The principle of not voting is based on the idea that it should be better, the system is flawed and we will not take part. It's a moral choice, in some cases, where we as others feel so let down that we wont get involved. We suspect corruption and lies at every post and all the people up for grabs have photoshopped personalities to boot. So in one sense not voting feels like it is the better option.
Another way of looking at it, however, is to think of government as a car. It is moving forward, and we, as citizens, are the passengers, live cargo. This car has the power to drive everyone to somewhere new, and it will do this, as to sit on the highway of life without going anywhere is asking for a smash up. The car has to drive, and it has a choice of the minor roads or the motorways, some cars go faster than others but they all go. Each one is very capable of hurting others and those within it. Even a small road poses great danger, ask any T. Rex fan and they'll tell you it's true.
If we are driving a car which is faulty, or going the wrong way, and someone says to you, “Which way should we go?” Not voting is a bit like saying “I have no idea, don't look at me”. Maybe there are only two turnings, maybe there are five turnings, and one of them feels like the better option to you. We have to take one of them, and if we don't others will.
It may feel like our vote is not important to us, or anyone. It may feel like in the great sea of people that our one little vote doesn't matter. On an individual basis, this may be very true. Very few ballots are won by a single vote. But, on a group level, this is most certainly not true. Ideas, especially relatively true ones, spread like fire. The relative truth to the vote doesn't count much idea is swept aside as soon as the idea reaches a dozen or more people. As soon as a group stops voting then an entire ideology is at risk of extinction. What happens when a species is extinct? Another one takes over. It has the field all to itself. More chillingly, the ones who are most susceptible to not voting do appear (at least in social observations) to be those who drift more to the left hand side of politics.
So, it may feel like there is no-one in your corner, that your ideas and ethical standing points are not being voiced. If this is true for you then be the voice, write about it, say something, do something to let others know how you feel and what you think. Time will tell if your version is right for anyone else but give it a fair hearing, respect yourself enough to accept that you have something to contribute, something to say. You may not get to the top, but you probably don't want that anyway, however if you vocalise your ideas then others who do want to be at the top may just listen someday.
So, please, vote, or if you truly cannot do that, then tell everyone why. The last thing the world needs is silent hearts, bleeding in the dark. Do something.
Another way of looking at it, however, is to think of government as a car. It is moving forward, and we, as citizens, are the passengers, live cargo. This car has the power to drive everyone to somewhere new, and it will do this, as to sit on the highway of life without going anywhere is asking for a smash up. The car has to drive, and it has a choice of the minor roads or the motorways, some cars go faster than others but they all go. Each one is very capable of hurting others and those within it. Even a small road poses great danger, ask any T. Rex fan and they'll tell you it's true.
If we are driving a car which is faulty, or going the wrong way, and someone says to you, “Which way should we go?” Not voting is a bit like saying “I have no idea, don't look at me”. Maybe there are only two turnings, maybe there are five turnings, and one of them feels like the better option to you. We have to take one of them, and if we don't others will.
It may feel like our vote is not important to us, or anyone. It may feel like in the great sea of people that our one little vote doesn't matter. On an individual basis, this may be very true. Very few ballots are won by a single vote. But, on a group level, this is most certainly not true. Ideas, especially relatively true ones, spread like fire. The relative truth to the vote doesn't count much idea is swept aside as soon as the idea reaches a dozen or more people. As soon as a group stops voting then an entire ideology is at risk of extinction. What happens when a species is extinct? Another one takes over. It has the field all to itself. More chillingly, the ones who are most susceptible to not voting do appear (at least in social observations) to be those who drift more to the left hand side of politics.
So, it may feel like there is no-one in your corner, that your ideas and ethical standing points are not being voiced. If this is true for you then be the voice, write about it, say something, do something to let others know how you feel and what you think. Time will tell if your version is right for anyone else but give it a fair hearing, respect yourself enough to accept that you have something to contribute, something to say. You may not get to the top, but you probably don't want that anyway, however if you vocalise your ideas then others who do want to be at the top may just listen someday.
So, please, vote, or if you truly cannot do that, then tell everyone why. The last thing the world needs is silent hearts, bleeding in the dark. Do something.
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