School Project: Youth Voting

[Mike Yuen]

I am currently in summer school taking U.S. Government. I am trying to gather some point of views from all sorts of people on why voting is important and what are some plans to encourage more 18-25yr olds to vote (as they are very important in the voting process)

If any of you guys have an oppinion to help my project out ...it would be greatly appreciated!

Start Posting your thoughts about voting and why it is important to you! :rolleyes:

[Josh Kamins]

I think in order to get more people to vote from all age brackets we should make the voting day a holiday or have it on the weekend. Because of it being on a work day, people have to go out of their way to go before or after work, and if they are working multiple jobs like many underprivileged people, this isn't possible. We should do everything we can to make sure people who want to vote actually can.

[Mike Yuen]

yes...that is really good input!

[Stephen Calhoun]

Voting problem in America…..I don’t believe it!

This is a subject that the very best minds of our country are battling over as we speak. The way I see it (being extremely politically active for years) Most see no reason to vote. It seems to them that no mater who they vote for it is all the same, only the names change. Both parties are full of lies and corruption and do very little for the real people of the country. They think, why vote, one is just as bad as the other so therefore it does not mater.

The most common phase that I have heard over the last 20 years in politics is “vote for the lesser of two evils” well if this is true then why would any one really vote. The two parties look and act so much alike to the average Joe, it really has no effect on his daily struggle to feed his family.

If you want people to vote they must have something to vote for. I mean some thing very serious to vote for or against. The people of Iraq risked death to vote because they were voting one way or another to make a great change in their country. Both parties are radically different. To get people to put down their play station and vote they first must see that there is a difference in the parties. Then it gets complicated...

[chrisklavette]

I think in order to get more people to vite from all age brackets we should make the voting day a holiday or have it on the weekend. Because of it being on a work day, people have to go out of their way to go before or after work, and if they are working multiple jobs like many underprivileged people, this isn't possible. We should do everything we can to make sure people who want to vote actually can.
It is illegal for your empolyer to deny you the opportunity to go out and cast your vote. Any employer who refuses to let you off to go cast your ballot should be reported immediatley.
Our country is so cushy these days that many people don't feel a need to educate themselves on politics and therefore when there are debates and slanderous campaigns John Q isn't fully informed on each issue. Unless, personally involved most people don't get the full story on each issue. Look at how many people have set ideas about Bush but couldn't even give you a briefing about his political agenda or the political agenda of the Republican party as a whole.

[Matt Brouse]

Both parties are full of lies and corruption and do very little for the real people of the country...The two parties look and act so much alike to the average Joe, it really has no effect on his daily struggle to feed his family. :)

I am 21 and have never voted for anything. Not any active decision, just never been able to make it with two jobs, school, training, etc. I have many years left to help out these douchebags' careers however...

[Mike Yuen]

All of these oppinions and facts are really good..

I would definitely be quoting some of your posts in my government project...

Let the class know what the people in America think about the topic of voting. :KD:

[Muscle Mom]

"If you want people to vote they must have something to vote for." Steve said.

I agree. Lower the legal drinking age. That'll get their attention. :B: :D

[Mac Smith]

Mike,

From a minority stand-point (of course I can't speak for all Blacks), but it seems that most don't vote because politicians only come around during election time. Most political strategies after they take office don't take minority issues into account. Not saying that it's true (I'm sure someone will want to debate this). It's perception that's the issue. I vote every chance I get, but I also live in an economic bracket that is effected by a lot of government decisions, but I'm not too far removed from 'da hood' to realize that their needs aren't being met either.

[Matt Brouse]

...but it seems that most don't vote because politicians only come around during election time.

Amen. A broader scope than I think you intended. Excellent points.

[chrisklavette]

Mike,

From a minority stand-point (of course I can't speak for all Blacks), but it seems that most don't vote because politicians only come around during election time. Most political strategies after they take office don't take minority issues into account. Not saying that it's true (I'm sure someone will want to debate this). It's perception that's the issue. I vote every chance I get, but I also live in an economic bracket that is effected by a lot of government decisions, but I'm not too far removed from 'da hood' to realize that their needs aren't being met either.
This point could go round and round. Does "da hood" not get fair representation due to the poor voter turn out or is the poor voter turn out a cause of the misrepresentation? As a minority also I see the politicians who push to "help" minorities (affirmitive action and such) as condesending jerks. Why do I need help? I am not able to fend for myself so I need an old politician who is disconnected from society to "give me a boost"? Come on! I am a grown man and I make the bed I lie in.
I have been told that being an asian minority is not the same as being a black minority but that is a load of crap in my book

[amy kelly]

it is a combination of lacking education, and terrible canidates.
1. how many people 18-25 know the bill of rights? how many know there is writings before it?
2. how many can understand the electorial college? practically none if you read the election complaints. most see it as bizzare and think it should be by popular vot not realizing the current system gives voice to smaller groups. they do not realize that by breaking up by state, they can vote for whoever they want and not have it be a throw away since if their state is a guarantee for one party like mine is they can show support for who they think should be in office. this can effect others vote since if they think that person should also be in office, they may be more likely to vote that way in the future- if they understand the system.
3. the above is also from a lack of general education. if you do not have enough standard education, you cannot understand basic government function and probably should'nt vote because of this. reason for quote those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. if you are not taught in school about us history, how do you know that a pol may have been part of a major scandle years ago, but is still in office running for reelection in the same climate that landed them in toulbe years ago on a smaller level?
4. lack of info given by most politicians about what they represent for you in office AND WHY. most quote bad info that target voters want to here or release pictures with family or something like holding a hammer for habitat for humanity.
5.pols not doing their job properly. not voting even on important legislation, and writing legislation that does little to no good for we the people or using there jobs and bend legal allowances to take advantage for money.
6. pols with no priorities. big war in the middle east, we forgot to read the patriot act before signing it into law and need to edit it, but lets get a senate commision(?) on steriods in athletics. they argue about things we can tell them forever we have no care for, these are the priorites. it looks, and probably is, to a way of tryhing to get our attention away from their inability to do what needs to be done.
7.do as i say, not as i do. don't you gamble, i should know from my problem. report all to the irs properly, unlike me. depend on social security, unlike me. your marriage is sacred, mine is not. most people can go all day with this.
8. more info than a pamphlet should be required at voting stations. there should be breakdowns of each canidate availible for all to read before voting. we dont all have the internet or a library with access and staff that can help. this is probably the reason so many people vote a party line. the party said they are for.....but is this pol for it as well?

steve and mac brought up good points.
was this overboard, or what you needed? sorry for any bad spelling and the like, just typing away without google.

[Tim Myrick]

As a hispanic minority, a lot of dudes I know don't vote because of the broken promises of those in administration.

I say we put someone in office who has nothing to offer to anyone. Then, no broken promises.

[Garrick Daft]

Why do people use the word minority.....

[Mike Yuen]

very strong points you guys are making....

[Josh Kamins]

Why do people use the word minority.....


What word would you prefer they use to describe a minority group?

[Matt Brouse]

I say we put someone in office who has nothing to offer to anyone. Then, no broken promises.
Oh my God! I'm making t-shirts!

[Mac Smith]

Why do people use the word minority.....


Because that is what we are.

Chris,

To answer your question, I think it's a little of both. I definately agree with Amy. Poor voter turn out is because of percieved under representation. Let's face reality: We live in a democracy where majority rules. Well politicians need to cater to the majority (while pretending to care about everyone). But when the majority is teetering in the middle, it forces politicians to court minorities to swing the outcome of elections. Promising that they care about minority issues (which differs from ethnicity to ethnicity, and from race to race), all the while knowing that once in office they must cater to the majority. It's a vicious cycle which isn't always fair, but it is the fairest since of government available.

[chrisklavette]

I agree with Amy's point that a lack of education is big reason for poor voter turn out. But, as for who is at fault for a person being uneducated, both sides have be held accountable. I understand that some parts of the country aren't as catered to as others but I don't know of a single person who is entirely cut off from furthering their own education. If you are unhappy with a situation you must do something to change it, don't just complain about the way you want things to be. I think everyone on here can agree that if you want something bad enough you hunt it down and take it.

[Matt Schumann]

I agree,

Make it a holiday

AND

HAve one stipulation.... Give every voter some sort of receipt or proof.....

and make it a PAID HOLIDAY if you return the receipt to your employer!!!!!

AWESOME! Im gonna suggest that to my Union Rep ! :M:

[tackle78]

This might not be a popular opinion....but when the founding fathers designed the voting system they were counting on many people not voting. The unmotivated and uneducated portion of society were most likely not going to vote. This was a favorable idea since it was viewed that portion of society wouldn't be capable of making an educated choice since they weren't willing to do their homework.

I mean do you really want someone like Paris Hilton's vote to matter?

[Mike Yuen]

hell no i don't want paris hilton to vote.. :F: