To vote or not to vote... that is the question
By RookRocks
@RookRocks (381)
Philippines
April 17, 2007 12:24pm CST
For a newly registered voter, it is a tough decision on who to vote for. You want to make your first-time worth it. You want to get it right. You want to be a pioneer of change.
Choosing who to vote for is problematic, however. Especially if there is not much choice to make. There may be a plethora of candidates, but they are all the same.
Choosing now is between two, three... or more evils. Take for example the congressman race in my district. Both are accused of graft, both are trying to establish a dynasty, both are known for vote-buying.
So, vote or abstain. Personally, it will be very painful for me, and is against my principle, to vote for any of them. If I vote, then it would appear like I condone their misdemeanors and inefficiencies. If I abstain, then I have no right to complain, as I have no claim on their success.
What to do, what to do...
8 responses
@fjordz (66)
• Philippines
21 Apr 07
you should vote.. as a first time voter, this is our own way of telling the whole wide world that we can make a difference.. if the yeaterdays genertion didnt make it to pursue their dreams,. its our fight now agianst corruption.. this is our fight! hehehe..
www.fjordz-hiraya.blogspot.com
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
21 Apr 07
Hehe. I admire your optimism. I wish I could share that. Sadly, I'm very pessimistic when it comes to changing the country through electoral means. But I still hope against all odds.
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
20 Apr 07
Aw. now don't be like that. U should at least experience one. Sure registration is a pain, but u get an ID. :)
@elpiesworld (75)
• Philippines
19 Apr 07
you should vote. its the one thing you can do for your country, regardless of having good, honest candidates runnning or not.
you should just try to assess who are the least likely to turn out corrupt once they get into position as well as seeing the works they have done in the past.
there isn't really a hoard of sensible candidates around, but there are a handful out there who realy are dedicated in their work. still, their are others who are just trying to get into position for popularity, money and of course power. others can do their share of "helping the people" in their own little way, without going into the political scene. i think that's the most patriotic, nationalistic decision and action anyone can make.
vote wisely.
1 person likes this
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
19 Apr 07
I actually tried doing that, in the form of community voluntarism. Still, even though the political arena is but a single channel in heralding change, I think it is one of the very important ones. I will vote, and choose critically. I agree that there are few who are worth my vote, and who I will gladly support. The quantity is the problem. I'm yet to reach half of my senatorial line-up.
@ryanphil01 (4182)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
i have participated in many elections already. i exercised and will exercise again my right to vote who i think are capable to lead our country. there was one election time when i abstained from voting for the presidency because i personally had no choice whom to elect. as to the senatorial line up, it's my usual habit not to complete the list because i only choose who i think are the best and capable to make laws of our land.
as to your dilemna whether to vote or abstain from electing your district's representative in which both are accused of graft and corruption, i'd rather not cast my vote to either of the two because my conscience dictates it so. if either of them wins, i cannot blame myself, but to accept reality.
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
That last statement makes sense. But I ask myself, if I will not vote on any of them, will it really help in the long run? If I don't vote, it means I don't put stakes on the future of my community. If I don't choose, it meant I didn't do anything to change anything. My no-voting doesn't promote anything. While voting anyone of them would at least (in principle) either improve or aggravate the already worse situation in some levels. But at least I've chosen, right? And had hoped for a change.
But on the personal level, it will be a huge sacrifice on my part if I voted, since I don't believe anyone of them is worth my trust. You're right, and I appreciate you clearing my head on this matter, I shouldn't vote if my conscience dictates so. But I worry. It felt like being selfish.
In the end I ask, do I stand to my principles and not vote for any? Or should I think beyond my principles and see the community and the change it requires and sacrifice my principles?
I am yet to decide. Both are strong arguments.
@jayparalejas (193)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
I think as a part of the community and this country we have the right to have a say who will be our next leaders. and for me your vote will count and no matter how nasty the reputation of these leaders will be at least you have done your part in choosing who's the best. and i am telling you it's worth to vote. even if you don't trust the comelec. well i can't blame you even i am having a problem with that. well vote. you are a filipino it's your right.
1 person likes this
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
19 Apr 07
Well said. Yes I will vote. My problem is whether to vote on certain slots or not. But the other comments made me realize that even if the candidates are not worth it, I still have to do so if I want to have the right to complain. Thanks.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
I can see your point but I guess being a newly registered voter you should exercise your right to vote. If you think that no one deserves to earn your vote its also your right not to vote for them at all. At least you casted your vote that is still an exercise of your rights. For the national election its really difficult because it seems no one is really capable of since if you look for the opposition what they have is that battlecry that they eradicate corruption but they have failed to do so with the millions of exposes none had been resolved at all as with administration candidates most have either dubious reputation with their performance as government leaders and some are not known at all. Oh well just exercise your right to vote and choose a few that you think could help and contribute for our country.
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
I suppose for the country there really is nothing left for me to do but vote. I may not vote all, but at least I've participated on things which I think will matter - like the partylist or some senators.
@jayparalejas (193)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
I think as a part of the community and this country we have the right to have a say who will be our next leaders. and for me your vote will count and no matter how nasty the reputation of these leaders will be at least you have done your part in choosing who's the best. and i am telling you it's worth to vote. even if you don't trust the comelec. well i can't blame you even i am having a problem with that. well vote. you are a filipino it's your right.
1 person likes this
