Do you care?

[emperor]

[with apologies to those unable to vote today, and those who have already voted or decided to vote and are fed up of exhortations to do so]

Do you care who runs the country? Vote!
Do you care if we spend billions on nuclear weapons? Vote!
Do you care how we treat people who come to this country to work? Vote!
Do you care whether or not we join the Euro? Vote!
Do you care if we build affordable housing? Vote!
Do you care if we build all over the green belt? Vote!
Do you care if the poor are taken care of? Vote!
Do you care about the equality of women? Vote!
Do you care if we keep burning oil until it all runs out? Vote!
Do you care if we spend millions on renewable energy sources? Vote!
Do you care about free education? Vote!
Do you care about the wars we engage in? Vote!
Do you care about how NHS spending is prioritised? Vote!
Do you care about human rights? Vote!
Do you care about public funding of the arts, museums, and other cultural institutions? Vote!
Do you care about how the internet is regulated? Vote!
Do you care about criminal justice? Vote!
Do you care about electoral reform? Vote!
Do you care about our society? Vote!
Do you care?

Resist the temptation to say "oh, they're all the same", or "I don't agree with any of them", or "my vote doesn't count". The people standing in your constituency are not all the same. You may well disagree with each of them on major issues (I certainly do!); does that really mean you cannot rank them at all? I suspect most constituencies have at least one odious nutjob standing; at least vote against them. If we end up with a hung parliament tonight, then the number of votes cast for each party might actually influence the negotiations that follow...

Comments

[alitalf.livejournal.com]

I voted - though I would prefer another political party to choose, one aiming for sound administration rather than anything grandiose.

I think I would prefer a single transferable vote to the present system, and the chance to vote for "none of the above" in every constituency.

[sigisgrim.livejournal.com]

I would prefer a single transferable vote to the present system

You and me both. The good thing is that there is a reasonable chance that we might get a suitable change in the system after this election, provided that the Conservatives don't get in and don't get too much of an influence in any coalition government. This is why I hope that lots of people voted Lib Dem, or at a pinch Labour. I'm presuming that there won't be any Green MPs as the current system is too biased against them.

[robert-jones.livejournal.com]

I'm getting a bit fed up with people telling me to vote. Firstly, I've already voted, but secondly, I'll make up my own mind, thanks.

Who is this message aimed at? How many people do you know who think that all politicans are the same? How many are unaware of the connection between the issues you mention and the electoral process? We're not idiots over here.

Sorry: this is probably an over-reaction. It's just that I've seen so many of these posts, and while patronising hectoring is to be expected from some quarters, I expected better of you.

[emperor]

I was not going to post anything, then I became annoyed by comments I read elsewhere.

[(Anonymous)]

Hear hear. Whether you vote is (exactly like who you vote for) entirely up to you.

And moreover, a condescending, hectoring tone usually has the opposite effect to that desired, I find.

S.

[1ngi.livejournal.com]

Have just twonked my brother (24) over the head (via facebook) for saying he wasn't going to vote coz it was all a waste of time. I think he thinks he is being cool - all his mates are say 'yeah mate - agree'. I've got him to consider going and spoiling his paper just so his vote is counted. But he thinks it is all a waste of time and it doesn't matter coz no one cares. I could post a link to this but I think his apathy might actually mean he wouldn't click.

If I could come up with one reason that was relevant to him and his care of his four-year old daughter...

Heaving sigh.

[yrieithydd.livejournal.com]

Child trust funds

Child tax credit

Education (assuming in England)

[edith-the-hutt.livejournal.com]

You forgot:
"Do you fancy a walk in the sunny weather?"
"Do you believe you vote will actually make a difference?"

And:

"Do you feel like writing 'I love for the bastard' in your candidate's box, knowing that they will then be obliged to make a case for the vote counting for them to the returning officer and other candidates at silly o'clock tonight?"


Not that I'm trolling or anything :D

[edith-the-hutt.livejournal.com]

"I vote" not "I love".

Damn, if only I could antagonise better.

[mirabehn.livejournal.com]

I like this post. :-)