Why You Can Still Complain Even If You Don’t Vote…
Recently on Facebook, a discussion emerged about voting and someone trotted out the old saying of ‘if you don’t vote, you can’t complain’. I’ve always found this an interesting expression. I’ve also always found it patently false.
The logic is that if you aren’t ‘in’ the process, you have no say. But the Constitution of the United States says no such thing. There is no requirement to vote. Check the bearings. You can’t be fined for not voting. Yet, you still maintain your First Amendment rights to free speech and free press. You can complain all you want. You can create a newspaper called ‘The Non-Voting, Government-Hating Daily’ if you like.
If you choose not to vote, you may very well be making the statement that you support none of these clowns at all. And I say, heck yes, my friend, do not vote. (Especially if you were leaning conservative. What? I kid. I kid.)
October 28th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
You kid about leaning to the conservative? Nah, never!
Besides, who knows if someone really voted or not. I mean just because someone says they did doesn’t mean they actually did so there’s another reason that doesn’t hold up. You will find a certain percentage of people will complain no matter the outcome so …. ‘nough said 
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Patrick D. Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Well, you do get that sticker if you vote.
October 28th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I’ve been known to vote for a third party candidate if I don’t like either of the mainline party ones…I figure I’m expressing MY opinion more than if I stayed home and did nothing.
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November 2nd, 2010 at 8:48 am
You are right. Freedom of Religion means you don’t have to have a religion, freedom of speech means you have the right to remain silent, well, that and the whole 5th amendment thing, I guess the right to STFU is pretty important, and the right to vote includes the right not to vote, because not voting is voting, right?
Anyway, I voted like a good liberal and am keeping my fingers crossed.
Patrick D. Reply:
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:50 am
My outlook for today is not good, but I too have my fingers crossed. Thanks for commenting.
November 2nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
That’s where most of us have it wrong…yeah, it’s always touted as our Right to Vote, but really it should be our Responsibilty.
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December 9th, 2010 at 11:54 am
I’m so sick of the American sheeple who regurgitate meaningless phrases like “if you don’t vote you cannot complain”.
What if I don’t like and/or trust any of my options? I refuse to cower-down and choose the lesser of two evils, as many Americans do when they vote.
Imagine if I offered you 3 choices; a bowl of excrement, a bowl of vomit or neither of the two. That is what I am offered every 4 years. Sorry, I will opt-out until I see someone viable.
In the meantime, I will exercise my right to freedom of speech and will complain accordingly.
Patrick D. Reply:
December 10th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Wow, dude. You have some anger.
December 14th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Thank you for the meaningless ad hominem contribution.
No anger here on my side of the screen. Just dumbfounded by people who believe that you should vote, no matter what. It boggles the mind.
Patrick D. Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Well, you don’t have to be a dick about it.