Frustration Level.... 7.9

Interesting conversation today. Well, interesting in a pull-whats-left-of-my-hair-out sort of way. And interesting considering where I work and the type of people that frequent the place.

I met someone who doesn't vote.

"Okay", thinks I. "Why not?"

"I don't care to." hmmm.....

When pressed, she finally gave me these reasons (in no particular order);

1. I don't want to learn about all that stuff.
2. None of it is relevant to me.
3. My opinion doesn't count for that much. (Yes, she said opinion.)

Wow. Since I couldn't tell her what I thought of those reasons to her face, I get to take the chicken way and blog about them. I know, lucky you.

Here goes.

Reason one: Wow, how unimaginably lazy of you. Don't want to learn about all that stuff. Great, so... you just want someone to tell you which lever to pull and thats good enough for you. Congratulations! YOU ARE THE REASON WE'RE IN THE MESS WE'RE IN NOW! Thanks for playing, we have some nice parting gifts for you off stage.

Reason Two: She expanded on this reason by saying she happy living in her little corner and everyone can leave her alone since she's not bugging anyone else. Really, you think none of this is relevant to you? You want to know how not relevant it is to you? Look at your paycheck. See all that withholding? You realize you're working till late May every year just to pay for the DIRECT taxes that the government takes out? If the Bush "tax cuts" are allowed to expire, you'll be working till the end of June. Literally 50% of your pay will be taken by the government. Tell me how that's not relevant to you?

You know what? All this talk about flat rate or fair or just plain tax reform. Throw it out the window. What I want is a law that says the government can no long do withholding and everyone must write a check every month for what they have to pay in taxes. That more than anything else will bring about tax reform. The second people start actually seeing how much their losing they'll get pissed. Trust me.

Reason Three: Your vote doesn't really count for that much. That has got to be the most self-centered, egotistical, narcissistic thing I've heard since the last presidential address. You wont vote because your opinion doesn't count for that much. Guess what Princess Lookatme, your "opinion" counts for just as much as MY opinion. I wouldn't want it any other way. No, that's not entirely true, I want my opinion to count for more than yours, but that opens up the door for all sorts of political shenanigans and we don't want that. If you think your opinion is so fucking important that it should really REALLY count for more... Guess what, fuck you. I don't want you voting. We've got way to many narcissists in politics now.

Ultimately though, voting is a privilege. Everyone is free to not exercise that privilege if they so choose. But if you don't vote, don't bitch to me about what life hands you.