THIS. IS. WHY. VOTING. MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yavin4]

Yesterday and today show clearly, un-mistakenly that there's a huge difference between Republicans and Democrats. We tossed out both Anthony Weiner and Al Franken on lesser offenses. Republicans have no empathy for anyone that's not White, male, rich, and powerful. They don't care about your healthcare, your well-being, and they don't even care if you're a victim of sexual assault by one of their own. They are evil, old men desperately clinging to power in an ever-changing world. So, when your friends say that there's no difference call bullshit on that.

Dr. Ford displayed a level of human courage that few of us will ever know in our lives. The very least that we can do is VOTE.

[eleny]

1. Desperation - Anger - Vote!

[NurseJackie]

2. Hey, Sarandon! Nice "revolution" you've got going there, huh?

[Neema]

5. FUCK HER and every fucking idiot who voted for Jill Stein, or stayed home because Bernie wasn't

the nominee. I said it until my face turned blue before the election: "I don't care what you think about Hillary, this is about the SUPREME COURT." I'm so fucking livid about this I can't see straight.

[radical noodle]

8. I've felt the same since the election

This was always going to happen it was just a matter of time with Trump in office. And yes, I blame those who couldn't lower themselves to vote for a woman who was the most qualified person ever to run for president and I will always despise them.

Now it is what it is. We go on and stop whining. But we will remember. Always.

[muntrv]

3. Still need to be "inspired" to vote?

[NurseJackie]

6. Exactly!

Still need to be "inspired" to vote?

Exactly! And to this very day, I hear people offering-up this same lame-ass justification that a candidate needs to "inspire" them to vote. Or that they wanted to "send a message" to the "establishment" that the "status-quo" wasn't good enough.

All I'm trying to say is that these type of tactics or strategies are based solely on emotions: pride, vanity, irrational anger... and the message that the Stein voters (or non-voters) are sending is "I'm too self-involved to have a realistic understanding of how things work".

Lord save us all from the pride and vanity voters and non-voters.

[Blue_true]

12. Some people have their heads shoved so far up their asses that they are hopeless.

We need to work out asses off to reach the people that can be reached.

[ffr]

4. And a hearty FUCK YOU to every person saying there's no difference between DEMS & REPS

If you are too lazy to vote or poke fun at someone who takes voting seriously, FUCK YOU, you did this!

If you cannot take 30 minutes out of your busy life to study the candidates positions and give ballot propositions a quick lookover, FUCK YOU, you did this!

YOU (not the OP) screwed us all for eternity, you selfish lazy motherf*ckers!

[Humblytenacious]

7. Most in conservative states don't even vote...

We need more people, in the conservative states, willing to help educate those in poverty, the lower class,felons, and the minority. I personally know countless under privileged individuals who vote conservative because that is how they have been told to vote or because that is how their (middle class, baby boomer) parents voted.

Countless felons believe they can no longer vote because,they have a felony on their record. Many simply do not understand the fundamental basics of politics and voting. If they did, democrats could move mountains in conservative states.

However, it starts with us. We must start better educating those that we stand so firm in fighting for.

[The Polack MSgt]

9. Welcome to DU. I agree with my whole being with you

I'm a Democrat in a deep red area, and I also grew up in a deep red area.

I have been on this same soap box for years.

We need to be Democrats out loud and unafraid.

We must point out to our neighbors that what they've been spoon fed and led to believe for the last 40 years is a sack of nonsense, and that this bullshit has harmed them and theirs since day one...

[Humblytenacious]

10. SNAP!

Yep..you are absolutely right! I know countless people whose hearts are democrat but their minds are republican because they don't actually understand what their vote or lack there of is doing to their immediate everyday lives. I have to admit, I am scared to speak my mind in my community mainly because I feel like a loan ranger. However, if I felt like I had a little more support and a better sense of direction from those better seasoned in politics than myself; I would go out among the worst of the worst, knock on doors and preach from the top of my lungs what it means to be a democrat and what it does to our country by voting republican. The poor is ignorant and republicans love it! I hate this state I live in I am ashamed to live in it. If it were not for sharing my children with their father I would not be here. Beings I have to be here, I feel the least I can do is try to educate my equal. They have no idea how much it is in their own best interest and the interest of our childrens future.

[Eliot Rosewater]

13. welcome...shame how some of the most beautiful places in the world, including parts of

your state, are occupied by such UGLY people

meaning the folks you are talking about, not YOU of course

[MontanaMama]

16. I'm right next door

and see the same dynamic here in Montana. High cost of living and low average wages. The low income folks here in Big Sky Country vote over and over and over again against their own best interests. I used to canvas for dem candidates when I was younger but the world has changed and I just don't have it in me. I find other ways to contribute without getting yelled off people's porches. I, like you, am a mom and at this point am just trying to raise an emotionally healthy, empathetic son who is willing to work for good. Keep resisting, keep educating your kids and a warm welcome to DU!

[Initech]

11. We're literally 3 hours away from having a serial rapist judge the highest law in the land.

God damn it. Good bye America, it was nice knowing you.

[keithbvadu2]

14. Not voting? Surrender

Not voting? Surrender

[ffr]

19. Upvoting this!

[Retrograde]

15. In. Every. Election.

Even the small, boring, local ones: pols often get their starts on school boards - and school boards have an impact on what is taught and how. And elections for judges, and sheriffs, and dogcatchers. The GOP knows this, and knows this is how to build up political capital.

[Honeycombe8]

17. I wouldn't compare Weiner w/Franken. No one even got the names of the Franken's accusers.

And the accusations, even if true, didn't rise to the level of assault in any way.

Weiner...wow, now that was severe & bizarre. I will say that it took a LOT for the Dems to kick him out. They did so only after he took a naughty picture IN the Congressional locker room. Up until then, they weren't going to do anything. But invade THEIR privacy, and out he went.

[elocs]

18. Unfortunately, there are too many on the Left who need to be excited and motivated to vote

while Republicans tend to look at voting as their duty.
Oh sure, we're fired up and motivated to vote in this election, but what about the one after that and the one after that? This is not a sprint, it's a marathon, and the side which does not have people who are dedicated to persevere and show up and vote will pay the price.
If a perceived voting choice is between bad and worse and it will with certainty be one or the other,
then the rational person will do what they can to make sure worse does not prevail.
If the Left does not learn this lesson and learn it now then our future is bleak.
So let's make our tent big and welcome those who broadly support Democratic values even if they don't agree with us on every point.
Republicans fear that the Left will become dependable voters because we have the numbers.
That's why they put forth so much effort to suppress the vote.
Voting is our super power, so let's use it.

[ffr]

20. Low turnout midterms mean every vote has the weight of many.

In general elections the turnout is typically higher and your vote only counts for maybe 1.25 votes as a percentage of those who are eligible, but don't vote. In midterms, where turnout can be quite low, your vote could have the power of 7 or more, depending on where you are. That's a lot of influence. To think that there are that many people out there who are willing to trust my voting preferences over theirs is humbling.