Why Vote? Here’s What 12 Famous People Have To Say
Many Americans are discouraged from voting. Some feel it’s hopeless, and others simply are disengaged from politics. In 2014, America experienced the lowest voter turnout since WWII, according to the United States Elections Project.
So why vote? Here’s what 12 famous people had to say.
By not voting, you’re taking away your rights
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, said only the American people could deprive themselves from voting.
“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting,” Roosevelt said.
If you don’t vote, be prepared for the consequences
Former president Abraham Lincoln said that, if people turn away from elections, they shouldn’t be surprised if they get burned.
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters,” Lincoln said.
Voting is more effective than violence
Another quote from Lincoln argues that voting is more powerful than resorting to violence.
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet,” Lincoln said.
Those who vote decide the election
Political analyst Larry J. Sabato put this bluntly in his book Pendulum Swing.
“Every election is determined by the people who show up,” Sabato said.
In a capitalist society, organized democracy is all the people have
Author and journalist Matt Taibbi said that a lack of voter participation is dangerous in a free-market society.
“In a society governed passively by free markets and free elections, organized greed always defeats disorganized democracy,” Taibbi said.
Voting is our most precious right
At least, that’s what Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton said.
“Voting is the most precious right of every citizen,” Clinton said. “And we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.”
Voting isn’t thinking
Famous American poet Robert Frost said voting was separated from thinking.
“Thinking isn’t agreeing or disagreeing. That’s voting,” Frost said.
If voting really mattered, it’d be illegal
Famed anarchist, feminist and labor activist Emma Goldman thought voting wasn’t enough to bring about change.
“If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal,” Goldman said.
Voting shows our commitment to one another
New York Times bestselling author Sharon Salzberg thinks the act of voting demonstrates unity as a society.
“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world,” Salzberg said.
Voting doesn’t bring about change
Rapper and record producer Lupe Fiasco said he thinks technology brings about change, not voting.
“All the big revolutions, whether it’s the Industrial Revolution, the Arab Spring, those changes happened by economic and social shifts brought about by the people’s voices, and those things weren’t voted for,” Fiasco said. “Most of our changes today are brought about through technology, not by voting.”
Ex-felons can actually vote
Rapper Two Chainz realized in 2008 that some ex-felons can vote, contrary to the popular myth.
“I had incorrectly, for all of my adult life until 2008, believed the biggest voting myth that exists – that ex-felons cannot vote,” Two Chainz said.
Voting creates the public opinion, which influences decisions
At least, that’s what the former Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg thinks.
“By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions,” Stoltenberg said.
The voting booth is where all kinds of people gather
Former Talking Heads lead singer David Bryne points out that on election day all sorts of people gather as equals.
“The voting booth joint is a great leveler; the whole neighborhood – rich, poor, old, young, decrepit and spunky – they all turn out in one day,” Bryne said.
[Header Image via Joshua Lott/Getty Images]
