There are many out there on both sides of the political aisle who are disgusted with the two main candidates, or looking at the others running see even more reasons not to vote for them either-so, I see no reason to vote seems to be the conclusion.
Dude, I understand and can sympathize!
In many states, like mine-Alabama, or yours, Massachusetts lets’ say, you could stay home because the masses are riled up and my one vote, even if for the winner of the state, really won’t make a difference.
But, what do we lose by not voting. Participation. Connection. Investment. What will destroy the American governmental experience is apathy.
Ben Franklin famously said, “You have a republic, if you can keep it.” http://www.ourrepubliconline.com/Author/21. Eric Metaxas just wrote a book with that title reminding us about the uniqueness of our republic, “If you can keep it.” http://ericmetaxas.com/books/if-you-can-keep-it/.
Many think we should destroy it, put in a religious controlled, one party controlled, parliamentary controlled, stronger executive, stronger judiciary, soak the rich, and the list goes on. Both sides are further from the middle, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/12/7-things-to-know-about-polarization-in-america/.
Our fore people came from all of the above and wanted something different. Where all kinds of folks were equal (It took us 190 years for the vision to actually happen legally, not bad considering for the past 4,000 years that has not been the case). Where you could worship God, science, the sun, whatever, and not be killed or put in jail. They did so with disagreements, fights on the floor of conventions, imperfect people trying, always trying, but they did it.
Over half of earners pay no income taxes today. Our government grows larger by the year, whether Republican or Democrat, controlling more of our lives each day. Power corrupts, ….http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/power_corrupts.html. Central control reduces the key driver for economic growth. Whether that means special treatment for large companies or free college without any way to pay for it.
Our system was created to have as little government control as possible, why, because of the history of where those people came from. It has been shown in modern times that National Socialist, Communist, Totalitarian, Theocratic, Monarchical…. forms of government deprive people of the freedom to be financially independent.
Hillary will be nominated tonight. Bernie has ensured free college, $15 minimum wage, soak the rich taxes, less trade, bathrooms, …… will be part of the platform. Trump blathers on about whatever, most of which I dislike. But, which one will increase government less? I must vote for that one.
I must vote. I must participate. And hold my nose while I do it this cycle. Reagan had his issues, but a lack of humility was not one. A leader must be humble, realizing they are serving us, the citizen. Neither one this year.