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sappatoti -> RE: .tovoteinsilence. (12/12/2007 10:14:14 AM)
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Darcy, I couldn't agree with you more. Activists who actually vote will get my ear and open mind while those who don't will not. It's that simple.
A story...
About twenty years ago or so, one of the minor regional socialistic activists of that time was the "warm up" act to a gathering where Jesse Jackson was the keynote speaker. Since this assembly was taking place during my lunch hour, and being held outside within walking distance, I went to listen to what these people had to say. Of course, as with any assembly where Jesse Jackson was speaking, there are protesters and signs everywhere... many different causes trying to out shout each other for the building limelight.
When this regional activist started speaking, it was the usual recipe of how a more socialistic society would certainly be better than the one that was present at the time. Nothing new, until he closed off his speech with, "the only way this can come about is if the people will it." Of course, there was a large thundering ovation to that. The speaker then asked to see the hands of all those who registered and actively voted at all levels of government, not just in the national races. Only a fraction of the many thousands of people raised their hands. Incredulously, those that didn't have their hands up immediately started booing, hissing, and generally jeering those that did. One by one, those brave enough to admit to actually voting started to drop their hands, as if they were suddenly humiliated. When almost all of the hands were down, those that were jeering changed to cheering, as if they had won some great moral victory.
The speaker waited until the crowd settled down, and simply stated that in his mind, those who had their hands up were the heros, and those who didn't should be ashamed of themselves. He went on to say that those who vote are the solution, and those who don't are the problem. This speaker, while advocating a socialistic type of government, was definitely all for it coming about by a voted mandate of the people, and not through some underhanded bureaucratic back-door politics. The speaker concluded his thoughts by saying that those who didn't vote are directly responsible for the way things are.
That was twenty years ago. Since then, I've noticed a number of minor media reporters who, when covering a political gathering or protest, often ask those being interviewed if they regularly vote. More often than not, they don't... they're just there to help "stir the pot," so to speak. So, if that's the case, how does one tell who to take seriously?
In my mind, if someone is not willing to take the time to express their opinions by the act of voting, and at ALL levels of government, then I'm not willing to take the time to hear their opinions vocally.
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