A letter from Canada about "ownership society"

[question everything]

That is a society where everybody gets to own their own illness and poverty.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. I say 51% of America owns the sickness sitting in the Oval Office

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Really, it's less than that. 51% of those who actually voted, chose

EL Dumb-dumb, but only around 60% of eligible people voted. Hey, have you seen a 'mandate' around here?

[MissMarple]

3. I hesitate to say this, but those who don't vote are culpable, as well.

It's like a sin of omission. People who choose not to vote, not to be informed are still responsible for the outcome.

Not taking responsibility reminds me of the oft quoted thoughts from Martin Niemoller:

"In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up."

[American Tragedy]

4. I don't hesitate to say it. People who don't vote are equally guilty!

It is a sin of omission, you're right, but it's even more than that. When you don't vote at all, you are not only accepting the current status quo, but you are essentially telling every party and every elected official that your demographic and your interests are politically irrelevent.

If they had voted for somebody, be it Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Prohibition, Marijuana, Know-Nothing, whatever, at least that would indicate that they are inclined to go to the polls and they have a particular leaning. If fifty million of those people had gone out there on a lark and voted for some weirdo third party, they wouldn't win, but I guarantee it would have a massive impact on the current political landscape!

But no politician is ever going to waste his or her finite time and resources to reach out to a group of people who will never vote.

[MissMarple]

5. That is an excellent point about voting, not just informed voting.

At least it shows a participation a some level.

Voting is a right and a responsibility. Those who choose not to vote are (wince)unpatriotic and a drain on our democracy.

And I'm wincing and hesitating because hubby says I sometimes appear too strident in my views. But what are they going to do with uppity women? :D