Why I Didn’t Vote

vote i disagree. the alternative may be having a portiz throw people in the dungeon without due process. we have rights and we should uphold them, Reply

Who will run the government? John Adams wrote to his son: “Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or another. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.”

Given the disappointing choices our parties are offering, perhaps it is time for some new blood. Any takers? Reply

I didn't vote because... I needed more time to make my decision and as well wanted to make sure that I know more about each candidate and what they stand for. I am afraid that I may have to give an account to G-d for my mistakes in electing one that has no fear of G-d; one that is exploiting mankind; one that is immoral, and leading the nations astray from G-dly precepts.

Take your time, folks! Don't get emotional. Reply

Glad I'm in America Blessed is G-d that we can participate in our nation's government and not have to worry about pogroms. Seems my family came here because of something like that.

While I have missed an election or two due to work or family obligations, I, like my father and brother before me, served in the armed forces of the US to say thank you for my freedom and the ability to practice my faith freely.

I think the rabbi should reconsider the effect of seeing an obviously religious Jew (the paisis give it away) go to vote on others in the community. It is part of belonging to the American community. Going to vote may even be a mitzvah. Reply

To Mr. Papara You chose to use highly inflammatory rhetoric in wording your "meta message", and while you definitely have the right to express your opinion, you had better get your facts straight if you're going to hit below the belt.

There is no obligation to vote. None. We have the right to vote. In your zeal to attack religion as the root of this evil, you have exxagerated the importance of the cause you promote.

You can draw your own conclusion regarding the "meta message" of your comment. Reply

Wrong Menachem, this is ludicrous. In a primary, it doesn't matter if your state is very liberal or very conservative, you're only voting for one party. Perhaps your argument would apply in a general election, but certainly not in this case. Reply

Usually, even one vote counts You chose FL and MI to say your vote would count. Not this year, the Dems won't seat/count our delegates at all, the Reps. will seat/count only half!!

But my first vote included a revote. In Ann Arbor, MI there was an area that was township, not city. Twelve people from that area were permitted to vote in the wrong place, casting votes for mayor, though they weren't residents. With a close vote count these were challenged, and the people were ordered to tell who they voted for. Eleven did. Then the votes were completely balanced. The last one said how any one person votes is secret, and should remain so. Also she did not remember her ultimate decision, even if she were inclined to say, she could not. This went all the way to the US Supreme Court. They found in her favor, how anyone votes is secret. The city had to redo the election.

To end confusion, the areas of Ann Arbor Township that were surrounded by AA City were incorporated into the city. No repeats! Reply

I disagree I voted. Not because I thought that any issu would be decided by one vote. Rather, I voted because I was voting in favor of voting. One number that is important is how many of the registered voters turned out.

I would hate to have the powers that be think that I wasn't watching. Reply

The Rebbe: serial voter? I've heard it said that the Rebbe would vote in every single election? Is this true? Is Rabbi Posner aware of this?

P.S. Isn't my subject line catchy? I bet images of dishonest vote-early-vote-often rabbis flashed across your minds! Just a little fun. Reply

I blame Religion Dear Joe from Idaho and Moishele,

Our author certainly has idealism, as evidenced by his devotion to the Torah lifestyle, but his idealism doesn't extend to his civic duties. Why not? Because his religious orientation focuses all his idealistic impulses towards Torah and mitzvos.

In everything there are messages and meta messages. The message of this post is: one vote is meaningless; one mitzvah is meaningful. The meta message is: because of my devotion to Torah I don't find it necessary to fulfill my civic obligations. Reply

First of all, Mazal Tov To Rabbi Posner And second, I agree with Joe papara. If you have an option to influence, you must do so. You can't stay home and say "who M i, only 1 out of 256 million voters. It does not matter anyways". Because so many people in this country think like you, and that's why we're in trouble. Reply

*Sigh* There you have it folks - the transition from a teenager's idealism to a twenty-something's cynicism in 249 words. Or for the optimistic twenty-somethings out there, realism.

Oh well. It's a wheel that turns... Reply

Right on Rabbi! I haven't voted since Barry Goldwater. Reply

I agree with Mister Papara Anyone who like Kerry's hair is indeed a dumbo.

I think the greatest-haired candidate of all times was Howard Dean. It's a shame he lost. Reply

Is this democracy? Rabbi Posner, if all our citizens took your approach, our great republic would quickly be overrun by a small elite and their hordes of stupid sycophantic voters! Every citizen who meets the constitutional requirements should vote regardless of the "effectiveness" of his or her vote. By merely casting your ballot you are saying,"This government belongs to me! Not the politicians in Washington or the dumbos who choose Obama because he's handsome or Kerry because his hair is nice!" Reply