Why vote?

[Jenisi]

I'm writing a speech targeted at Americans 25 and younger to persuade them to vote. So far the excuses I got on my survey's were along the lines of "I hate Politics", "I don't know how to vote" and "I don't have time to get informed". What tactics do you think would be the best to use on the "I don't give a shit" ideology.

PS Even if they said they did vote, 60% felt their vote doesn't matter.

[Xaerve]

I think a common response is, "my vote does not count/matter" in the grand scheme.

I think the individuals who "don't give a shit" shouldn't vote.

That being said, I think noting how things effect them directly--based on the individuals they elect (locally and nationally)--is an effective approach.

[Sean]

Step 1 is getting them even registered to vote.

[Skeeter]

Since your vote really doesn't count, I would think focusing on Civic duty and some form of peer pressure is your best bet.

[Stanley Burrell]

Tell them that a survey says 9 out of 10 womens want to do the debacled fourteen-orificed sex with voters. People are pretty gullible. And stupid as hell.

Debacled and orifced = now words.

[TheEschaton]

Get them all together and have them read anything about the election in 2000, which I'm guessing they were about 14 for. If they aren't superbly enraged like I've been for the past 8 years, revoke their citizenship. That's the kind of bullshit us immigrants come here to avoid.

-TheE-

[Sean of the Thread]

Hahaha was wondering how long the 2000 election tears started flowing in this thread.

[Gan]

Get them all together and have them read anything about the election in 2000, which I'm guessing they were about 14 for. If they aren't superbly enraged like I've been for the past 8 years, revoke their citizenship. That's the kind of bullshit us immigrants come here to avoid.

-TheE-


Hahaha was wondering how long the 2000 election tears started flowing in this thread.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/3strangedays/hillary.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/3strangedays/DemocraticSeal.jpg

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Tell them if they don't vote, they cannot have a political opinion for the next 4 years.

No bitching about taxes, foreign policy, gas prices, smoking laws, abortion. Nothing. Give linkages to things that 25 year olds care about like cell phones, drinking, baggy pants and One Tree Hill. People only care about what affects them for the most part.

[Stanley Burrell]

It's a pretty serious crime not to vote in many hemispheres of the world. Usually if you add a worthless opinion to that tag, it incurs that much more penalization. I dunno if you can make people appreciate their own ability not to vote in lieu of that, but just having resided in countries where those laws are in place, it'd be nice if the American population could understand that freedom, which won't happen, but still.

[g++]

I think the main problem is people under 25 have very little in common with main stream America and the electoral process produces candidates that in no way represent their interests. I dont blame young people for not voting because the two candidates they get to choose from are usually different sides of the same "Give me your money so I can give it to old people" coin. You could argue this happens as a result of young people not voting, but I doubt it would make a difference. The AARP is going to be more powerful than a student union no matter how interested young people are in the system.

[Methais]

I'm writing a speech targeted at Americans 25 and younger to persuade them to vote. So far the excuses I got on my survey's were along the lines of "I hate Politics", "I don't know how to vote" and "I don't have time to get informed". What tactics do you think would be the best to use on the "I don't give a shit" ideology.

PS Even if they said they did vote, 60% felt their vote doesn't matter.

Offer BJs.

No matter who you vote for, you're going to be voting for someone who is full of shit. That's why I don't vote. Though I guess I could vote for the one who is least full of shit. But since they're all so good at being full of shit, it's hard to tell.

Just offer BJs.

[Sylvan Dreams]

Your employer is required to give you time off to vote, but they're not required to pay you for it. That is why a lot of people that I know don't vote.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Your employer is required to give you time off to vote, but they're not required to pay you for it. That is why a lot of people that I know don't vote.

That's kind of a bullshit reason. The voting booths are open here from 7AM until 7PM if I recall correctly. I did it before work last election.

[Clove]

I'm writing a speech targeted at Americans 25 and younger to persuade them to vote. So far the excuses I got on my survey's were along the lines of "I hate Politics", "I don't know how to vote" and "I don't have time to get informed". What tactics do you think would be the best to use on the "I don't give a shit" ideology.

PS Even if they said they did vote, 60% felt their vote doesn't matter.

Learning how to vote and becoming more informed aren't insurmountable obstacles. Both of those fall under the "don't give a shit" excuse, because if they cared enough they'd learn how to vote and find time to inform themselves.

So the goal really becomes, how can we inspire Americans under 25 to care enough to vote?

For me, voting has always been about two things (and it isn't winning or losing):

1) Being heard
2) Civic Responsibility

I want to vote because I want to be included in the record of who stood for what agendas; whether or not my specific candidate wins. I believe it matters because I believe that record influences our leaders regardless of whom they are. Our elected officials pay attention not only to their own votes, but to their opponents' votes and I sincerely believe that shapes how they proceed. I suppose opinion polls are an alternative, and maybe I'm overrating my vote's importance but as long as votes are counted, I want to be in the count- period.

Civic responsibility is a tougher sell and I don't generally bother. My personal opinion is, if you haven't gotten it by 25, you're probably not gonna get it.

[Jorddyn]

That's kind of a bullshit reason. The voting booths are open here from 7AM until 7PM if I recall correctly. I did it before work last election.

That's really not at all a bullshit reason for people who don't work a 9-5.

Oh, and I'm all for the if-you-don't-vote-you-can't-bitch argument.

[Sean of the Thread]

I voted under age 25 for GWB because I wanted to sit down at the pub and watch cruise missiles go off all night and throw out high fives in between gulps of Stella Artois.


That and I like the free shit they give out at the polls.. you know the little stickers and cookies at the church.

[CrystalTears]

That's really not at all a bullshit reason for people who don't work a 9-5.
Actually it would be an even bigger bullshit reason as you're working off normal business hours, leaving some of your free time available to vote.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

That's really not at all a bullshit reason for people who don't work a 9-5.

Oh, and I'm all for the if-you-don't-vote-you-can't-bitch argument.

I typically work 6, 6:30 to 6 PM, much longer than an average day and I fit it in. I think if you worked off 9-5, that just gives you even more time to find a place to vote.

[g++]

I voted under age 25 for GWB because I wanted to sit down at the pub and watch cruise missiles go off all night and throw out high fives in between gulps of Stella Artois.


That and I like the free shit they give out at the polls.. you know the little stickers and cookies at the church.


:)

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Much like what Clove said, I also vote because I want to be heard. I am one of those people who actually writes their elected officials from time to time. Maybe it's just sunshine up my ass, but it's very satisfying to get a letter back from them.

Anyway, as that old saying goes, if you aren't part of the solution... well in this case, if you don't vote, you aren't even involved in the calculation.

[Gan]

I typically work 6, 6:30 to 6 PM, much longer than an average day and I fit it in. I think if you worked off 9-5, that just gives you even more time to find a place to vote.


There's also early voting for those who work 12's.

[radamanthys]

Knowing my early 20 peers as well as I do... They shouldn't vote. Very few are informed. Just as a tiny example- not one person in my group in my International Business class a while back knew about NAFTA, what it meant, and it's pros and cons, etc.

There are a great many issues out there, and the ones that are up-played are typically the least important.

However, there was nothing more hysterical than trying to do a republican-based voter registration at the New York State Fair. It's like hostilly ignorant city.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

There's also early voting for those who work 12's.

And absentee voting as well.

[NocturnalRob]

Knowing my early 20 peers as well as I do... They shouldn't vote. Very few are informed. Just as a tiny example- not one person in my group in my International Business class a while back knew about NAFTA, what it meant, and it's pros and cons, etc.

There are a great many issues out there, and the ones that are up-played are typically the least important.

However, there was nothing more hysterical than trying to do a republican-based voter registration at the New York State Fair. It's like hostilly ignorant city.

That's the beauty and the tragedy of a democratic society. Even the ill-informed and horribly deluded masses have an equal vote.

[Gan]

That's the beauty and the tragedy of a democratic society. Even the ill-informed and horribly deluded masses have an equal vote.

And also why we have the electoral college. ;)

[Bobmuhthol]

Which is based on population.

[Clove]

Which is based on population.

Shhhh you're giving the "under 25's shouldn't vote" crowd ammunition.

[Sean of the Thread]

Shhhh you're giving the "under 25's shouldn't vote" crowd ammunition.

Bob is a prodigy of the "No child left to drown.... only our hookers" program. So far a great success up there.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I vote for all the hot babes.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by SHM
Much like what Clove said, I also vote because I want to be heard. I am one of those people who actually writes their elected officials from time to time. Maybe it's just sunshine up my ass, but it's very satisfying to get a letter back from them.

Anyway, as that old saying goes, if you aren't part of the solution... well in this case, if you don't vote, you aren't even involved in the calculation.

If I had to guess I'd say most people 25 and under don't feel like they are being heard regardless of how they vote or whether they vote. Of the people around my age that I know didn't vote several didn't rearrange their schedules to get to their polling station because they feel disenfranchised with the political process. There is no real youth representation.

[Kembal]

The funny part is, youth vote (18-25) is at historic levels so far. A lot of that is attributable to the wide open primaries on both sides. (another part comes from the fact the youth vote appears to be energized about Obama's candidacy, though I've met some supporters of Hillary so far.)

The target group is 18-24 (those who are 25 generally got to vote in 2000, and so they're aware of how close an election can get.)

I'd say:

1. Votes do count.
2. It's not just the presidential election, but a lot of local and state government policy (which more directly impacts this age group) is decided by who gets elected.
3. The more youth vote there is, the more likely that politicians will start paying attention to them.

[Clove]

Bob is a prodigy of the "No child left to drown.... only our hookers" program. So far a great success up there.

Say what you want about Nixon, he put a man on the moon. Ted couldn't get a hooker across a bridge.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Just for the record, I don't want under 25 people to vote. They are all ill-informed and emo.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Kembal
I'd say:

1. Votes do count. If you live in a swing state or a state that trends away from your candidate


The funny part is, youth vote (18-25) is at historic levels so far. A lot of that is attributable to the wide open primaries on both sides. (another part comes from the fact the youth vote appears to be energized about Obama's candidacy, though I've met some supporters of Hillary so far.)

Do you think they stay active in the political process if Obama fails to win the democratic candidacy (and vice versa for Clinton)?

[Gan]

Do you think they stay active in the political process if Obama fails to win the democratic candidacy (and vice versa for Clinton)?
No, their attention span does not last that long.

[Jenisi]

This is what I have so far.

A single vote. That’s what each one of us has and whether we choose to use that vote or not is up to you and only you. According to the class survey I conducted, only about half of you plan to vote in the next election. The reasons varied, from not knowing how to vote or to just simply hating politics. And for the 50% of you that do plan to vote, not all of you will because some pressing appointment will happen or you might forget. And you’ll justify it by saying “well, my vote doesn’t matter anyway” Tell that to 25000 people that died in the Revolutionary War that fought for our basic rights, including the right to vote.

I want by the end of this speech each of you to know how to vote, why to vote and how to get informed. I’m going to stress the how, because getting registered to vote is so easy but many people are completely clueless on how to register. The great thing about it is, once you register, as long as you continue to vote, you don’t have to register to vote.

I remember my first time registering to vote. I waited till the last minute, as is the life of a procrastinator. I remember getting told I could get registered at the post office, so I went there just to find out it was closed. I was then told to go down town to get to county-city building and that’s where I got registered. After running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off, I finally found where I was supposed to be and just had to fill out a simple card and turn it in. But I was so proud of myself for not giving up on finding where I needed to go, even if I did end up being late for work due to all my running around. But I knew I’d never have to deal with it again, so that put me at ease too.

So hopefully I’ll put you all at ease too, and none of you will have to run around town like I did. Your first step is to fill out the Indiana Voter Registration Application and mail it off 30 days or more before the election. That’s it. You don’t have to run around town like I did, you can go downtown to get registered if you don’t wanna deal with the mail system for some reason. But it’s EASY and all you have to do is be 18 years or older. I have simplified the process by bringing copied of the application and a list of where to mail to is attached to each one. I even brought enveloped with stamps so you can fill it out right now and if you don’t even wanna deal with mailing them, you can give them back to me and I’ll mail them for you. That’s how passionate I am about having each of you vote.

Then as long as you keep voting and don’t move out of your precient, you’ll never have to register again! But if you do at least it’ll be a simple process.

Now that you know how to vote, we move on to a more challenging subject, why to vote.
Abraham Lincoln best described democracy as "government of the people, by the people, and for the people." For that government to be "by the people," however, requires that the people decide who shall be their leaders. We all hear about politicians constantly, they’ve famous and powerful and they make decisions that affect each and every one of us whether we believe so or not.

(Why to vote clip here) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ao46wQqvHk (show first 30 seconds)

We all have our own causes, most all of you that completed the survey I gave out, circled an issue that is important to them. And even if you didn’t circle that it was important to you, it affects you! Because the president, senators and representatives affect our everyday lives, whether it's higher education, student loans, academic freedom, healthcare, Social Security or the economy. We’ve seen presidents hurt America and we’ve seen presidents help America. I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen bush based alone.

We all fill up our tanks, who has control on the economy? We all will get old someday, who controls social security? Do you really want to keep elected people who say your opinion doesn’t matter? Did you know That in 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president, became a U.S. senator by a ONE vote margin? Each and every vote is the voice of a citizen of the United States of America. One voice speaking out can change the course of history.

As I was telling my story earlier, about how I had finally managed to get registered to vote, the day did come where I was able to vote. I went to work that day after receiving my cool pin and cookies from the nice ladies at the polling site. When I got there, a girl mentioned the pin on my shirt and she mentioned that she didn’t even know there was an election that day. I couldn’t believe how with modern technology had advanced, people still didn’t know when we had a presidential election.

Many of us have busy lives and don’t have the time to get informed as well as we would like to. My suggestion to you? Use the things you do actually have time for to do a little research. You don’t have to know a politicians life story to vote for them. Many of you have access to the internet, check out a politicians myspace page to see what they stand for. Maybe you care about just one thing like gun control or gay marriage or taxes. Do a simple 5 minute search on a few candidates and see who follows your opinion .

Why do I vote? Because I understand how the country I live in affects me and how I affect it. I have a voice that no one can silence, and even if my candidate doesn’t win I know that I did my part, my civil duty. I know that women at one time didn’t have the right to vote, less than a hundred years ago did we achieve this right. People died, were injured and fought for my right to vote and I’m not going to let them down by ignoring it!

I don’t want any of you to under-estimate the power of a single vote and to make any excuse as to why you shouldn’t vote. I have explained how easy it is to vote, how easy it is to get informed. But most importantly why to vote. If civil duty issue isn’t enough or the fact that people fought to get your right to vote or the fact that the outcome each election will effect you, or just to show America you have a voice isn’t enough! Do it for the free cookies the nice old ladies at the polls give out because who doesn’t like free cookies?

[Bobmuhthol]

I didn't read past the part about 4500 people dying in the Revolutionary War, considering it was really about 5 times that number.

[Jenisi]

FORGOT THE TWO IN FRONT OMG THX

[Jenisi]

Hell changed it to 25,000 just because there isn't any exact figure anyway. Most or that number died from disease and not battle that's not to say they wouldn't have died anyway.

[Bobmuhthol]

It's not bad for a semi-serious high school assignment, but I would never deliver that speech in front of a college audience.

[Jenisi]

Well I could change my topic to some of the ones other people are giving. Like let's see, why we should have a class designated to Zombie Attack Prevenetion and Cheerleading is a sport. I'm not a professional speech writer, just trying to pass S121.

PS And so far I'm getting an A.

[g++]

We all have our own causes, most all of you that completed the survey I gave out, circled an issue that is important to them. And even if you didn’t circle that it was important to you, it affects you! Because the president, senators and representatives affect our everyday lives, whether it's higher education, student loans, academic freedom, healthcare, Social Security or the economy. We’ve seen presidents hurt America and we’ve seen presidents help America. I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen bush based alone.

Im just voting for whoever has the most hope.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen bush based alone.

Not that the sentence makes sense, but if it should be "I can't even count how many times I've seen Bush bashed alone." probably doesn't belong in your speech, as it doesn't incent people to vote.

[Latrinsorm]

Tell that to 25000 people that died in the Revolutionary War that fought for our basic rights, including the right to vote.

I like politics and I would want to avoid voting after a statement like that.

[Jenisi]

I put it in to show that some presidents don't do the best job and we're in control of who is put into office. If we don't like it, we should vote.

[Nieninque]

Tell that to 25000 people that died in the Revolutionary War that fought for our basic rights, including the right to vote.

I like politics and I would want to avoid voting after a statement like that.

So says contrary Mary

[AnticorRifling]

I'd like to see a simple 5 minute test prior to being allowed to enter the voting booth. The simple fact that you have an ID and can sign your name is not enough. Prove that you have the slightest idea about anything related to government before you're allowed to cast your vote. Of course the test would somehow be biased, rigged, slanted towards one party, etc. but shit some of my friends don't know a political party from a punch to the neck.

[Clove]

So says contrary Mary

Shaddap Redcoat.

[Clove]

Hmmmm. Well I'd use more direct phrases and avoid passive voice verbs wherever possible. Example:


I want by the end of this speech each of you to know how to vote...
Might be better expressed as:
By the end of this speech I want each of you to know how to vote...

And if you don't have an accurate number of casualties for the Reveolutionary War you could use "thousands" or "tens of thousands" instead.

[Xaerve]

Knowing my early 20 peers as well as I do... They shouldn't vote. Very few are informed. Just as a tiny example- not one person in my group in my International Business class a while back knew about NAFTA, what it meant, and it's pros and cons, etc.

There are a great many issues out there, and the ones that are up-played are typically the least important.

However, there was nothing more hysterical than trying to do a republican-based voter registration at the New York State Fair. It's like hostilly ignorant city.


Couldn't disagree more. I think the college-age students bring a great perspective, more often than not. Especially those who go out and vote.

Where did you go to school? Maybe I'm biased going to school in the NE.

[AnticorRifling]

Couldn't disagree more. I think the college-age students bring a great perspective, more often than not. Especially those who go out and vote.

Where did you go to school? Maybe I'm biased going to school in the NE.

So you're saying because you went to schoole in the NE you drown when it rains?

[Alfster]

Wing your speeches, it works well.

[Clove]

So you're saying because you went to schoole in the NE you drown when it rains?

Yeah like all the other retards from Yale, MIT, Harvard...

[AnticorRifling]

I spelled schoole with an "e" I'm retarded

[Clove]

Did you go to a NE school?

[AnticorRifling]

Did you go to a NE school?


Fuck no, I did something with my life.

[Latrinsorm]

So says contrary MaryI prefer Miranda, but I recognize that doesn't rhyme with as many things. Miranda on the veranda? I dunno.

[Clove]

Fuck no, I did something with my life.

Nice to see there are still self-made anti-education types out there.

[AnticorRifling]

I'm not against education. I just didn't like the caveat of maybe I'm biased since I went to school in the NE, as in "Here in the NE we're better than you and we know it" globo gym-esque.

[Xaerve]

I didn't mean it like that, I was simply asking for perspective from another part of the country.

Is a rejection letter still stinging or something? Geeze.

[Clove]

I'm not against education. I just didn't like the caveat of maybe I'm biased since I went to school in the NE, as in "Here in the NE we're better than you and we know it" globo gym-esque.

Wow.

[Xaerve]

Yea, also not sure caveat is the word you're looking for...

[Daniel]

BU isn't that great of a school.

[TheEschaton]

Wait, the NE isn't better than the rest of the country? Damn it, I want my 8.25% sales tax back!

[Stanley Burrell]

I don't even know where Nebraska is on a map. Why all the hate though?

[Gan]

I don't even know where Nebraska is on a map. Why all the hate though?

Coming from someone who oozes NE snobbery against the South all the time...

LOLIRONICLOL

[Keller]

hating the south is not contained to the NE.

PS - I don't consider the major cities in Texas to be the South. Those places are just where people from the civilized portion of the nation settled years ago to bank the oil money.

[Clove]

hating the south is not contained to the NE.

PS - I don't consider the major cities in Texas to be the South. Those places are just where people from the civilized portion of the nation settled years ago to bank the oil money.

Or any of the major cities in Florida, that's just Cuba.

[Keller]

Or any of the major cities in Florida, that's just Cuba.

I don't think many people associate Florida with the South. There are entirely too many rust-belt retirees.

[AnticorRifling]

Florida and Texas don't count, you have to be able to speak English as a first language to be considered southern redneck imo.

[Tolwynn]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/laridian/votenexttime.jpg

[Clove]

Florida and Texas don't count, you have to be able to speak English as a first language to be considered southern redneck imo.

You think so? I've been to Mississippi, and I wouldn't call what they speak English. I always thought it was the number of unregistered, broken-down cars in your lawn that qualified you as a redneck.

[Gan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/laridian/votenexttime.jpg

LOL

That so fucking wins.

[AnticorRifling]

You think so? I've been to Mississippi, and I wouldn't call what they speak English. I always thought it was the number of unregistered, broken-down cars in your lawn that qualified you as a redneck.

True, true.

[Kyra231]

Actually it would be an even bigger bullshit reason as you're working off normal business hours, leaving some of your free time available to vote.

A lot of health care is 7a-7p so not in all scenarios is that correct(and you really don't get off at 7..more like 8 depending on case load for the day).

~K.

[Clove]

A lot of health care is 7a-7p so not in all scenarios is that correct(and you really don't get off at 7..more like 8 depending on case load for the day).

~K.

A 12 hour window is more than ample time for the majority of constituents to vote. Of course there are exceptions, for which districts make provisions, like mail-in ballots for example.

"I don't have the time" really isn't much of an excuse.

[Kyra231]

A 12 hour window is more than ample time for the majority of constituents to vote. Of course there are exceptions, for which districts make provisions, like mail-in ballots for example.

"I don't have the time" really isn't much of an excuse.

I never said it was, I was correcting the post stated that because you do not work a conventional '8-5' job that you would have more time on your hands to vote.

~K.

[CrystalTears]

And I was basing it on a standard 8-hour day, regardless of the time in and out, which would leave you 4 hours free to vote.

[Gan]

A lot of health care is 7a-7p so not in all scenarios is that correct(and you really don't get off at 7..more like 8 depending on case load for the day).

~K.

I have a wife who works 12 hour shifts as a nurse. Because its 12 hour shifts, she does not work 5 days a week. So that allows her to have off days, which in the case of this last election, allowed her to participate in the early voting that was held weeks before the actual election.

If you want to vote, there are many ways to do so if you're motivated enough to search your options, and plan ahead.

[AnticorRifling]

On the topic of "why" I/you/we should vote, not finding the time to do so, I vote to keep my kids educated and my guns mine.

[Stanley Burrell]

On the topic of "why" I/you/we should vote, not finding the time to do so, I vote to keep my kids educated and my guns mine.

No one's going to confiscate your guns; house-to-house weapon sweeps are for The Iraq. In fact (this isn't directed at you) most people with illusions of grandeur that compensate for their own personal feelings of inadequacy and, subsequently, feel the right to bear arms with already owned firearms would exhibit that much more force over up-and-comings who will have a 9mm placed in their palms at the the mature age of No Child Left Behind.

You know, our financial livelihood based mainly upon being international arms dealers shit is going to catch up with us someday. I probably won't be alive because of that reason or natural causes. Either or.