right, do it yourself. Ya gotta walk the walk. Every day. Live the example of your beliefs and desires. You change the world one person at a time. I change the world one person at a time. If you are too busy? Guess what… Wanna change the world? Read the works of Edward Abby...begin with "The Monkey Wrench Gang" He started it all....

Kiama	23 Apr 2002
I read in the papers last night that only 58% of the French voters voted. Apparantly, England is no better. I was quite surprised! I am still too young to vote at the moment, and it seems I was born at the wrong time, cuz I really wanted to take part in the local electiocn is two weeks. (I shall vote for them in my mind instead!) However, as someone who is very good at sitting down on my backside and grumbling about things (Thankyou Adam for eloquently making everybody aware of that in the Spirituality forum...) I know that it is more difficult to get off that backside and do something. Its one thing to vote. That's easy... But then we get to the action that Umbrae is talking about, which is alot harder. Kiama *Still too young, physically, to vote.*

Diana	23 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Giving money to Greenpeace is nice, and sets well upon our consciousness. (...................) If you want to do a job right, do it yourself. Umbrae: how about giving money to Greenpeace AND getting some individual action done? That's what I do, anyway. I'd find it really hard right now as a mother whose kid needs me at home, to go into the ocean on a Zodiac and hassle the baddies (although the idea is tempting. Maybe when my kid's grown up?). So I give money to Greenpeace and Amnesty International, but I also participate on the local level in any actions I can, 'cos that's what I can influence the most at the present time. Giving money is not always just a way of getting rid of one's bad conscience - it's also a way of allowing other people to do a job that one is unable to do oneself, due to personal constraints. And for sharing one's wealth with those who need it.

Liliana	23 Apr 2002
I couldnt find any recent stats, but Ifound an articlefrom the 70's that less than half of the eligible voters in America vote, I think I have to agree thats proaly still accurate, it may even be lower now, a country based on Democracy not even taking time tovote, its sad

Malachite	23 Apr 2002
In the 2001 UK General election, of all people registered to vote, 24% voted for the winning party. 42% did not even express their opinion. its worrying.

Geenius at Wrok	23 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Wanna change the world? Read the works of Edward Abby...begin with "The Monkey Wrench Gang" It's an entertaining read, but I'm not sure that eco-vandalism and polyamory are really the recipe for political progress.

Morgeinne	28 Apr 2002
One of the reasons I can't wait until I'm 18 is so I can vote and have more of a say in politics. As much as the stupidity in political matters annoys me, I am an opinionated person. I will debate my views on sensitive issues, and I have many of them...I would have voted for Nader had I been old enough, as I said somewhere else, I can't stand the Bush admin, and also Gore...well my parents said that I should have supported him because I'm *supposed* to be a democrat, and for a similar reason to what (I think it was Malachite) said...just so Bush wouldn't end up as president. That's just a stupid view of the situation, to tell you the truth...I, as well, refuse to play the "lesser of two evils" game. Because of it, Mephistopheles breeds and lives...because of it, there is violence and hatred in this world. *hugs* Morgeinne

The Human Stupidity thread was originally posted on 22 Apr 2002 in the Chat board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Chat, or read more archived threads.