Who votes? (And who cares?)

In "Who votes?", Drake Bennett considers the meaning of low voter turnout in the United States. Is low turnout a sign of disillusionment and civil decay that must be addressed, as many commentators argue? Or is it a sign of a mature democracy and basic satisfaction with the status quo?
Read the story: Who votes? (And who cares?)
Share your thoughts

Page 1

I do think that the lack of voter turn out is a sign of civil decay within our society. It shows that a majority of American citizens are not really "interested" or informed about what is going on politically in our country. Amercians have become lazy! They do NOT want to search out information...they just want to point and click then read the headlines! Folks, DIG for information! Do NOT count on just ONE source for news and information! Suscribe to MANY! Like they say at the gym...."USE it or LOSE it!"

Rob, Douglas

FELLOW VOTERS OVER 60 WE VOTE, WE LOSE, BECAUSE THE OLDER GENERATION, HAS NO POWER ALL POLITICANS WANT YOUNG AND MINORITY VOTES, WE WHO HAVE WORKED ALL OUR LIVES, HAVE NO VALUE TO THEM . OTHER THAN WE PAY ALL THE TAXES, FOR THERE LIBERAL PROGRAMS, WE NEVER QUALIFY FOR. ALL THIS MARCHING AND VIOLENCE FROM MINORITYS TO VOTE, AND YET LESS THEN 25% EVER VOTE, WHY SHOULD THEY, ALL THE THINGS THEY DEMAND WILL BE PART OF A POLITICAL HANDOUT ANYWAYS, WHILE WE OLDER VOTING CITIZENS, WILL BE IGNORED, TAXED , AND LEFT TO WITHER AWAY, WENT NO MEDICAL COVERAGE, AND IF WE LIVE TO COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY, WE WILL BE LABEL LOAFERS. VOTING MAKES NO SENSE, BECAUSE, IT REALY DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BIG MONEY BIG BUSINESS AND MONEY PIT SOCIAL PROGRAMS, WILL RULE THE DAY, AND VOTING JUST MAKES A BLIP ON THE SCREEN, REMEMBER MANURE IN ANY FORM IS STILL MANURE

david , Uxbridge

Disillusionment came when the popular vote was discarded in 2000. What's the use of voting when the truth of that matter is that our vote just doesn't count when the higher-ups-that-be have other plans.

Pam, Boston

I think a lot of things contribute to civil decay (whatever the definition of that is) and not voting may be one of them. It is not the sign of a mature democracy. It is the sign of an apathetic populace. The majority of developed nations in the world have some form of a democratic government and their voting rates exceed 80%. I think there are many reasons in this country why people are apathetic to voting, but I caution them--when you don't vote you end up with a dictatorship.

Andrea, Sharon

When there is someone worth voting for, I'll go to the polls. Pres. Bush Jr. or 'the other guy' ... not much of a choice. I felt they both would make an ineffective president at the time. The fact Jr. got in is still a matter largely ignored by the media and hidden behind red-tape at Diebold.

Paul, Franklin

Hey Pam. Do us all a favor and don't vote. We don't need any more stupid people voting for liberal politicians. I'm glad you are disenchanted. Just for your information. George Bush won the election in 2000. Read something other than the Globe and you'll get the real story.

Ed, Boston

The current system used to elect the President and local officials is incompatible with modern society. It has turned into a conspicuous pecuniary driven exercise within our market system economy. There is a natural conflict of interest in what is good for all and what is good for the self. This conflict manifests itself in that wealth creates policy and policy creates wealth. Meanwhile the policy that is good for all remains obscured by the false reality many choose to accept. Even as many have accepted the "purchased election", there is still another larger problem with the election system. Logistics. There are over 200 million US citizens of voting age. How do you convince that many people to visit their local election hall and cast a vote on a weekday? The brightest minds on Madison Avenue have yet concocted a campaign to persuade that many people to do one thing on a single weekday. In the 2000 presidential election over 100 million voices went unheard. The time for change is now. Let the suggestions for change come! - Eliminate voter registration. A state issued driver's license is sufficient to eliminate voter fraud. According to Bennett's story, voter registration was created before carrying a state issued photo ID (drivers license) was common. - Spread the voting period over the weekend allowing people to vote anytime day or night.

Ken, Watertown

I feel that the low voter turnout is a result of disillusionment with the whole system. Most people in my age bracket, 69, grew up believing that our vote counted, but through the years we realized that only the big lobbyists interests counted. I feel that everything is for sale in our country -- to the highest bidder. Often the feeling is that we were naive or downright stupid in believing otherwise.

mary, yarmouthport, MA

It is a sign of disillusionment and apathy not civil decay. A simple matter of people getting a very clear message from polititions that the voters will not be listened to and their vote does not count. A prime example was the referendum to remove the Speaker of the House of MA. It passed with a overwhelming majority, The representatives from those districts that had the vote either ignored it or, in one case, laughed and said that he would not vote on it. That sends a very loud message to the voters to not even bother.

Guy , Winthrop, MA

WHO CARES ANYMORE? I DON'T. THE LAST TIME I VOTED WAS WHEN MIKE DUKAKIS WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. WHOEVER GETS ELECTED I CAN LIVE WITH IT. ONE MORE THING.........LET'S GO RED SOX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RONNIE , PHOENIX ARIZONA