In the 1980's pollsters were finding woman who freely admitted to voting the way their husbands or fathers told them, some even had it written down. Not every one cares to participate, and it's not our place to slap them around about it.
(a) I don't think that calling someone's attitude "depressing" is equivalent to violent physical assault, but maybe that's just me.
(b) I find it disturbing that people don't want to participate in selecting their government, considering how many people have struggled, been tortured, and died to give them that right, and how many people go through the same things today in other countries. I'm not denying that they *have* the right not to participate, but I find it deplorable and reprehensible that they choose to exercise it, instead of making even a minimal effort to determine who will make the laws that govern their lives.
(c) Everyone, also, has the right to take whatever sort of advice they wish in deciding how to vote. But a spineless surrender of one's right to someone else, an unwillingness to think for oneself, or a belief that someone else is wiser or has a better (or exclusive) right to vote simply because of their gender is, on the face of it, disgusting and preposterous to me.
We're all entitled to our opinions, and those are mine.
(a) Perhaps the phrase "lead a horse to water..." would have been more correct. I certainly did not mean to imply you were guilty of assault.
Actually I agree with the base points of b&c. My point was to illustrate that even in our country there are people who will not step to the poll and think for themselves. It's interesting to note she is "...keen to take part in the whole process. But I would rather not have to." She seems to be saying she is being forced to vote. Her first quote leads to the same place, "I am not happy about HAVING to vote".
As to being "entitled to our opinions" she is entitled to hers. In the same vein I hope you've known me long enough to know I value your opinion over most peoples facts.*
That's very kind of you, but you shouldn't do that. :-) Facts are facts; to contradict Jeeves's aged female relative, they are not like cows: they will not go away if you stare at them long enough. :-)
My point was to illustrate that even in our country there are people who will not step to the poll and think for themselves.
"I think thinking is so important, my lord!" :-)
What bothers me is the way she says (paraphrasing), "Oh, I'm comfortable--I've got my job, I've got a nice salary, I don't need anything else, so why should I vote." Well, lady, if you're content to have someone else decide whether you get to *keep* those things...
What's even funnier is that there are more women voters in Kuwait than men; they make up 60% of the electorate!
And from what I've been able to find, voting is not *compulsory* in Kuwait (as it is in Australia and some other countries. I think she's just feeling pressured to vote because she now has the option.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-06-30 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-30 03:02 pm (UTC)(b) I find it disturbing that people don't want to participate in selecting their government, considering how many people have struggled, been tortured, and died to give them that right, and how many people go through the same things today in other countries. I'm not denying that they *have* the right not to participate, but I find it deplorable and reprehensible that they choose to exercise it, instead of making even a minimal effort to determine who will make the laws that govern their lives.
(c) Everyone, also, has the right to take whatever sort of advice they wish in deciding how to vote. But a spineless surrender of one's right to someone else, an unwillingness to think for oneself, or a belief that someone else is wiser or has a better (or exclusive) right to vote simply because of their gender is, on the face of it, disgusting and preposterous to me.
We're all entitled to our opinions, and those are mine.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-30 04:50 pm (UTC)Actually I agree with the base points of b&c. My point was to illustrate that even in our country there are people who will not step to the poll and think for themselves. It's interesting to note she is "...keen to take part in the whole process. But I would rather not have to." She seems to be saying she is being forced to vote. Her first quote leads to the same place, "I am not happy about HAVING to vote".
As to being "entitled to our opinions" she is entitled to hers. In the same vein I hope you've known me long enough to know I value your opinion over most peoples facts.*
( Now I'm mad. You made be paraphrase Star Trek )
no subject
Date: 2006-06-30 05:22 pm (UTC)We only hurt the ones we love. :-)
I value your opinion over most peoples facts.*
That's very kind of you, but you shouldn't do that. :-) Facts are facts; to contradict Jeeves's aged female relative, they are not like cows: they will not go away if you stare at them long enough. :-)
My point was to illustrate that even in our country there are people who will not step to the poll and think for themselves.
"I think thinking is so important, my lord!" :-)
What bothers me is the way she says (paraphrasing), "Oh, I'm comfortable--I've got my job, I've got a nice salary, I don't need anything else, so why should I vote." Well, lady, if you're content to have someone else decide whether you get to *keep* those things...
What's even funnier is that there are more women voters in Kuwait than men; they make up 60% of the electorate!
And from what I've been able to find, voting is not *compulsory* in Kuwait (as it is in Australia and some other countries. I think she's just feeling pressured to vote because she now has the option.