Why should you vote for the President of the United States of America?
Most of you will never set foot into a city or county council meeting. In these forums, you generally have face to face access to policymakers that you directly elect. These men and women have a significant impact on essential aspects of your everyday life, particularly in areas like school funding, access to fire and rescue service, water and sewage policies, zoning, annexation, local tax rates, and so on. Yet, we hardly ever never rock the county or town council vote – indeed, in most cases, I bet county council debates hardly make it onto the radar compared to the hoopla surrounding the quadrennial presidential elections in the US.
The important point about these local elections cannot be stressed enough: i). You can go meet these policymakers and talk with them about issues of concern to you and your community and possibly persuade them on some matter; ii). They are directly elected by your vote and are therefore accountable to you and the coalition of voters of which you are a part.
In terms of the US president, however, the story is very different. The chances that you will ever meet the next US president (or any US president ever, for that matter) are slim to none – especially now with the intensified security practices surrounding the President following the events on 11 September 2001. Even when the fear of communist sabotage and the threat of Soviet nuclear weapons (which still exist, by the way) stalked Americans’ imagination during the Cold War, citizens were able to arrive early in the morning, wait in line outside the White House gate, and get an escorted tour of the public areas on most any day of the week. That type of open and symbolically more accessible attitude has evaporated over the past decade in regards to the President and the White House. In its place is an increasingly complicated, surveillance-intensive, and selective bureaucratic process that distances the office and the office holder from those that vote.
Even less likely are we, as average citizens living in Shepherdstown, WV, or any particular town across America, able to meet and meaningfully discuss, much less influence, the president on any issue of concern to you or your community.
On top of that, your vote, which millions of American citizens will cast in November, does not elect the president of the United States. To the surprise of many, no doubt, the US Constitution establishes an Electoral College [read here and here] with this authority. Who is the Electoral College? Robert Dahl, the distinguished professor of comparative democracy at Yale University, says that members of the Electoral College usually consist of a relatively unknown and partisan group of party loyalists.
The Electoral College, a fundamentally non-democratic and elitist feature of the US Constitution that insulates the president from the popular will, has created a dilemma for American politics that has played out on four different occasions in our history. Most recently, we saw the consequences of this Constitutional dilemma in the 2000 US election. In that instance, George W. Bush was elected to the highest office in the land because he won a majority of Electoral College votes; Al Gore won the majority of votes from American citizens, but lost the election. All in all, Dahl says that one out of every three US presidents has won with only a minority of voters’ support.
I want to bring the dilemma of our democracy home to you by asking you to reflect on your behavior.
Why should you vote for the American president? Or, if you think that you shouldn't vote for the US President, why shouldn't you vote? And, perhaps more importantly, why don’t you vote for the city and county council members? Do you know your council members?
I think it is important to vote for the President, although I believe voters do not directly select the President. Voting in general is a huge freedom, which I believe people should not take for granted. If this freedom disappears, and a ruler comes out of nowhere and stays in power for years and years, people will not be happy. Even with everyone voting, the votes do not really matter due to the electoral college. This system is beyond outdated, as it was a tool used to protect the election from the uneducated masses. In the modern world today, any and everyone can check the news somehow, either by phone, t.v., or internet.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I believe a majority of us do not vote for city and council members because the only election we discuss growing up is the Presidential Election. Although city and county members could help us in more ways than the President, we don't pay nearly as much attention to them. I personally am not aware of any council members, which is somewhat sad.
Austin Cline
Poly Sci 100:04
I agree with Austin on certain parts of his argument. I believe that it is important to vote for the president however our votes do not necessarily directly elect the President. Voting may be a huge freedom, but the problem is that many people know that at the end of the election the vote they cast will not count. I agree with the point Austin made about the electoral college as the system is very out of date. Whether the whole country votes or not it will always come down to the final decision of the electoral college. In my opinion however I feel more passionately about voting for people in my own area and state more than I do the National Election. In a small state like West Virginia I have grown up always seeing and hearing about all of the people that are running for political office. Since I am from this state I feel a strong connection with whom the state elects into office for the different positions that are able to be held. I know that Austin said that majority of people do not vote for the local and state election, because growing up it is not discussed as much. However I feel even more passionate about the state and local elections because they were not discussed. I probably will continue not to vote for the presidential election because I as a citizen feel that my vote will not count either way. And until our country fixes this issue I feel that many people will continue to start to note vote each election.
Delete- Cassiana Roby PSCI 100.04 -
I agree with Austin and Cassie. I heard absolutely nothing about voting for county elections growing up, and when I was in third grade (the 2000 election) everyone kept telling us that when we were older we should vote for who our President would be.Last November was my first election. Granted that I voted simply because it is a right, I regret doing it now, knowing that it didn't count in the long run. Before, when I heard of people who didn't vote, I thought they were crazy. Now, I completely know where they're coming from.
DeleteJessica Ott, PSCI 100.05
I agree with Austin because even though our vote may not make any difference, its the overall freedom of being able to vote that keeps society's moral elevated. I also don't know of any council members for the area. From what I can remember, in high school the only process of voting for any elected official that was discussed, was for the President.
ReplyDeleteKaitlin Drake PSCI 100.04
I also agree with Kaitlin and Austin. I feel we vote primarily because it is a right we have. For example, like we discussed in class, white, wealthy, men were the only individuals who had a right to vote. This excluded slaves and also women. So, primarily the slaves and women's votes were generally not important during that time. Now, we all collectively can vote. Even if we aren't fully voting for the president we still have a voice and an opinion on other important issues in today's society.
ReplyDeleteShelby Pendergraft
PSCI 100.04
I don't vote. It's a false freedom and a complete waste. The candidates spent close to a billion dollars campaigning to people whose vote DOESNT count. We get fed what we 'want' to here and then nothing happens. Politicians look out for themselves. Maybe if no one voted and actually took a stand as a collective whole, we could see some change. The only hope we have is in our working class people. We are the ones who need to stand and demand change, voting in the same types of people have gotten us NO where but in debt. Raise Taxes on working class = raised salaries for Politicians.
ReplyDeleteKati Foley
DeleteMaybe if people voted for the politicians that mattered. The reasons middle class presidents are not elected is because people don't get off their butt, facebook account, and are too busy worried about why they can't smoke their weed that they only notice the politicans running for office with money. American citizens choose to elect the rich, they don't get in office for no reason. Not voting won't do any good but make it worse. There's more things to vote for then politicans though, you vote for policy changes. If you don't vote for the president, fine, but your local politicians and state representatives/senators need to be voted for if you EVER expect to see any change.
DeleteJust standing on the street demanding something won't get you anywhere, you're yelling to the air, unless you write letters, policies, and vote for what you believe NOTHING will ever change.
If no one voted, welcome to North Korea.
Kyla Seaman PSCI 100.04
I understand that we don't select the president and Ive known that for a long time but I still went out and voted in the past election. I love that we can still vote even though it may not count. I think everyone should vote just to voice their opinion on who they think is a better president. I think its important to see who the people want in office because then the president will know where America stands. If Obama would have lost the popular vote but still made it into office it might make him realize that America is not following him and he might would try to make changes to fix that. There are many other reasons we should vote because when you get to the poll its not just the president on that ballot and then you have people complaining about taxes and everything else but they didnt bother to take the time to vote someone who they thought would help out the gov. You do elect the legislative branch of gov and they make decisions left and right and people are to ignorant to realize they do have a little say in who makes it in. Also you should vote for the people who help run your community because lord knows your going to complain like always about something but if you dont voice you opinion guess what its just as much your fault for what ever you are complaining about. People need to understand how the gov works and how the president may be the executive over America but he does not make every decision that goes on in America nor does he come up with every bill that you see passed it has a big part in congress and you do have a small vote for people there so I encourage to either stop complaining or go voice your opinion because if you voice your opinion than you have a right to complain because at least you tried to make things better in your eyes.
ReplyDelete-Jeffrey Martin
PSCI 100.04
Whether to vote for President or not depends on the individuals knowledge, character, and pride, per say. Most people likely do not know, or seldom think about, the discrepancies involved in a Presidential election. If they do, then it is likely their character, or personality, that dictates their decision to either vote or not, and this is more less dependent upon their pride. Specifically their pride in having the ability to mark an opinion, whether it directly counts or not.
ReplyDeleteI agree that local elections and involvement are critical in qualitative and productive governments. Personally, I have not been involved in elections due to some very peculiar living conditions that restrict my ability to vote in the locality of my interest, i.e. Shepherdstown.
I personally do not know my city or county council members, and don't really care enough to research it. I have never voted, nor will I begin to vote for a president. I just do not see the point. The popular vote literally means nothing. The electoral college decides who becomes the president, and with that being said they will vote for the people who they believe will best meet their needs, not mine. Many people may think that it's cool to vote or it means something but if you do some simple research you will find out that your vote means just as much as the person who did not vote. Which is why I do not vote.
ReplyDeleteI don't vote for president because, even if our votes did count, I don't believe any of the candidates would represent my interests. For one, many of the candidates like to bring their religion into office. What happened to religion being separate from the state? How could I ever trust a millionaire who had most likely never worked a labor or service job in their life?
ReplyDeleteI believe people should pay attention to the local election, but who does? I don't, due to lack of interest and lack of time. With the hundreds of other things racing through our minds each day, it's difficult to set aside a moment to devote to looking up candidates. Most would rather spend that time on Facebok or Twitter. People, me included, just don't care as much as they should.
Danielle Fuhrmann
PoliSci100.4
I do not vote for the U.S President nor does anyone in my entire family. I believe most people only vote because it's a right we have or "freedom". I do not know my city council members currently, when I lived at home I knew who they were and voted for them as well. I voted for my county council members because I lived in a very small community and everyone knew eachother. I believe voting for the U.S. president is a waste of time. But also i can understand why others do vote because it's your right to vote, so utilize you right.
ReplyDeleteTeather Smith
100.05
I have not voted yet, however that's mostly because I've only been able to vote in one election so far, and in reality, no matter which candidate was elected, I didn't think it would make a difference, considering they're almsot the same.
ReplyDeleteYa know, I understand we, as citizens, don't elect the president, i understand that it's the electoral college, however to a certain extent our votes do count. Does the electoral college need to be adjusted and made so popular vote might do a bit more? Yes. However I agree with the founding fathers, I don't think the average American should be able to really have a say in the president, I mean just walk around Shepherds campus and listen to ignorant, completely unfactual opinions that came off of a sit like the onion, what good does that do?
I have found it more important, anbd myself more likely to vote for council members, senator, represenatives, etc though. I think when it's all said in done, they're who we need to worry about not the president.
Another thing is, if we don't vote, if no one in America votes, we'd end up with a dictator. We'd end up having the wealthiest people in the nation deciding for us, and it'll be worse off now. I think we need to take advantage of the freedoms we have.
But for the many opinions I see above me against voting, just remember, if you choose not to vote, you really waive your right to complain about the government ;)
Kyla Seaman Psci 100.04
I vote for president because growing up I have always been encouraged that I need to vote because it is my right and personal freedom, for being a citizen of this country. Even if voters do not actually choose the president, I think you should still vote because you should exercise your freedoms. The system of the Electoral College should be retired and we should bring fourth a new system. If we keep voting in future elections and popular vote exceeds the electoral vote maybe one day the government will change the system.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not vote for local council elections because I do not hear enough about the candidates, to even know who they are. I realize now that living in the area I live in, who gets elected can directly affect me in some way. I do not know who my council members are. This has got me thinking and now I have decided to do the research and find out who they are and vote in the next local election.
Blake Hoffman PSCI 100.05
Before taking this course, I was unaware of how much our vote for the president actually did not matter. I also knew slim to none about politics in general. That's why, when I voted, I was doing it because I was told to and it was my right to be able to do so. I was brought up in a household where rights are very important, voting obviously being a major one. So when I turned 18 and was able to vote, not doing it was not an option. That's why I feel many people vote; it's there personal right. But in the great sceme of things, the vote clearly doesn't matter at all. Voting has become more of a media spectacle than actually a way to excersize a real opinion. People do it because they are told to by everyone surrounding them, not because they are assisting in choosing who rules over the citizens of the country.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Amorati PSCI 100.04
Before I took this course I thought that everyone's vote helped towards deciding who will become president. I just turned 18 and I was so excited to be a part of the next election because I thought I could vote and contribute to who can become president. Now, knowing my vote doesn't really count for the president, I am not too excited to vote. It gives me a good feeling that I have the freedom to vote, but I don't feel like it makes a difference in politics. I kind of don't feel that sense of importance anymore and the freedom factor deteriorates. Whenever I was growing up, my parents had an emphasis on the president, and voting for the president, but it really doesn't matter now. I didn't even know that you could vote for city council members, and I don't know what those members even do. I feel like me not knowing about these political members makes me unaware of how they effect my life. I believe the smaller members of an election mean the most because they represent us locally and we should be more involved in what goes on around us and that effects us locally. Worrying about the big picture, our vote really doesn't matter for the president so why should we worry about it so much? We really shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteKatlyn Frund
PSCI 100.05
To vote, or not to vote, that is the question? Let me answer the last question first. No, I don’t know all of my county and town council members/representatives and I have never been personally invited to a town hall. In the months leading up to elections I do research many of the officials that are running so that I can try to make an informed decision and vote locally. Mostly I read about incumbents because current officials have a recent track record.
ReplyDeleteAs for the president, yes you should always vote for the president and you should vote to have the electoral college disbanded and the popular vote reinstated as the correct way to vote a president into office. The Electoral College basically renders your vote useless. It also means that the controversy about illegal voting at the voting booths is irrelevant. I only mention this point because no matter which way the vote is taken there will be issues about its accuracy. I am not sure which would be worse but I would rather the cheaters be the little guys, us, and not the representatives of the corporate giants, the Electoral College. Finally, whether to participate in the popular vote or not? The answer is yes; continue to be heard even if you’re told it means nothing. Think of it this way, the Electoral College is a nail in the coffin of democracy. If we are silent on the popular vote we are condoning another nail.
Joe Woodburn PSCI 100.05
When I was younger I use to firmly believe every citizen needed to go out on Election Day and do their patriotic duty by voting. Now that I’ve gotten older, I don’t truly see it necessary to vote for the president. I feel that it truly doesn’t matter what you vote for because when it’s all said and done the Electoral College has the last say anyways. I believe the Electoral College is an outdated system that no longer needs to be in effect. In regards to voting for city and county council members, I’ve never done it. I suppose that can be chalked up to laziness and a lack of publicity. During Presidential elections every five minutes we hear some kind of campaign ad for one of the nominees where we hear what they are for and how bad their opponent is. Yet when it comes to city and county council members we see their campaign signs off the side of the road but never tend to look up what they stand for and simply vote for whichever is the republican or whichever is the democrat (depending on your political party preference).
ReplyDeleteMatt Santmier
PSCI 100.05
When I turned 18 I voted but didn't the last time. I don't intend to in the future. Instead I plan on actively participating in local voting. The freedom to vote doesn't have to be for a presidential election to matter, when i fact it doesn't matter. I'd rather waste my time in line voting for something that is going to matter instead of doing it because i'm told I have to or kanya is gonna find me and kill me :)
ReplyDeleteShannon Knipple PSCI 100.05
DeleteI personally don't vote. It's so easy to see past the media's fluff. I've always known in the back of my head that the presidential election is nothing but a false popularity contest. At the same time, the excitement that the media gets out of the general public is pretty much fueling the media's fire. If voters stood together and all realized what little impact their vote has, the media would have nothing to work with. As far as local elections go, I'm also guilty of not voting in them. As stated by others above, it's not publicized nearly as much. It's hard to bring ourselves to care about something that we can't see a direct change from as a result from voting.
ReplyDelete-William Slifer PSCI 100.04
Not having the option to vote really affects my opinion on this subject. I am not yet a citizen so I don't have the privilege to vote. This has driven my attention away from politics in this country. However I think that if one's vote is not going to count, then why vote. I would concentrate my attention on where my vote matters like city and council members, because that's where you can actually make a change. I didn't really know that the vote of the people didn't matter in the presidential elections. If that's the case then why would the nominees spend so much money advertising their campaign? Even if they want to make an impact on the population to have a better image I don't think it's worth the amount that they spend. But that is just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteFernando Velez
PSCI 100.04
As soon as I turned 18 one of the first things I did was register to vote.I have voted in every election since. Although I know the electoral college has the final decision as to who will be in office, I still went out and voted. There have been only four presidents that have been elected into office who did not win the popular vote. That statistic shows that the electoral college will most likely go with the popular vote. I feel that its something that the citizens of our country should do. Men and woman have died for us to be able to have the right to vote.
ReplyDeleteNicole Francesconi
PSCI 100.04
Before this class, I always believed that my vote would matter when it came to the presidential election. I'm the first child in my immediate family to be born in the United States. Having the right to vote when I turned 18 is a privilege to my family since I'm the only one allowed to vote. We thought voting gave the people a say to elect their president. This class opened my eyes in that the electoral college elects the president even if you vote. Sadly most people and including myself do not take the time to be informed nor vote in our local elections. It's time to get informed and really care for who we vote for city councils since whoever we elect can make decisions that can affect our daily lives. I believe everyone should vote even if your vote doesn't count in the presidential election. Voting is a freedom the people in America has and maybe in the future your vote will count and not the electoral college. In the meantime we should start to get informed on who we elect locally and how that person can help out the people.
ReplyDeleteKenny Romero
PSCI 100.05
I for one never knew that my vote did not select the president. Upon learning of this I can now say that I don't think we should vote since our opinion doesn't matter and we can't determine the outcome of the next president. In a way I feel that if we the people do vote, then the Electoral College may lean towards the majority vote. I think reasons why people do not vote for city and council leaders is because they look at the bigger economic issues in the US compared to the smaller ones in cities/towns. The small issues can easily turn into bigger ones if not fixed. It is important that we take the time to vote for a leader in these towns/cities to address these issues before they spread into larger ones.
ReplyDeleteKendall Dozier
PSCI 100.04
I personally do vote for the things I have general knowledge about, which is normally for president, senator, and perhaps a few local positions. I am aware of the hold that the electoral college has on the results, and the media spin on politicians. However, I feel voting is the only way we as citizens can have a say in what happens in our country. Even if it has little to no real effect on what happens, is there any other way to make an attempt to be heard? Voting is really the only thing we have, and even if it is all a media illusion, at least we're making an effort. While your actions may yield no results, results can't possibly be had with no action at all.
ReplyDeleteAdam Jordan
PSCI 100.04
I personally do not vote because I was never educated about politics and government in high school, so I felt I had no say as to who the president will be. I feel voting for the president is a way for Americans to feel involved in the choices made. I don't think voting for the president is necessary since we, as the people do not actually elect the president. I mean, if you think about it, we already find out who the president is before the voting finishes in Hawaii. The candidates waste money on campaign ads and flyers to advocate their idea to the people that elect the president. I feel as Americans since we elected presidents and had campaigns long time ago, we like do keep the traditions going.
ReplyDelete--Keani Chinn PSCI 100.05
Even if our votes do not actually count in the election of the President, I still believe that it is important for everyone to vote because it is a symbol of our freedom and a way to get Americans involved in politics. To be honest, I think most people vote because they actually think their vote counts and will make a difference who wins the election. I do not think all Americans are informed that their vote does not matter and does not make any difference. Even though our vote as the people does not count, I still believe every American should vote if they want to because it is a way to show our freedom and express our opinion. I do not know any of the council members in the area and I think that is normally the case for most people because we strictly see the campaigns and advertisements for the president, and I think that is what most people are focused on.
ReplyDelete-Georgia Karr PSCI 100.04
I think that people like the idea of being able to vote for president, whether or not that vote counts, because of the freedom and "power" it gives them. I find valid points in the argument of, 'why vote for president? the vote doesn't count', but I am not completely sold on it yet. To be honest this past election was the first one I was able to vote in and before that I didn't care that much about what was going on, and even now, for the most part, I am not as aware of things happening as I should be.
ReplyDeleteAs far as local elections are concerned I think people, including myself, should pay significantly more attention to them because they have more of a direct effect on us. Not only that but, as mentioned, we have more say and influence on the decisions and the policy makers. I've heard some people say that they do not vote in local election because they don't know what's going on or who is who because the only thing that gets a lot of publicity is the president and related issues. Personally I find that argument ridiculous and can be easily remedied with a few people willing to use their brains. While national issues are important those on the local level effect us more directly. I for one plan on taking more of an initiative to be, aware of presidential elections, but be more active in local elections.
Chloe Powers PSCI 100.05
I do not vote however the reason many vote is because they believe they have a right to. Many believe this country is a demomcracy so thye think they are in charge of who leads them. However, I have learned in this class the electoral college is in charge of who our next president is. It is very obvious this is the reason because many citizens do not know who their council members are. If they cared more about the goverenment they would pay more attention to the members of their county.
ReplyDeleteShanan Plunkett
PSCI100.04
People that want to vote for the next president usually get involved last minute or follow a candidate for months. They usually vote because they want to see some sort of change. We should all take this opportunity and take advantage of it.
ReplyDeletePeople that don't vote usually "don't care." It's simple as that. They usually don't choose to follow the elections, debates, etc.
I honestly do not know the city and county council members to put in a legit vote.
-=[Matthew Tark: PSCI 100.04]=-
I feel that the right to vote is not used by some and abused by others. Some people look at the right to vote as a way to express their opinion and show the world how they feel. These same people are the ones we see ridiculing the ones who do not use their right to vote but it makes one wonder "do they really know why they are voting". I feel some people who use their right to vote are simply just doing it because people look down on those who dont. I also feel that people just do it because its an exercise of freedom.
ReplyDeleteI voted for the president in this past election because that was the thing to do. I literally voted because everyone else told me I should vote and so I voted. I really have no interest in politics or the like so if someone were to ask me why I actually voted I wouldn't have an answer. I feel like for a lot of people in America this is the same case. They vote because that is what they are told they are supposed to do; not because they actually know why they are voting or in most cases who they are even voting for.
ReplyDeleteJordan Clark
PSCI 100.05
I think that voting for the president is only effective if the representatives who choose the electors in the electoral college are held accountable so that they are more likely to choose an elector who will vote in the people's favor.
ReplyDeleteHowever, voting for representatives who are directly elected by the people is far more important than voting for president because their policies directly affect our lives.
The position of president is highly glamorized and the media makes a big deal out of the presidential elections. On the other hand, citizens have to almost go out of their way to know who their city and county council members are because they are not as highly publicized. I think that the lack of local involvement comes more from a lack of knowledge and accessibility to knowledge more than anything.
I know that between work, school work and taking care of myself I have little time for relaxing and don't want to spend my free time researching local politics. However, if information about my local council members was more accessible to me I may be more inclined to read about it while I'm laying around, trying to de-stress.
In the end it's hard to me to say whether or not other people should or should not vote for president because it's their choice. What I do think is that people should be more educated about politics as a whole and their local politics as well.
Ashley Loggins
PSCI 100.05
There seems to be an illusion based on national media coverage, most likely, that the higher the branch of government, the more we should be informed and involved in it. From this class we've learned that it should actually be quite opposite from that. Because of the electoral college, we barely have a say in who our president will be at all, and even after the president is elected it is not likely that our concerns will be his or her concerns. So it is much more important to get involved and vote for your local council members, since those votes will actually count, and those leaders have time to focus on their own communities, while the president has to worry about the whole world. I don't think it's unnecessary to vote for the president, however. It may just be a "national ritual" but those rituals unify the country and hopefully, if they were presented and covered by the national media correctly could inspire more interest in the local governments. Perhaps rather than simply having very general campaigns like MTV's "Rock the Vote" there should be a national campaign for people to be more involved in their own local governments. We'll always have the presidential election to keep that feeling of being one nation.
ReplyDeleteEmily Jones
PSCI 100.04
I think if there is a member running in the election that you would want to be president then you should vote. If this persons beliefs are what you support and you truly think he could make a difference then that is a reason to vote. However, if you are just voting to vote and there is not a person you actually want to see president then there is no point in wasting your time. I did not vote because I had school all day but I wasn't worried about it either because I did not support either candidates. As for the city council goes, I do not pay attention to any of that and I would not take the time to either. I probably should because it could affect my daily life but that is not something I focus on. I do feel that I would make more of a difference voting for people for my city council then for my president.
ReplyDeleteAlexandria Tost
PSCI 100.05
Since I have been able to vote, I have never voted for our President. As I get older, I know that it could effect my life but at the same time I also know that my vote for President wouldnt count. Now when it comes to the city council, where I know that I could make a difference, then yes, I could see mysle fvoting in the future. As far as voting for the President goes, they havent all seemed that great anyway. It seems to me that they all say one thing but when in office, carry out with the complete opposite.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Sealock
PSCI 100.05
I agree in the fact that voting for our president is truly a waste of time. In the end my tiny vote really does not make the difference on whether one president winning or the other losing. I do know of one of the representatives from my district and that Rob Bell. The only reason I know of his name because he would send out a letter to every kid that got honor roll in K-12 grades. I agree that we should probably focus in more on the smaller roles that effect the bigger issues.
ReplyDeleteKayla Walker PSCI 100.05
DeleteKayla Walker PSCI 100.05
ReplyDeleteIn my opinon i think it is a waste of time to vote. In all honesty your say in who you think should be president does not determine who in fact becomes the president, so why do it? Yes it is showing intrests and patriotism for your country but in the end voting does not aqccomplish anything.
ReplyDeleteKatie Seese PSCI 100.4
I believe that people should do what they want when voting. I personally do not vote because i view the subject as pointless simply because one person’s vote is not going to be the deciding factor in a presidential race. Since the electoral votes elect the president i see no point in waisting my time standing in line for hours to vote for something that wont even matter. I only know who the mayer is where I’m from. I do not pay attention to the other people who are elected simply because it just does not interest me to reed up on what their views are and then when they get in office they totally switch up their views. I also do not vote for them because of my last argument and because I just do not feel like going out and take the time out to vote. Its just simply not that important to me.
ReplyDeleteHeather Brown PSCI 04
Unfortunately, I don't know my city council members. But now that we've discussed this whole thing in class I think that I should know and care about them a lot more than the president who gets elected next. I would like for the electoral system to be changed, as well as other things. How do we change this though? I don't really think that anyone currently holding an office is going to want to change the system that elected them. I guess my best chance would be to bring the topic up at a local level, and try to get my sentiment to climb up the chain.
ReplyDeleteCassandra Nipe
PSCI 100.05