Monday, April 11, 2005

Too Gullible to Vote

The losers win, the winners lose
What doesn't change is the dirt, the rags, and the stupidity
At dusk in disappointment they scatter
Each one returning to his pitch black house.

Ai Qing (1910 - 1996), Chinese poet

Many would-be voters in last year's presidential election were denied access to the polls through trickery and intimidation, former Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry told the Massachusetts League of Women Voters on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Kerry cited examples of how people were duped into not voting. "Leaflets are handed out saying Democrats vote on Wednesday, Republicans vote on Tuesday. People are told in telephone calls that if you've ever had a parking ticket, you're not allowed to vote," he said.

If those people were so naïve and possibly so ignorant to not vote because of a traffic ticket or believed they were to vote on Wednesday, then they did not deserve to vote. I believe there is a certain responsibility to be informed if you are going to vote. I have no sympathy for those people and I think Kerry is making a mistake to even bring it up.

6 comments:

B2 said...

Talk about gullible -- there were moments when I was convinced that Kerry actually had a chance. What was I thinking?

bitchphd said...

No, no. The point is that such tactics are illegal. And that there is no means test for voting in this country.

Anyway, I see no reason why someone who could believe that a parking ticket invalidates one's right to vote is any less deserving of suffrage than someone who believes that Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11. Particularly given that there is a long history in some parts of the country of the powers that be denying people their right to vote for all sorts of things.

The Misanthrope said...

Bitchphd, you are absolutely right. It is just that one group abdicates its responsibility while the other group maliciously takes that for granted. In some sense both are guilty, but only one of a true crime.

Chandira said...

Yes. I guess stupid happens though!

That sticks in me, as I don't have a vote here. I should by 2008. And hopefully all those stupid people learned from it.

Janet said...

I admit it, I voted for Kerry and I don't regret doing so. But if there is even an ounce of truth in what Kerry is claiming,then that takes the sadness I feel for our country to a whole new level.

Chandira said...

Janet, good for you! I would have voted for him too.
I gave $'s to the campaign, something I'd NEVER have done previously..