@AdinaHorwich you forgot one term in your statement. "Freedom". Every individual decides exactly what their "duty" is. You cannot dictate to an individual what to do. That is the exact definition of democracy. I knew someone would say something close to this. It amazes me sometimes how logic goes out of the window on the simplest of terms. If I am free and I live in a democratic country, then I can decide not to vote or to vote. No one can dictate what my duty is to me. Nor can I do that to any other person.
I don't get it. Is it my duty to go to synagogue 3 times a day? Or is it my duty to eat only Kosher? Or is it my duty to go to the army? Or is it my duty to live in Israel and not in the US? No. It is a decision I make. If I do not want to pray then i don't. If I do not want to eat kosher, I don't. If I do not want to live in Israel - I don't. And if i do not want to vote - I am free to do that as well.
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EDT: And most of Israel agrees with that. And I would say most of the USA. Proof is in the statistics.
I do not see how the questions you raise are related to the topic of voting. I did not go to those issues and will not answer as they are immaterial to this , but you can be sure I do have an opinion. Not voting when one has that right, is in my view, lame. Many around the world are not accorded such a right. They do not live in democracies as we do. I bless and appreciate the fact that I was raised and now reside in two such countries. People feel entitled to gripe and condemn and give advice how to run a country or city, left and right, but when they have a say, even if just one ballot, do not bother to cast their votes. Plain poor citizenship, whether by choice, 'freedom', or not. Afterwards, no end to complaints about the results. Nobody cares much for going to school, working, paying bills, or following law and order and other commitments and obligations to society that encroach upon our freedom, but not everything we do and decide is a matter of choice.
so your POV boils down to this: If YOU consider it MY duty to vote than I have to vote. What a bunch of malarkey. I can say what I please, when I please, and think in the same manner. Last time I looked that was the definition of democracy. You are using the very thing, Democracy, that allows me to vote or not to vote to tell me that I have to vote. Kind of illogical. Conundrum.
Not interested in the pet peeves you have to "entitled people." And I can damn well complain about what happens if it affects my life.
As to others who do not have the right to vote. I agree with you. But that in no way, shape, manner or form will dictate what I do.
You live how you want to live. Think how you want to think. Please grant me and others the same respect we grant you. In other words, please do NOT dictate what my duty is or not. I have lived long enough to know exactly what sort of people do that, and exactly where that path leads. And it is nowhere good.
Just to chime in— For me personally, I vote no matter what. But the libertarian and freedom loving person in me says— Never tell someone else if they should or should not vote. It’s personal.
Echo 😞
It's your right to vote or not to vote.
It is at once a privilege, honour AND duty to have the right to vote.
@AdinaHorwich you forgot one term in your statement. "Freedom". Every individual decides exactly what their "duty" is. You cannot dictate to an individual what to do. That is the exact definition of democracy. I knew someone would say something close to this. It amazes me sometimes how logic goes out of the window on the simplest of terms. If I am free and I live in a democratic country, then I can decide not to vote or to vote. No one can dictate what my duty is to me. Nor can I do that to any other person.
I don't get it. Is it my duty to go to synagogue 3 times a day? Or is it my duty to eat only Kosher? Or is it my duty to go to the army? Or is it my duty to live in Israel and not in the US? No. It is a decision I make. If I do not want to pray then i don't. If I do not want to eat kosher, I don't. If I do not want to live in Israel - I don't. And if i do not want to vote - I am free to do that as well.
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EDT: And most of Israel agrees with that. And I would say most of the USA. Proof is in the statistics.
I do not see how the questions you raise are related to the topic of voting. I did not go to those issues and will not answer as they are immaterial to this , but you can be sure I do have an opinion. Not voting when one has that right, is in my view, lame. Many around the world are not accorded such a right. They do not live in democracies as we do. I bless and appreciate the fact that I was raised and now reside in two such countries. People feel entitled to gripe and condemn and give advice how to run a country or city, left and right, but when they have a say, even if just one ballot, do not bother to cast their votes. Plain poor citizenship, whether by choice, 'freedom', or not. Afterwards, no end to complaints about the results. Nobody cares much for going to school, working, paying bills, or following law and order and other commitments and obligations to society that encroach upon our freedom, but not everything we do and decide is a matter of choice.
so your POV boils down to this: If YOU consider it MY duty to vote than I have to vote. What a bunch of malarkey. I can say what I please, when I please, and think in the same manner. Last time I looked that was the definition of democracy. You are using the very thing, Democracy, that allows me to vote or not to vote to tell me that I have to vote. Kind of illogical. Conundrum.
Not interested in the pet peeves you have to "entitled people." And I can damn well complain about what happens if it affects my life.
As to others who do not have the right to vote. I agree with you. But that in no way, shape, manner or form will dictate what I do.
You live how you want to live. Think how you want to think. Please grant me and others the same respect we grant you. In other words, please do NOT dictate what my duty is or not. I have lived long enough to know exactly what sort of people do that, and exactly where that path leads. And it is nowhere good.
Just to chime in— For me personally, I vote no matter what. But the libertarian and freedom loving person in me says— Never tell someone else if they should or should not vote. It’s personal.
Ted, enough! Your tone towards me is unduly arrogant, offensive, insulting and quite uncalled for.
It will be tolerated no more. Think your thoughts and I will mine. End of discussion.
I agree with the first sentence. I also have never told anyone they must vote, nor for whom in any election.
I simply wrote it is an honour, privilege and duty to do so. I disagree with not voting. I assert my right and 'freedom' to think that.