Why should I vote?

J_V · #1 10-24-2006, 08:08 PM

1. for civic duty is not an argument
2. because our country was founded on it, doesn't fly
3. because if no one voted, our gov't couldn't function is fallacious as well.

I would like someone smarter than me to explain why I should cast my meaningless vote when my Utilty Curve suggests I do otherwise?

And if I were to vote and believed strongly in a candidate, why would I not be better off taking that time and convincing MANY others to vote.

FortunaMaximus · #2 10-24-2006, 08:12 PM

Why take one breath? You're going to need millions. <shrugs>

vhawk01 · #3 10-24-2006, 08:15 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Why take one breath? You're going to need millions. <shrugs>

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry, did you mean "Why take a breath when I can piggyback on the breathing of millions of other people, cost-free?"

FortunaMaximus · #4 10-24-2006, 08:21 PM

No, that you have to take every breath, so you might as well take it.

As for the inference, hmph. It's not like they're not gonna get it back plus more. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

r3vbr · #5 10-24-2006, 08:27 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_rider_problem

J_V · #6 10-24-2006, 09:05 PM

This has nothing to do with free riding. I am adding value to your votes. Were I to vote, the functionality of the government would remain exactly the same. I'm not quite sure I dignified your argument with a response, your arguments thus far arent' heading anywhere near the right direction.

J_V · #7 10-24-2006, 09:08 PM

Do you realize that your argument is that because everyone else is spending money choosing to vote, I should be forced to spend my money also?

If anything I am increasing the weight of their vote. If I were to vote, I would certainly want to rest of the voters to stay home.

J_V · #8 10-24-2006, 09:11 PM

Im going to take it as a personal mission to start breaking down poor arguments. I take breaths because if I didn't my life and the life of others around me would take a turn for the worse.

I dont vote because no matter if I voted or chose not to, myself and the rest of the population would be unaffected.

chezlaw · #9 10-24-2006, 09:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If anything I am increasing the weight of their vote. If I were to vote, I would certainly want to rest of the voters to stay home.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's a nice clear demonstration of the problems with democracy.

Before asking for good reasons for voting perhaps you should consider good reasons for democracy.

chez

hmkpoker · #10 10-24-2006, 09:21 PM

If your perceived utility curve suggests that you shouldn't vote (which applies to me too), then don't vote.

...why is the freerider problem occurring in voting? I thought voting was supposed to eliminate the freerider problem [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]