<p>"there's more to voting than determining the next president. politicians actually classify the votes to see which races/ages/genders participate the most and consequently cater to their needs with public policies."</p>
<p>That is, as far as I can see, another reason not to vote. Pandering to the unconstitutional interests of various demographics doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather politicians stop with the populism and instead outline plans for a return to Constitutional compliance. Being classified as white male under 24 doesn't help with that. It just leads to ******** promises about how they want to cut the cost of colleges, which wouldn't impact me, or about how they want to make sure I have medical insurance, which is NOT their place.</p>
<p>*i don't see any of this changing anytime soon so it's pointless to vote. personally as long as there isn't a draft i don't care what happens in our government. the three branch system won't let this country become a dictatorship (no matter how much people scream this out). and as long as i make a decent salary to live i feel i'll go about my daily activities just fine. *</p>
<p>Mhmm. Say that again when you're forty and not being able to enjoy your 100k salary because forty percent of it is being taken away in taxes given to screw-ups who didn't go to college, are unemployed, and are living off welfare (a.k.a. your money). If you don't make your voice heard now then you're gonna end up paying the price later on, like many people are paying it now.</p>
<p>In this day and age, it is nearly impossible to get the government out of your life. You can't even drive your car without having to follow a government rule, such as using your seatbelt, or buy toothpaste without it being regulated by the government. To say that you'll go about your daily activities and life without giving a damn about the government is overly naive and just plain stupid. </p>
<p>Libertinesque, not one of those things you mentioned would affect the daily things you did, not now or in the future. You see, IF I were making a 6 digit salary, whatever I'd be left with after taxes would be enough. There isn't any kind of 'system' that's perfect. Some people will abuse 'systems' and others will follow the rules. That's how things are. But like I said, there really isn't anything that I see the government doing that will limit the things I do. Seat belt? I have no issue wearing one. Paying more taxes than those making less than me? no issue with that. Welfare? My mom was on it. No issue with taxes going to that (yea the system can be better but i'm not naive to think everyone on welfare is abusing it). Government telling us what toothpaste to use? Let's get serious. Not really sure where you're going with your argument. Like I said, the three branch system won't let this country become a dictatorship.</p>
<p>My argument is that it is impossible to think that you can lead your life ignoring the government. I think it's perfectly fine that people disagree on political issues, but the fact is, the government is still there, making decisions. Perhaps it's just me, but I cannot just sit around while the government makes decisions on how I should run my life. There are states in which schools are prescribing contraceptive pills to girls as young as 11 without any parental notification! If I was a parent, I would want to make that decision myself, thank you very much. You say it won't turn into a dictatorship because of the three party system but you are vague as to what kind of dictatorship that is.</p>
<p>When the government is wire-tapping private phone calls, taking more and more power away from the individual and expanding its reach, that to me is a dictatorship.</p>
<p>dic·ta·tor·ship
noun
1. a country, government, or the form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a dictator.
2. absolute, imperious, or overbearing power or control.
3. the office or position held by a dictator.</p>
<p>A dictatorship is a dictatorship. Nothing vague about it. What you're talking about is precisely what I mentioned in my first post, people trying to call this government a dictatorship. That's a joke. Either they have not had enough history or they just don't understand a dictatorship is. The way things are being run now isn't the first time and won't be the last time a government expands its power. And this is coming from someone who is liberal. But I consider myself practical. For the US to become like Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, etc. A LOT of things have to go wrong. I mean the constitution has to be completely disregarded, the three branch system destroyed, among other things. You may not like the laws in place, I don't either, but wiretapping is not affecting how I function on a daily basis. I still call friends and family. I still e-mail. I still download. And in the unlikely event that hell freezes over and this country is run by some radical dictator for 50 years, you still have an alternative, that is to leave the country. If you live into the idea that the government controls what you do then that is in fact what they will do. </p>
<p>Also the issue you are discussing regarding 11yo and contraceptives is not a federal issue. Contraceptives are not hard to get either way. The fact that it's being facilitated to another human being may anger you, but as much as you may not want to hear it it's their life not your's. If you've raised the kid properly it shouldn't be an issue. Also if you don't like the school policies? Move the kid to another school. Go to another state. Or simply don't sign the medical care form (b/c that's how you give the kid the right to get contraceptives from the school nurse without parental consent).</p>
<p>Oh yes, because leaving a country during a dictatorship is so easy. You should have told that to the Jews in Nazi Germany. That would have been great advice.</p>
<p>If I could go to the past, sure. That's why history is great, learn from it and you can find patterns and avoid getting into similar situations. Either way many managed to escape. But again, a lot of things would have to go wrong at the same time in the U.S. in order for this country to become anything like those dictatorship states in Europe.</p>
<p>it has nothing to do with apathy. by saying that we are apathetic you assume we are not concerned or aware of what's going on. we are. the issue is that by being aware we realize there's no real difference in voting because like i said earlier it's like voting between a douchebag and a turd sandwich.</p>
<p>So you're saying you can't relate to any of the candidates? If everyone thought like you, I don't see how democracy could exist in this country.</p>
<p>i'm saying that in the next 4 years, whoever is president (whether it's clinton, obama, guliani, huckabee, mccain, edwards, etc) their actions (the change they bring to the country) overall won't be very different from one another. i'm not saying everyone has to think like me. simply put for the most part, politicians say what they think the people will like to hear in order to get votes. what tye really want is the money, fame, and to carry out their personal agendas (ulterior motives) which may not necessarily be the best for the country. it sucks but that's how it is in this country. democracy works, but when the politicians are crappy, it really doesn't matter who wins at the end of the day because the winner will still be crappy.</p>