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Given how the political system is set up, it's not surprising that we get the "I hate politics" responses. In most states, your Presidential vote is already dec

Given how the political system is set up, it's not surprising that we get the "I hate politics" responses. In most states, your Presidential vote is already decided for you. A Republican in New York might as well not vote, and a Democrat in Alabama ought to stay home. In most Congressional districts, the party has so gerrymandered the districts that it's easier to dislodge communist dictators than defeat the incumbent party. Even if the above weren't true, our voting system encourages a two-party system with its winner-take-all rules, so third parties like the Green Party or Libertarian Party aren't as popular as they might otherwise be because of the 'wasting your vote' phenomenon.

ecobiker 11y ago
Voting is only a small part of participating in the political system. As an outsider, I find people here in the US (or probably just SF) to be more active for their causes. But it's not enough. There is no easy tech solution here. People have to have their voices heard. Otherwise, voting is useless. You can only choose between the choices given to you not the choices you want.
baldfat 11y ago
For president yes your vote really doesn't decide much. In any system even if it was a popular vote you could still say the same thing. Vote locally. That is the root of our political system and where people can easily make a difference.
- kosievdmerwe 11y ago
  For a straight up popular vote for president, your vote matters a lot more. In the US you can have (and have had) the case where someone can become president despite the majority wanting someone else.
  - baldfat 11y ago
    AND this is GOOD or else New York, Texas, Florida and California would get 90% of the presidential focus. Having a popular vote hurts nation wide groups and our current system is good. Also one the least impact votes you will cast will be for President he/she really does very little that impacts your day to day.

ecobiker 11y ago

Voting is only a small part of participating in the political system. As an outsider, I find people here in the US (or probably just SF) to be more active for their causes. But it's not enough. There is no easy tech solution here. People have to have their voices heard. Otherwise, voting is useless. You can only choose between the choices given to you not the choices you want.

baldfat 11y ago

For president yes your vote really doesn't decide much. In any system even if it was a popular vote you could still say the same thing. Vote locally. That is the root of our political system and where people can easily make a difference.

kosievdmerwe 11y ago
For a straight up popular vote for president, your vote matters a lot more. In the US you can have (and have had) the case where someone can become president despite the majority wanting someone else.
- baldfat 11y ago
  AND this is GOOD or else New York, Texas, Florida and California would get 90% of the presidential focus. Having a popular vote hurts nation wide groups and our current system is good. Also one the least impact votes you will cast will be for President he/she really does very little that impacts your day to day.