How To Vote

dragonflySite AdminJoined: 01 Nov 2006Posts: 32
Posted: 26 Nov 2006 02:43 am Post subject: How we Vote?

Do we need to examine our conscience on how we vote? Do we vote for self interest reasons, or because we vote upon moral convictions and personal integrity?


MichaelJoined: 30 Nov 2006Posts: 14Location: Grafton
Posted: 21 Dec 2006 10:55 am Post subject:

I am going to throw a hand grenade into this discussion topic. Should everyone above the legal age be allowed/entitled to vote? In ancient Athens, the home of Democracy as we presently understand it, the citizens of that city state were entitled to vote. A citizen had a defined meaning and did not just mean someone who was born in Athens.

At the height of the Athenian Empire (otherwise known as the Delian League) one of the islands belonging to the League decided to renounce its membership of the League (Athenian Empire). Some of the speakers in the Agora in Athens, where this matter was being debated whipped the crowd (rabble) up to the extent that they voted to have all of the inhabitants of this recalcitrant island put to death. A ship was immediately dispatched to carry out these orders. The crew did not like the orders they had been given and dallied getting there. The next day the mob (voters) had cooled down and began to repent of the rash decision they had made. Another ship was sent to try to stop the first order being carried out. Luckily they arrived just in time to prevent the massacre. This true tale gives a warning about the potential dangers of ignorant, intolerant, corrupt, or easily led (weak willed) people having a vote.

Many entitled voters make no effort to educate themselves regarding the issues involved, and will vote for anyone who will offer them a bribe, or appeal to their fears, prejudices and intolerances.

Remember John Howard got elected/re-elected by appealing to the zenophobia, fears and intolerance of the Australian voters ("Children overboard", invasion of boat people - the "Tampa" affair, terrorists etc). Should there be some other basis for determining who should have a right to vote than just being a "citizen", and what might this be? This question revolves around the pros and cons of "Democracy" as opposed to other forms of government. Some countries have theocracies - rule by religious authorities, eg Iran and some other Islamic countries, I personally don't think much of that one at all, and would consider a Western style democracy with all its faults a better option. What do you think? Michael[/u]

coradcorJoined: 29 Oct 2006Posts: 36
Posted: 21 Dec 2006 10:06 pm Post subject: reply

GREAT POSTING! Ah yes... you speak of the merciless Cleon who i am sure reincarnated as Howard today.... Cleon would go around emphatically slapping his thigh when he spoke: i used to think he was hilarious! But, just like Howard, (who we also generally make fun of ....) even the most silly politicians can have a huge and devastating impact on the course of events .... why are we so easily lead (misled) by the Cleons and Howards of this world...who work with our fears for their own ends? In the absence of true leadership we are like sheep and our voting is manipulated by unscrupulous power hungry politicians, at the expense of humanity. But the answer will surely never be to have less rights (as in other forms of government...theocracies, oligarchies etc..) democracy with all of its flaws has still produced (at least for the time being) the best way of living together as a society.

I would still rather be living in Australia than in Iran! Surely this has something to do with the politicians, past and present! And the universal right to vote? It would be great though if we could find true leadership in our current batch of leaders: someone who has a sense that all human beings were created equal and were willing to put their money where their mouth is! Where is our Pericles when we need him? Or, do we need to find the Pericles (the voice of measured honour) that is within us all? Maybe a bit of both...

wingsforumadminJoined: 18 Oct 2006Posts: 13
Posted: 09 Feb 2007 08:23 am Post subject: voting

The Vote. We live in a world at risk of being destroyed by humanities actions, and never before has it been so important to use our right to vote. I believe Greenpeace has a saying that goes something like this? Those who are complacent and do nothing, are as guilty as the perpetrators of wrongs. Complacency is a terrible thing, a waste of human potential, because it lulls people into the belief they can't make a difference. At the present time, the responsibility for this planet and its rapid decline environmentally rests with us. We can sit back and let wrongs be committed, decisions made politically which are backward and do not serve the greater good, or the welfare of future generations. But equally we can use our right to vote to make a powerful statement about how strongly we value truth, ethics, and making a courageous stand for positive change.

Elections are being held this year in Australia and America, and it just happens to be both countries are withholding support for environmental protection strategies. Both countries contribute heavily to Global warming, and also hold on blindly to old outmoded technologies in support of fossil fuels and petroleum based products, and maintaining the status quo. It is time now to act to save the environment.

NOW, and we must take our right to vote very seriously. The right to freedom of speech came at great cost. Remember, the politician who holds onto the old and refuses to move forward to grow and take brave protective measures to save the environment NOW is killing this planet. We need noble strong politicians who function upon ethical beliefs in all things and represent the population from a clear space, not acting out of ego or vested interests. We need to not look at elections and see only our own comfort levels as all important, but the welfare of this ailing planet as No 1 priority. Otherwise we are bequeathing our children and grandchildren a bleak future. I looked at the American elections some years ago and wept, and although it is only my personal opinion, and not representative of this forum administration, I saw what complacency did, with people not valuing the right to vote. I like many millions of people saw the voting procedure called into question. The world lost the opportunity to have a brilliant world leader in Al Gore, an intelligent, ethical man, compassionate about the human plight, and that of this planet. A planet he has been working to enlighten the population about and to its plight with his noble "An Inconvenient Truth". The right to vote needs to be treasured, free speech is now repressed at times if criticism is issued about a politician or their decisions, and some politicians bend truth for their own interests.

The future times we are entering needs positive individuals with the courage to see further than party lines, or political career moves as the motivator of decisions. We all make mistakes at times, but putting the wrong person into power at this time in human history could be catastrophic for the world population, and for every species upon this planet. There is no time to waste. Use your vote wisely and support only those who live truth, and promote noble values, and they are out there, they just need to be recognized.


dragonflySite AdminJoined: 01 Nov 2006Posts: 32
Posted: 20 Feb 2007 01:46 am Post subject:

Michael, Thank you for your words they convey the importance of voting. Ethics is very much in my mind now when contemplating the coming elections. I eagerly seek out any sign of a politician of merit, one who comes from integrity and truth. The responsibility we have for the world we live in never escapes my attention. Equally I feel we need to remind politicians that they are PUBLIC SERVANTS for it seems power often corrupts and when coupled with ego make for damaging leaders. When the environment is so under threat and time is of the essence, we need to make every vote count._________________Bright Blessings