On the "if you don't vote, you can't complain" theme....

I have a relative who was trying to tell me that even though she doesn't vote (doesn't believe in the system whatsoever)....she still has the right to complain because she pays taxes.

Well, I tried to explain something to her - where do taxes come from? No, not the government - that is where your taxes GO. Taxes come from politicians, who vote to approve them. So, then, where do politicians come from? That's right - you and me - votes.

So, you can't really complain about your taxes, or complain about your elected officials who implemented or continue the taxes, if you are refusing to take part in the process. If you don't like the way things are, find a candidate (or, run for office yourself) that believes in what you believe in, and VOTE for them to effect the change you desire.

i registered to vote when i was still 17........i was getting my license, and she told me that since i would be 18 in a few months, i could go ahead and register. so i did. been voting ever since......when i was in school 2 hrs from home, i would make the drive and vote. :) voted in the last presidential election, congress, governor......i love to push the RIGHT button. ;)

Just found this:

"America is a land where a citizen will cross the ocean to fight for democracy -- and won't cross the street to vote in a national election."

Bill Vaughan

Sad to say, ain't it the damn truth?
That is so f*cked up!

I always vote in the presidential election, should be better about local stuff but I admit I don't always vote in those.

I couldn't wait to vote - however the BC provincial elections were 2 weeks before my 18th birthday, so I had to wait for the Vancouver municipal elections later that year. Since then I have voted in 3 federal elections 1997, 2000 and 2004), 1 provincial election (2001) and 3 municipal elections (1996, 1999 and 2002) .

I just recently voted in the federal election (about 3 weeks ago) and I will be voting in the municipal election next year and the provincial election should be next year or 2006.

But who knows with a minority gov't in power; last time that happened parliament dissolved within 6 months (or thereabouts); so we could have another federal elections on our hands sooner than later, but I hope that isn't the case.

I was called for Jury Duty two years ago. While It was interesting, it took a toll on me beacuse of my working late nights at a Pizza Store when I was a Manager.

I have not miss a single day of Voting. :D :cool:

I wish I would get picked for jury duty.

I like voting. and Jury duty is not fun!

I get approached everyday to register to vote...and it kinda sucks that I can't just yet. Maybe next time ?

I registered to vote when I was 18 and have not missed an election to vote in since. That was a long time ago. I have been registered to vote in 4 different states and cast my vote everytime I am required/requested to...be it for school board or national president.

I was raised that voting was an OBLIGATION of citizenship not a PRIVILEDGE. That is how I am raising my children. One time we were late to an event, when I realized as we were driving out of county I hadn't yet voted, I turned around and returned to vote. This is showing them voting is more important than worrying about being on time.

My parents always send me reminder e-mails to register for an absentee ballot when I'm at school and one time my mom mailed the form to me at school to remind me. I've never missed an election since being 18 and am looking forward to my first presidential election this fall!

I actually vote. Thanks for reminding me about registering for my absentee ballot since I am out of state for school.

And I just love jharb's signature! My sentiments exactly... :)

I'll admit, I didn't vote in the last Presidential election even though I was 18 because I thought they were both tools and I didn't realize I could get an absentee ballot.

I'll be voting for the first time November 4. I just recently became a Florida resident, so I was able to register to vote. Before I was too busy down here to keep up on Chicago-area politics to absentee vote back there.

Never have voted before because I wasn't old enough, but I just went and registerd today! Can't wait to vote in November--just gotta get that absentee ballot sent to school :)

I have voted ever since i turned 18 in 86!

I missed one election so far and have absentee balloted the last few