election fever my country,do I vote or not?

@bryanwmc (1051)
Malaysia
April 8, 2013 8:07am CST
I live in a supposedly democratic country where we choose our goverment through the polls , i say supposedly because the current coalition goverment has always won the marjority vote and have been in power for 55 years,but with allegations of rigging, i have abstained from voting because frankly,i support neither side. A trust issue with me. National coalition and opposition also a coalition but both are same to me, kettle and pot despite all the rhetoric on reform and change. still can't help to be excited at what will transpire because finally a serious challenge can be mounted by the opposition and it will be balanced with no sure win on either side.So good to know that the young generation is politically more aware and will no longer put up with Goverment knows best attitude.just key in bersih 3 in You Tube and one can see what i mean when thousands protested in streets of KL for clean and fair elections and was brutalised. compared to my generation, the current youngsters are so up to speed on developments mainly because of social media, so the internet is really world changing, print and TV media can be bias and controlled or muffled by the goverment like in Malaysia but not the internet..any one a passive observer and not bother to vote because cannot find a political party to support wholeheartedly.?
3 responses
@francesca5 (1344)
8 Apr 13
I didn't vote in the last election in the uk, because I was very unhappy with what was on offer, but I will vote in the next election, even if only to encourage a shift of direction. Rather than voting for a party of my choice. If I were in your situation I would vote tactically, to cause the most trouble. If voting for the opposition causes a few problems for the government then it might be worth doing. Change doesn't come by doing nothing, and if younger people want change then I would ride along with them, and vote whichever way they are. Change is usually slow and comes in stages, but we can help it along a little.
@mythociate (21437)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
8 Apr 13
Yes, I kinda do; because--since I'm registered as an Independent--I can't vote in any of the 'party caucases.' So I'm not sworn to support either team 'right or wrong.' (I know not even members of any party are 'sworn' to support their team, but "Republicans voting Democrat" sounds an awful lot like 'Anakin Skywalker joining the Sith (the Dark-Side Jedis)'---and you saw how THAT turned out!) I think voting-or-not is about 'taking responsibility as part of the country's government.' If you vote, you have more at-stake concerning the country's direction: either 'you voted it in, so you'd better help fix it' or 'you voted against it, so the people had better listen to what you have to say about your country's problems now!'
• Philippines
8 Apr 13
Yes you must, exercise your right of suffrage. It is fun