Should the whole world vote for who Becomes the US President?

[Casio]

In 2004 over 60 Million people voted for Bush, giving him just over 50% of the popular vote, and enough votes to win the Electoral College. Now given that I don't have the numbers on how many eligible voters there are in the US, the figures get kinda screwey with a few missing pieces.

Either way, Bush beat Kerry fair and square this time, as we went without the crap that happened in 2000 between him and Gore.

...Compulsory voting? I can't happen in America (given the constitution and bill of rights), but I can't say I'm completely against it.

I hate to go off-topic, and sorry for the bad wording. I meant 20% of the population that are allowed to vote, not 20% of the ones that did vote.

The 2005 Census puts 215,246,449 over the age of 18 in America (I make the assumption that it's the voting age), so even with 60 million votes, that's only 27% of possible votes.

 

[Kylehnat]

And John Kerry received even fewer votes than that, so what's your point? If there was a choice on the ballot of "Neither", it would have received the most votes, and we would have no president at all.

 

[Casio]

And John Kerry received even fewer votes than that, so what's your point? If there was a choice on the ballot of "Neither", it would have received the most votes, and we would have no president at all.

I'm questioning how you can have a system to elect the worlds most powerful man, and he can get in when only 27% of the people eligiable to vote want him?

Why can't you just tell everyone to go to the voting box and vote for who they want the most. Even if they disagree with all of them, they should still vote for the one they disagree with the least.

 

[Kylehnat]

A lot of people in this country don't vote because they forget, are too busy, or don't care. And why should they? To be honest, my life is no different under Bush than it was under Clinton and Reagan. I voted for Kerry in the last election (lesser of two evils). If he had won, my life would be exactly the same as it is now. Our vote does make a difference to someone, but it's not necessarily us. I vote because the U.S. President has a lot of influence on the world stage, but a lot of people don't vote, because it might not have an influence on their life.

Why can't you just tell everyone to go to the voting box and vote for who they want the most. Even if they disagree with all of them, they should still vote for the one they disagree with the least.

Forcing people to vote is an insult to everything this country stands for. Any one person has a Constitutional right not to vote. We have many freedoms in this country, and that is one of them. If you force someone to vote, do you think that they'll put any real thought into it? The bottom line is that, even if only 50% of eligible voters vote, that 50% is probably the maximum number of people that should be voting. The people who are voting are probably the only ones who truly understand the impact of their choice, and that's fine with me. I don't want the rest to just flip a coin.

 

[Casio]

I find it hard to fathom how Americans, so rich in patriotism, "Don't Care" who is going to lead them. Even if it doesn't effect your life, that's not a good enough reason not to vote, other people do exist in the world.

 

[Kylehnat]

Even if it doesn't effect your life, that's not a good enough reason not to vote, other people do exist in the world.

There exists the conundrum: does the U.S. President have more affect on the rest of world, or the United States itself? And, when voting for the leader of our country, should we take into account how that candidate will affect the rest of the world?

Think about it: how many world leaders have more influence over the rest of the world than they do their own country? Should we (United States citizens) vote in the interest of the rest of the world, or just the United States? There is a difference, and no matter how we vote, there is criticism.

 

[Omnis]

Kyle, you're ridiculous. Stop making the forefathers cry. I pity any American who doesn't exercize their right to vote. The foundations of democracy lay with the people.

But, we're talking about compromise now. The minority still has the right to be heard. The more people voting, the better compromise we can create.

 

[Kylehnat]

Kyle, you're ridiculous. Stop making the forefathers cry. I pity any American who doesn't exercize their right to vote. The foundations of democracy lay with the people.

Yes, you're right: democracy depends on the people. BUT, anyone who cares will choose to vote. The people who don't care; they don't vote. Do you want them to vote??? If I voted for the president of Ecuador, a country that I know nothing about, would I be doing anyone a favor?

 

[Omnis]

Yes, you're right: democracy depends on the people. BUT, anyone who cares will choose to vote. The people who don't care; they don't vote. Do you want them to vote??? If I voted for the president of Ecuador, a country that I know nothing about, would I be doing anyone a favor?

Sure: The person you voted for.

The point is not to achieve 100% turnout, but to spread education regarding voting and policies. It's up to the candidates and their supporters to educate others to help them make that decision. That's the purpose of campaigning; if someone wanted another person elected so badly, don't you think they would inform others to vote accordingly?
Now, is this Ecuador question assuming you're a citizen? If not, then, no. You're not part of our (Ecuadorian) social contract (assuming they have one); you don't get to vote. If you're a citizen, however, you can still make a blasphemous decision, and you'll be part of a tiny minority. But, if, somehow, you managed to form a majority, then it would be up to the minority to educate the majority into reasonable compromise. Knowledge and reasoning always win the battle.

 

[Kylehnat]

It's up to the candidates and their supporters to educate others to help them make that decision. That's the purpose of campaigning; if someone wanted another person elected so badly, don't you think they would inform others to vote accordingly?

Oh, come now. You know full well that you can't trust campaign ads/speeches/propaganda. I'm talking about making an informed decision. As sad as it is, much of the country is ignorant, un-educated, and lazy. To these people, choosing a President is like choosing a pair of pants; a five-second decision. Seriously, it's like flipping a coin to some people. Do you want a president chosen by 200 million coin flips?

My point: the people who don't vote are too stupid to vote. If they weren't, they'd vote. Oh, how I love circular reasoning . I'm too drunk to argue this further right now, so build up a legitimate argument, and throw it at me in the morning. I'll probably just come to my senses and run away .

 

[Omnis]

My more important point was that the UPSTANDING CITIZEN should teach their fellow american how to make that decision well, or at least spark the interest to get the bon fire going. At least half of the people who don't vote are just lazy as opposed to "stupid". Getting rid of lazy is easy. It's a lot easier than dealing with pissing and moaning, anyway.

 

[YSSMAN]

I find it hard to fathom how Americans, so rich in patriotism, "Don't Care" who is going to lead them. Even if it doesn't effect your life, that's not a good enough reason not to vote, other people do exist in the world.

Well this is the problem with this country. Individualism has often been cited as the main problem with the way the country was founded, and has often been said is the thing that will tear this country apart.

Everyone over the age of 18 has the right to vote, certainly so, but that doesn't mean that they are obligated to vote. Often times Americans are dissapointed with their choises, and thus choose not to go out and support a particular candidate or vote at all. I know that in 2000 my Mother nearly did the same thing, as she didn't care much for Bush or Gore, but she voted for Bush anyway.

America's citizens are a very strange group of people. Although we love to debate politics, many Americans don't vote, and IMO, shouldn't have any say in what is going on. But it is their RIGHT to vote, and not to vote.... And I really cannot condemn them for following their own path as given to them by the US Constitution.