Disinterest and apathy are crushing it in the US elections right now

[Chris]

I used to feel like an outcast not voting but now I see I'm part of the crowd!


Disinterest and apathy are crushing it in the US elections right now (http://qz.com/644111/trump-voters-make-up-about-5-6-of-the-voting-age-population/)


So far, Republicans have cast 19.8 million votes at primary and caucus elections this year, and Democrats have cast 14.8 million. But there’s a third force that has once again dwarfed both of these numbers: the great American tradition of disinterest and apathy.

http://i.snag.gy/smjej.jpg

In the states that have held elections so far, about 106 million eligible voters have opted out of the whole thing. Only about a quarter of the voting-age population, or 40% of registered voters, have turned up to the polls. This is true even though Republicans have turned out in record numbers this year....

[Peter1469]

One theory is that people think things are just fine so they don't bother with politics.

[Common Sense]

Scarily that may work to Trump's advantage. His fans/supporters seem motivated.

[Peter1469]

Turnout is the key. Republicans had light turnouts in 08 and 12 because they didn't have a conservative to vote for.

[The Xl]

If that makes a Clinton loss a higher probability, then that's a great thing.

[Chris]

One theory is that people think things are just fine so they don't bother with politics.

I'd argue they think things so fubar they don't bother with politics.

[Hal Jordan]

I'd argue they think things so fubar they don't bother with politics.

That tends to be what I hear. "My vote won't count, and the country's screwed anyway. Why bother?"

[waltky]

Granny says, "So?...

... she don't care.

[Chris]

Granny says, "So?...

... she don't care.

http://i.snag.gy/3Pb3u.jpg

[Peter1469]

I'd argue they think things so fubar they don't bother with politics.

Maybe. The article that I was referring to started with that premise and then concluded it was the other way around and that if people really thought the system was broken they would do something except nothing. Become politically active, peaceful disobedience, or violence.

[Chris]

Maybe. The article that I was referring to started with that premise and then concluded it was the other way around and that if people really thought the system was broken they would do something except nothing. Become politically active, peaceful disobedience, or violence.

Maybe rebuild something suits them better, theirs always that possibility.

[Cthulhu]

Doubt I'm voting, doubt somebody worth voting for will show up.

Sent from my evil, baby seal-clubbing cellphone.

[Cthulhu]

And don't forget kids, Cthulhu's political nugget for now:

"When the masses are ready, the despot will appear."

Sent from my evil, baby seal-clubbing cellphone.

[Dr. Who]

And don't forget kids, Cthulhu's political nugget for now:

"When the masses are ready, the despot will appear."

Sent from my evil, baby seal-clubbing cellphone.
Apropos.

[Mac-7]

Doubt I'm voting, doubt somebody worth voting for will show up.



Good for you.