# I live in the US, but I don't vote. Never have, never will. Ask Me Anything if you want. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 8, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059 "2016-11-08T13:49:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/201 "2016-11-09T00:03:18Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > For what it’s worth, I am apathetic about pretty much everything. I don’t believe you. Probably has something to do with this exchange: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > What do you care about? > [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Reading, computers, trivia, Youtube, Facebook, movies, shows. > > Not sports, not anything politics, not anything religion, not much current events. People who are apathetic about “pretty much everything” don’t go around posting the kind of stuff you do. They certainly don’t care enough to be a message board mod. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/202 "2016-11-09T00:05:22Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > For what it’s worth, I am apathetic about pretty much everything. Are you depressed, or have you been tested for possible depression? If you are apathetic about pretty much everything, you may be. And if you are, that might be a situation you’ll want to address. ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/203 "2016-11-09T00:29:39Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Well no one said what you were responding to. That poor straw man. > [@octopus](#): > > Oh noes! A nipple slip. What is this insult time on the short bus? > > It takes real work to appear as stupid as you are. If you honestly think that some people don’t value what is freely given you must be living under a rock. > > I knew the education system was somewhat shitty I didn’t know we have regressed this badly as a nation that a supposed adult can’t parse simple sentences with simple contingencies. Let’s see: you said that if you don’t work or sacrifice then you don’t appreciate. I called bullshit, used myself as an example and pointed out that your logic has been used to deny the underprivileged assistance forever. You came back with no response to what I said except to say I must have been a short bus victim of poor schooling (granted you were talking your country’s system not mine - fair enough) and that I couldn’t parse. I replied with a re-statement of the position that led to your above comments and mocked the system that produced you. Point out the strawman sludgefuck. > [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Meh. Precisely what I expected. Does this mean you aren’t proud of me?:(? ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/204 "2016-11-09T00:34:34Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Are you depressed, or have you been tested for possible depression? If you are apathetic about pretty much everything, you may be. And if you are, that might be a situation you’ll want to address. **Idle Thoughts** already copped to being depressive. Yet everyone still wants to bag. Picking on the mentally ill for having unorthodox or inconsistent opinions. You all must feel real proud of yourselves. Fighting ignorance indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/205 "2016-11-09T00:57:19Z")
Ever since I pointed out that guilt trips aren’t likely to make the OP vote, it’s been more guilt trips and he’s still just as ambivalent. I conclude that tactic has failed. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/206 "2016-11-09T01:01:57Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > I don’t care about taxes, I don’t pay them. I don’t plan on breaking any laws. I am not employed. No, I don’t really care about any of those things. Or rather, I’m not WORRIED about any of them. Do you live independently? As in have your own residence? How do you pay for things? Government-sponsored disability payments? Do you not care about that? If republicans had their way, you’d be getting a lot less money (if any). It seems to me that saying “I don’t care” as the reason for not voting is a cop-out and not really an answer. You live as a part of society, so on _some_ level you have to care. Saying “I don’t care” is a cop-out to your selfishness and laziness. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/207 "2016-11-09T01:08:04Z")
I only skimmed the first page of responses, but I have to say that I am entirely behind Idle’s feelings. I too only vote when I know and care about the issues AND feel like it will matter. For instance, I of course want Hillary to win. BUT I don’t know or care jack shit about the local issues. And if I go to just vote for Hillary, I’ll inevitably vote blind on the other shit. Do you really want me doing that? And let’s face it, what are the chances she needs my vote here in CA? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/208 "2016-11-09T01:13:30Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I don’t believe you. Okay. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/209 "2016-11-09T01:17:11Z")
I have no doubt that **Idle Thoughts** is depressed. But by his own words, there has never been a time when he has kept up with current events and politics. Has he been depressed his entire life? So yeah, some things can be chalked up to faulty brain chemistry. Other things can be chalked up to…something else. Sometimes that “something else” can be fixed with just a little introspection and self-questioning. I hope the posts here are enough to elicit this kind of reaction in **Idle**. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/210 "2016-11-09T01:31:55Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > . > > Precisely what I expected. Does this mean you aren’t proud of me?:(? You? You don’t even register. ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/211 "2016-11-09T01:41:02Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > You? You don’t even register. I sure do. Every election. Can you not read before you hand down your verdicts? Never have I seen a username so perfectly fit one’s professed outlook. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/212 "2016-11-09T02:16:43Z")
This came to mind while reading Idle Thoughts’ idle thoughts: [Ah don’t caaaaaaaaaaare!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTEItbyMOH8&feature=youtube_gdata_player) But I’ve never lodged an absentee vote for my mother country, so I can’t point the finger. I think I’d vote in my country of residence if I had the right. Dear American Dopers, may sanity prevail this day. Good wishes from a humble Aussie. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/213 "2016-11-09T04:26:05Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > **Idle Thoughts** already copped to being depressive. > > Yet everyone still wants to bag. > > Picking on the mentally ill for having unorthodox or inconsistent opinions. You all must feel real proud of yourselves. > > Fighting ignorance indeed. Didn’t realize. Thanks. I hope everyone backs off. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/214 "2016-11-09T05:14:42Z")
And we are now reaping what you helped sow, you vapid stupid piece of shit. But heh, you don’t follow politics. ---
**Author:** ![Debillw3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Debillw3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debillw3)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/215 "2016-11-09T05:25:52Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Didn’t realize. Thanks. I hope everyone backs off. Why? 1. the poster in question quite literally asked for this and 2. being depressed doesn’t excuse one from being an asshole–it’s not a free pass Whether or not this behavior qualifies as “being an asshole” is debatable, but some posters obviously feel it does. Given the OP’s responses throughout the thread, I’m not inclined to disagree with those posters. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/216 "2016-11-09T05:28:08Z")
I think people who don’t vote ought to be ashamed of themselves, as I consider it a duty. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/217 "2016-11-09T05:46:47Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I think people who don’t vote ought to be ashamed of themselves, as I consider it a duty. I consider it a duty to be INFORMED on the issues. If I’ve already failed at that, do you still want me voting? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/218 "2016-11-09T06:51:06Z")
So… Who wants to _JOIN_ me in not caring about politics for the next four years? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/219 "2016-11-09T06:51:21Z")
> [@Debillw3](#): > > Why? > > 1. the poster in question quite literally asked for this > and > 2. being depressed doesn’t excuse one from being an asshole–it’s not a free pass > > Whether or not this behavior qualifies as “being an asshole” is debatable, but some posters obviously feel it does. > > Given the OP’s responses throughout the thread, I’m not inclined to disagree with those posters. Did he? _REALLY?_ Can you do me a favor and read post #1? If you already read it, then please _ **re** _-read it. Start with the thread title. After that, please come back here, and I invite a continued discussion. Thanks in advance for doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059/220 "2016-11-09T06:54:47Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > And we are now reaping what you helped sow, you vapid stupid piece of shit. But heh, you don’t follow politics. And this is partly why. Is this not a good reason against it? I mean, I’m not too thrilled with what I’m seeing here and it’s hard to imagine that if I had voted one extra vote, that it would have stopped or changed it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-live-in-the-us-but-i-dont-vote-never-have-never-will-ask-me-anything-if-you-want/771059.md?page=12)