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Tuesday March 02, 2004

Voting day

I'm a hypocrite. I know I am... Today was voting day in Ohio, and although I've been waggin my finger at all of my friends to get out to the polls, I haven't done so myself. It's not that I didn't have the time... I really did. The polling place is a mile from my house, and it would have been a short little trip. But instead of excersizing my rights, I stayed at home and debated with myself. Her's my dilemma:

There are certain things I feel very strongly about. I feel strongly about the war in Iraq... that it was waged with ulterior motives and fundamentally wrong. I also believe the United States should be ashamed of itself for not taking care of its citizens. Even the homeless are given health care in Canada. I feel strongly about a lot of things, and there's a candidate whose philosophy is nearly identical to mine. The only problem is he had a snowball's chance in hell of winning anything at all, considering the front runner was hundreds of delegates ahead of him before today.

Is it better to vote with your heart, or with your head? Support the ideal person, or the strongest person? The one you want, or the one that will win? I'm still debating this now, hours after the polls have closed. I haven't done my duty. I couldn't even mke up my mind. I know... hypocrite. I'm not afraid to say it. Hmmpph.

Comments

This is an interesting and hard question! I don't think there is any point voting for someone simply because they will win if you don't share any common ideas with them. If you are talking about a candidate ,that has a chance, that you agree partly with then I may vote for them rather than someone who had no chance at all if it might stop a third party (who I didn't agree with at all) getting in. Hope this makes sense!!

Kirsty Sparrow on March 3, 2004 03:54 PM

hey Drina, I live in Canada, I turn 30 on the 30th and I have never voted in any of the elections. Why?? Well I was going to vote Liberal never got to the polls, and wouldn't you know it, the party broke three of their campain promises within three months of being elected into power. The politicians seem to say what we want to hear and then do what they want. They are nothing but cheaters and liars (at least here they are). I say go with your gut instinct. Vote for the underdog, hey you never know.....

Liz on March 3, 2004 04:39 PM

i have a question... why is Canada italicized?

i often wonder about your question as well. an american i know freaks out when anyone suggests that not voting is a viable option when you don't know anything about those running.

michelle on March 3, 2004 09:29 PM

right there with you gurlie... I believe the suffrage woman would be pissed at us...lol

Your old roomie on March 4, 2004 05:14 PM

Michelle, Canada was italicized just because generally Americans believe the US is the greates country in the world, and I was pointing out the superior nature of a health care system outside the US. No harm intended :(

Drina on March 4, 2004 11:39 PM