A thought.
Nov. 8th, 2006 11:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
napoleonherselfI just came across that tired old chestnut that if you don't vote, you don't get to complain about the results. As someone who did not vote this year, I feel the need to engage in a little thought experiment.
First of all, wow congratulations on being the Grand High Decider on who gets to talk about what. You are so special. I wish I were that special.
Second of all, what if the vote is pointless where you are? What if you are a Democrat in an area where the vast majority of the population is Republican? Do you really have to cast your worthless vote in order to be allowed to speak?
What if candidates are unopposed in your district? What if there is no candidate from "your" party to vote for? Do you really have to go write in your vote for Mickey Mouse in order to be allowed to speak?
What if you live in State A and you want to complain about the election in State B? Do you really have to cast an unrelated-to-the-issue vote in order to be allowed to speak?
What if you're legally barred from voting? Are you just not allowed to speak?
What if you were unexpectedly physically unable to get to the polling place? Are you just not allowed to speak?
What if you realize only AFTER the election that you have concerns? Are you just not allowed to speak?
Am I just not allowed to speak?
I realize that the best way to maintain your position as Grand High Decider on who gets to talk about what means that you can never, ever, ever address my concerns. Good heavens, that might be almost the same as admitting that you could be wrong! Maybe everyone gets to express their opinions -- even if they didn't vote!
But I ask all the same.
Am I just not allowed to speak?
First of all, wow congratulations on being the Grand High Decider on who gets to talk about what. You are so special. I wish I were that special.
Second of all, what if the vote is pointless where you are? What if you are a Democrat in an area where the vast majority of the population is Republican? Do you really have to cast your worthless vote in order to be allowed to speak?
What if candidates are unopposed in your district? What if there is no candidate from "your" party to vote for? Do you really have to go write in your vote for Mickey Mouse in order to be allowed to speak?
What if you live in State A and you want to complain about the election in State B? Do you really have to cast an unrelated-to-the-issue vote in order to be allowed to speak?
What if you're legally barred from voting? Are you just not allowed to speak?
What if you were unexpectedly physically unable to get to the polling place? Are you just not allowed to speak?
What if you realize only AFTER the election that you have concerns? Are you just not allowed to speak?
Am I just not allowed to speak?
I realize that the best way to maintain your position as Grand High Decider on who gets to talk about what means that you can never, ever, ever address my concerns. Good heavens, that might be almost the same as admitting that you could be wrong! Maybe everyone gets to express their opinions -- even if they didn't vote!
But I ask all the same.
Am I just not allowed to speak?
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no subject
Date: 2006-11-09 01:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-09 05:32 am (UTC)You are now a Zoroastrian. Don't argue; you don't have any choice in the matter anyway. PRAY TO ZOROASTRI. Or, you know, whoever. Zorro maybe?