U.S. is 139th in the world for political participation,

[Greyhound]

according to an article in todays Parade Magazine. Ever wonder how things got so bad?

[Totallybushed]

1. What does that mean?

How do they measure it? Number of registered voters? Number of voters who actually voted? Money donated to political parties? Political causes? Number of political parties?

[Greyhound]

4. percentage of eligible voters that actually do.

138 other nation's citizens take their responsibility to determine their fate more seriously than the amerikan sheeple. BTW, how many countries are there, and how many of those don't allow their subjects to vote?

[Totallybushed]

6. Got no idea,

sorry.

However, I do know that some countries, Australia for instance, require their citizens to vote. I'm not so sure this is a good idea.

If the people are either so satisfied with things the way they are that they don't vote, or so lazy and apathetic that they don't bother to inform themselves of the candidates and issues and then take the really easy steps it takes to go vote, well, do we want these people making decisions that will affect those of us who do care, and do try to vote the right way?

[CrazyOrangeCat]

2. lo, how the mighty have fallen . . .

:(

[Selatius]

3. No public financing of campaigns, a corporatized news media, and the two party system.

That generally makes it difficult to enact change. We don't even have universal health care even though polls say 60 percent of Americans would support the idea.

[Quantess]

5. The Electoral College is not helping.

With the electoral college, your vote doesn't really count. Not really.

[mentalsolstice]

8. My vote didn't count in 2000, but then again, it did...

I'm in one of the reddest of red states, so as far as the electoral college goes, I'm non-existent. However, my vote, in 2000, was counted in the popular vote...AND I'LL NEVER FORGET! Never!

[applegrove]

7. With a 65% turnout...all the GOP needs is a 35% turnout of their base

and they could win again. The people not voting are poor and kids. Mostly Democrats.