Just got a shock from a young (40) intelligent, female friend

[CanonRay]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Lasher (a host of the The DU Lounge forum).

She told me she was leaving for Peru tomorrow so I asked her if she voted yet. "I don't follow politics, so I don't vote" was her response. I was speechless. I said even if you don't follow closely, you can vote. She said she didn't believe in it. This is a very bright, college educated, progressive woman. I was, and am still, stunned. How can someone that age, and a woman, just not give a shit? OK, rant over.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. She doesn't believe in voting pretty must says she loves authoritarianism.

[Attilatheblond]

3. Or she is lazy and self centered

The people I have known who 'don't believe in voting' are both of those things.

[MaryMagdaline]

5. Better that she doesn't vote. She would not vote our way

[TwilightZone]

7. Not really.

I know people who are liberals through and through who think their single votes won't make any difference, so they don't bother. I've been trying to convince them otherwise for years.

They're also in a very red area (80%+) where there's not much hope of Democrats even winning local races, which increases the apathy.

[luvallpeeps]

2. Damn shame! N/T

[TwilightZone]

4. In 2020, about 1/3 of vote-eligible people didn't vote.

There are a lot of people like your friend out there. It's a huge untapped market, but it's difficult to convince someone who firmly believes that there's no point that there really is.

[getagrip_already]

6. Probably wealthy enough not to care....

Just more into her social life than the world little problems. She can buy her way out of problems.

In Peru, that doesnt take that much wealth.

[CanonRay]

9. No, she's a massage therapist

and getting by, but doesn't come from or have money. She's more the new age hippy type.

[elleng]

8. 'Didn't believe in it' is not 'bright, educated or progressive,' sorry to say.

[True Dough]

10. Wonder if she's aware

of the political strife in Peru? It's been affected by a great deal of unrest over the past several years.

[NoRethugFriends]

11. Your friend is dumb, not intelligent

[MLF1981]

12. I disagree with her take, however...

I can understand it. I'm a few years older than her, and all my generation has ever seen are politicians who are mostly corrupt, self-serving, and don't give a fuck about the concerns of common people one whit. Now there are exceptions of course, but for every Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, you've got a Joe Manchin or a Krysten Sinema. And that's to say nothing of Republicans, who obviously don't give a fuck about common people.

That being said, I do believe in voting, I've voted in every election, including midterms and special elections since I was 19. But not everyone is like me, most people look at the corruption and venality in DC and say, "What's the point? These people don't give a fuck about me at all."

[SamKnause]

13. She is not bright. She is not intelligent.

Apparently her education didn't cover civics.

[Skittles]

14. nor is she progressive

nope

[Figarosmom]

15. Not as intellegent

As you're giving her credit for

[Lasher]

16. Locking.

Please, no politics in the Lounge.