Huffy, melodramatic, self-righteous non-voters alternate between making me mad and making me laugh. This morning they are making me laugh, which is good for me at least. I mean seriously: can you think of a more petty/comfortably-situated-person-problem to get indignant about than the fact that we peacefully get together every once in a while and figure out the composition of our representative, constitutional, democratic government that's been going strong for well over two centuries - and then we all equally peacefully go about our own business?
Cry me a river, guys. If you think this is the road to serfdom, then you're going to have a lot bitterness in your life.
I strongly prefer the apathetic/not invested non-voter to the huffy, melodramatic, self-righteous non-voter.
And yes, there is a valid asymmetry between you guys and voters that encourage other people to vote. Why is that asymmetry valid? Because it's a good thing that free people get together and decide who will represent them in a self-governing enterprise. You can be non-chalant about it, that's fine. But if you're actively hostile to that of all things, you're being a dumbass.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
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"...and then we all equally peacefully go about our own business?"
ReplyDeleteGiven the nature of much of police procedure, the focus of our legal sanctions, etc. that peacefully going about your business thing gets different mileage depending on where you live and your skin color.
Absolutely.
DeleteWhat do you think those with skin colors that disproportionately put them in the sites of police would think about people whining about voting?
That's one thing you rarely see a black guy (particularly older ones) or non-violent ex-cons that are disenfranchised complain about: "gee this whole voting thing is such a hoax - you're just picking your own slave master", etc. etc.. Nope. Don't hear that all that much.
It's usually very comfortably situated people that have had the vote all along that populate the bitch and moan caucus.
Huffy, melodramatic, self-righteous
ReplyDeletePaging Dr. Feud.
Oh now even you have to admit how over the top these guys are!
DeleteYou have a great approach (I'm assuming you're less dedicated to the ballot box?). You demand paleo recipes and kittens. You do it light-heartedly.
Anyone who a political blog they post to frequently is going to be huffy, melodramatic and self-righteous. Just sayin'.
Deletesame thought as bob
DeleteSee note on the substantial asymmetry of this issue in the main post.
DeleteThere is no escaping from your long trail of hipster irony on this, Murphy!
The other Murphy has been more jocular... he might get a pass.
I'm not the one repeating platitudes learned in grade school and pretending that is wisdom. This blog in general would be much better if you stopped that.
Deletewtf are you talking about? Where do I present grade school platitudes?
DeleteAnd while we're on the subject, it's not like we oughta trash everything from grade school. There was some good stuff.
DeleteBut I presume the good stuff is not what you're referring to.
Read your own post. Compare/contrast to a very naive civics class. You also don't know what my own views on voting are, though I've made them public: http://increasingmu.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/preferences-over-beliefs-and-the-paradox-of-votin/
DeleteRyan I remember that post. I might miss a bullet point here or there but I know your views on voting more or less.
DeleteIt's the hipster/ironist "paradox of voting" view that chuckles at the silly people who disagree.
Now instead of just repeating the assertion, is there anything you can actually point to that's allegedly naive grade school talk?
And while I'm at it, Dr. Freud too.
ReplyDeleteI focus my proselytizing on voters and voting advocates who make bad arguments. I get annoyed by people who go around telling everyone to vote because "what if your vote is what changes the election" (it won't) or "if nobody voted then the system wouldn't work" (yes, and my vote would change that how?) or "make your voice heard" (go go futility) or "it will be your fault if the wrong man gets elected" (really? How?) etc... You want to argue for the ecological rationality of voting? the altruistic act? the symbolic significance? Fine. Those and some others are perfectly good reasons. But I get really annoyed at all those people running around telling me I should vote and justifying it with 3rd grade logic.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I must confess that like all jaded people, I take a little bit of a guilty pleasure in crushing youthful naive idealism.
On the presidential level I can see where you are coming from. However, I would argue that at the more local level your vote could actually make a difference, particularly with the significantly lower turnout in local elections.
DeleteDefinitely. Of course, solid information about local races can be paradoxically harder to locate making your vote ceterus paribus less informed.
DeleteThe world is run by the people who show up.
ReplyDeleteThis! This is exactly the sort of thing that drives me nuts. The world is emphatically not run by people who show up at the ballot box. If you think it is a civic duty to vote fine. (I think you're wrong but reasonable people can disagree) But please no silly aphorisms about only the people who vote being allowed to complain or the world being run by the people who show up.
Deletehttp://www.volokh.com/2012/11/06/the-case-for-abstaining-from-voting-on-issues-where-you-are-ignorant/
ReplyDeleteIlya Somin has a very good explanation of one among many reasons why one might choose not to vote. In the United States where you vote for some many issues, you will probably be ignorant on many candidates and issues and most likely do not (and did not) have the time to become adequately informed. In those cases, it is better to not vote. First, do no harm.
Daniel, This is a childish post. Considering you are an economist with a pretty elementary understanding of moral and political philosophy in general and democratic philosophy in particular, I would have expected you to be a little more reserved, displaying a little more restraint and modesty in your condemnations. I guess this is what to expect during "political season".
ReplyDelete