I've never watched his cartoons but South Park co-creator Matt Stone is on to something:
"It doesn't matter who you're gonna vote for. If you really don't know who you're gonna vote for, or are uninformed, or haven't really thought about it? Just stay home." (San Francisco Chronicle Oct. 17, 2004.)
Amen!
There's a reason why our founding fathers made land ownership a prerequisite for voting. In the 18th century agrarian economy, landowners had a vested interest on electoral outcomes. With property so closely tied to economy, land matters were money matters, and therefore political matters.
Fast forward to 2004.
Information — and the manipulation thereof — has already become one of the United States' most valuable commodities. Think internet. Think snap polls. Think round-the-clock TV/radio news. With the presidential election less than 3 weeks away, it is unfathomable for any tuned-in voter to be undecided (although they've shown us they are quite capable of voting for their favorite American Idol contestant). Stone's message: Information drop-outs should stay at home.
"If you really don't know or you're just going to vote for George Bush because he's already in office, or you're gonna vote for John Kerry because he's on the cover of Rolling Stone, don't do that. That's lame."
Originally posted at Reporterette.com
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
I am in favor of get out the vote efforts in general because I think/hope that by becoming part of the process, more people will be motivated to get informed, to feel a sense of responsibility for their governments, and to be better citizens. But I agree voting for the sake of voting accomplishes nothing in particular.
Thanks and welcome Yvette!
2 - andy marsh
I agree and I would follow it with this statement.
If you don't vote, don't bi...I mean complain!