voter's dilemna

@tokouchi (370)
Philippines
November 6, 2009 3:46pm CST
I asked my friend yesterday about who he is rooting for to be our next president, and i was very disturbed about his answer. he said he wanted "candidate A" for president but will not vote him because he is sure to lose, so for his vote not to be wasted, he will vote "candidate B" who has a bigger chance of winning. Now i wonder, if everyone would think this way, then the deserving candidates will never win. What's your take and what would you do if you were in his shoes? Go for candidate A who is very competent but has a low winning chance? or candidate B who is popular just because you want him to win over the other popular candidates?
5 responses
@shanemre (357)
• Saudi Arabia
7 Nov 09
the voting dilemna for me is whether there is a desrving candidate for the position. I'd rather not vote and have my vote wasted. Nothing change... My vote will not matter, sure that in the end the country will be in the same place as it is now... or worse.
@shanemre (357)
• Saudi Arabia
8 Nov 09
it doesn't matter, it's their game. If they want to use, even if I don't want they can, and they will. It doesn't matter to me, I am not seeing any change, the country is not getting any better. One vote wasted for a dirtygame will give dirty results as well.
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
8 Nov 09
We need to change that mindset my friend, I know it hard, I understand your feelings. But if we tolerate this things, it's like telling them to do it again. We have to at least do what we can. Nothing will come our way if we stay passive. It is better do lose fighting than to just sit around wait for your defeat. Think if it my friend.
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
It will matter, because someone else will vote in your name. It's better to submit an empty balot than to not vote at all. That way you avoid your name being used by some dirty politicians.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
6 Nov 09
My answer would be obvious. I would vote for someone that is competent. My opinion about the voting situation in the Philippines is, even before it takes place, the cards have already been dealt. Many of the people in congress have already been eyeing the one they'll support. That's not to say that the voting system has no hope. It still does but the future of the country lies in the people. Unfortunately, many feel hopeless. Many think and feel that the country will never be rid of its corrupt officials. Most leave the country for greener pastures. Either way, I hope whoever will win will do right by the people.
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
6 Nov 09
That is exactly where i stand. It's a shame that most of the masses really don't think much about who to vote and their qualifications as long as they are popular or as long as they act good and nice in public. The mindset of the voters really need to be straightened out.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
7 Nov 09
Thanks for choosing my comment. I think the problem is this. Most people get their education and information about politics through the media (TV or Radio). So, it really depends on what or who they listen to and that is where they form their opinions. There is media bias, we know that for sure, and so it rubs off on the people. Most people refuse or are too lazy to go seek out what's real and what's not. They rely on media outlets and other people's opinions to form their own. Sometimes, you can even hear comments like: "I don't like him" or "I don't like her" but when you ask the reason why, they can't really give you a valid response. It's sad that until now, the general public hasn't learned their lesson. It's not a popularity contest. I do hope that people would take more interest in voting for the right person instead of just voting for any random guy and then complaining about how the Government is after.
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
Very true, they write the names of people they know, disregarding more competent candidates with less profile. It's sad but it is a reality and a harsh reality at that.
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
Right now I don't know who I'm going to vote I need to think about it carefully. As of now it is hard to decide who are deserving for my vote. We have time to decide who are we going to vote and let us vote wisely.
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
I know how you feel, they all look the same. But still i will vote, if i have to submit an empty ballot i will, just to prevent my name being used by politicians in their schemes.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
That's your friends opinion and we can't anything about it, enlighten him maybe. Hopefully their type consists only of a few otherwise we will not move forward as a nation. Cheers!
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
I have tried my very earnest best to try and convince him to vote the candidate he wants, as of now he does not seem interested. I still hope he changes his mind. If all voters were as critical I think we will never have any problems like this.
• Philippines
6 Nov 09
Very interesting discussion. I'm 24 and haven't voted yet. I know I have to but I choose to abstain. I think anyone who can go online in the internet, read the broadsheet (not tabloids) and actually have common sense will know that a competent leader is the better choice amongst the two. Your friend may be joking when he said that to you(atleast I hope so). I have friends who joke the same but we know it's all a joke It's sad but I lost faith in the voting system in the Philippines. Here's what I think: People are still divided between those who are filthy rich, middle-class and the crowd favorite "masa" or common men The higher population goes to the "masa". Take it against me but they seem to put the Philippines hostage by their own personal interests. They vote out of popularity or those who give them money or those actor-turned politicians who they admire in movies. They live in their own comfortable way just waiting to have some blessing from above. There will always be some exception and those are the few that I admire. People who rise from what they were born as and succeed in life Come to think of it, only tax-payers should be allowed to vote. Who pays for the government salaries and expenses? It's those working-class men who lose part of their income right? I mean it's not bad to help the poor. It's a good thing actually. But the poor just sometimes make their situation an excuse so they get what they want. Until then they will never be successful, so will the country who continue to dwell on the whinnings of such men. It's sad that the people who actually have more right to choose their leader is powerless against what the masa choose. Masa keeps on holding demostrations here and there but only fight for their own vested interests. The spirit of democracy has indeed been abusive in what was once known to be a country that introduced people power to the world I can accept a president who is corrupt but atleast leaves one or two good legacies in the country over a president who does nothing but tries to please people with charisma and popularity. PGMA is one of the most hated presidents now but I think she did a couple of good that I appreciate. I don't mind her spending my tax money for luxurious meals. Every president has his or her own way of being corrupt anyway. Just start from the smallest political base, even a barangay captain earns more than he should don't you think?
@tokouchi (370)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
The sad part is, he IS serious. His reasoning is like this, "why waste my vote for a losing candidate? I'll just use it to vote a winnable candidate to keep the other winnable candidates (the ones i really don't want to become president) from winning, that way my vote is significant".