Why You Should Always Vote

You Should Always Vote Even If Don't Care Who's Elected

Voting is critical to our democracy, but we often choose not to. We see our reason for voting as just an extension of our desire to say who is in charge. It's more than that. No matter how discouraged or ambivalent you feel, you still want to vote. Besides just as a sense of duty, there are reason that are practical and to your direct benefit whatever you think of the candidates.

Politicians Only Respond to Votes

Here's a secret. Politicians don't like it when you vote. When you vote they have to do what you want instead of what they want. The more we vote, the harder they have to work. If only 1 person voted, and everyone else stayed home, politicians would be ecstatic. They would only have to please 1 person. If I could think of way, I'd make it impossible for politicians to know how many have voted.

So, when you stay home, politicians stop caring about you. Sure, when you vote, the politician has no idea who you are, but he does know about everyone like you. They spend a lot of money figuring out what groups vote and what groups don't. Why do you think that is? It's so they can figure out who can be ignored.

Have you noticed that politicians care more about older voters than younger voters? That's because the older you are the more likely you are to vote. Hey, younger voters, do you care about the deficit, environment, and college cost? Then vote as much as older voters do.

If you feel the government doesn't care about, you're right if you haven't voted.

Voting Makes You More Important

When I was younger, I use to get stopped a lot by police. When asked for my id, I would also hand over my voter registration card. I have no idea if it had any affect, but in one non-confrontational act I had informed the police that I was citizen, had a stable residence, and was aware if my rights.

Voting Is Good Insurance

I know people that had problems solved by contacting their local politicians. They weren't lobbyists, campaign contributors, or even wrote a blog. They were just voters. Maybe your not getting the response you need from the police, have a fine you can't pay, or need a pothole fixed. Believe or not, a lot of elected politicians will help if you have a good case, sometimes even if it has nothing to do with the government.

They'll do it because you're a voter, and they work for you. But, guess what? Most of them look to see if you voted in the last election. If you haven't, they are less likely to help you.

Note: when you do this, you want go with the most local elected official you can find. The less people they serve, the better. For example, contact your state legislator before you try your congressman. Just the fact that you know who they are makes an impression.

Voting Is Critical to Our Democracy

The whole idea of voting is that it makes our leader responsible to us. Here's the beautiful part. It does not matter if the best leader gets elected. Just the fact that leader feels responsible to us make our country more just, free, and better working.

When you don't vote, you contribute to a viscous cycle. The leaders become less responsible. The citizens become less engaged and vote less. And so on.

When you do vote, you contribute to a virtuous cycle. The leaders become more responsible. The citizens become more engaged and vote more. And so on.

The saying is really true:

"In a democracy people get the leaders they deserve" -- Joseph de Maistre

Note: For all of you who want more voting restrictions: voter ids, less voting days, tougher registration, less voting booths, testing for voters, etc. Why are you being a sucker to the politicians? Remember, they want less voters, not more. How can you believe in smaller government, less regulation, and more freedom, then hand over to politicians and bureaucrats the ability to pick who they work for. That's like letting children pick their parents. If you think the answer is to restrict voting, then shut up about government overreach. Yes I'm talking to you, Libertarians and Conservatives.