I’ll probably get even more flak for writing this but I have to get this off my chest.
This month is really a bad time for people who are not voting. Day in, day out, they’re being bombarded with questions from friends, family and acquaintances on whether they’re voting or not, whether they have registered to vote, which party they’re crossing for and many other politically related questions.
Being a person who has not registered or intend to vote this year, I feel that these questions are starting to become a little offensive. Just because you have filled out some forms at the post office and “exercised your democratic right”, doesn’t make you fit enough to chastise and insult those who have chosen not to do so. Do you even know these people? Do you even understand what goes through the minds of these people who have chosen not to vote? So stop making assumptions and leave them in peace. Leave me in peace for goodness sake.
I can’t help but feel that lately, the left wing has sort of become the trendiest club in town. Everyone wants to be a left winger. People who can’t even tell who is the current Prime Minister is a friggin left winger. Left wingers will keep the government in check…yay, we’re better than everyone else. Well, piss off.
Someone told me that I shouldn’t complain about the government if I don’t intend to vote. Hey, I absolutely agree with that but you know where does that put me at? It seems that I can’t complain about anything at all, because EVERYTHING bad is caused by the government. Wah roti canai so expensive…..it’s the government! Tiu my client pay so late….it’s the government! Urgh, my period so pain this month….it’s the government! So first they insist that I have to exercise my democratic right, then they take away my right to complain whatever the hell I want? That’s armchair left wingers for you.
I understand that some of you may be very passionate about the political situation in this country and would like nothing better than to convince someone to vote and make a change bla bla bla. I understand that because I also understand that politics determine almost every aspect of our social and economic growth. But I also understand that there are some of us, the cynics, the paranoids, the self-preservationists, the ignorant, the fence-sitters, the i-dont-give-a-flying-f*-am-leaving-this-gawdamn-countrys, heck even the lazyasses don’t sit very well with the idea of voting.
Seriously, stop it already. Enough of the “one vote also makes a difference” story, the check and balance story, the conspiracy theories and all those other yap yappity yap that I’ve heard for the hundredth million times. I’m not stupid and so stop implying I am before you even care to listen to MY story.
The thing is, I don’t even feel like telling you. Why would I jam my opinions and beliefs down your throat when I expect the same from you? So yeah, give me and other like-minded people a break.
In my opinion, it’s already suffice to ask “What do you think of the coming elections?”.
If you’re faced with the “I don’t like to talk about it…lets talk about other stuff”, don’t be a stupid shit and asked why. Just stop the nonsense, give someone his or her privacy and talk about something else.
On the other hand, if that someone responded with an enthusiastic analysis of the voting system, well good on you!
Yah lor… Democracy means freedom of choice and that include not voting la for whatever reason…… Sigh… some people just dont get it lor.
You’re just mad cos you’re guilty as hell that you’re not voting but you have always bitch hell of alot about the situation of the country. Stop trying to justify your apathy and ignorance by saying you’re also “exercising your rights’ by not caring and then turning hostile towards those who do AND wish to talk about. The thing is, you have NO IDEA or any valid philosopy behind the idea of refusing to vote.
A lot of people are missing the (slightly) bigger picture. And that’s all I’m going to say.
notty gurl: i think ultimately, respect is the most important thing one needs.
flamer: im mad because one should never patronise people they know. especially not when it comes to politics.
eyeris: unfortunately, everyone thinks he or she has the (slightly) bigger picture.
I have a SLIGHTLY bigger picture than you do! Printed on A3 size paper! :D
my picture is biggest. it’s all over my face
eyeris: i can’t disagree!
suanie: lol still semi-determination?
finally! someone who voices out my thoughts!
i seriously got sick of the series of questions bombarded towards me and ppl start saying how irresponsible i am being a citizen!
for me, i’d rather not vote rather than simply picking a side; or follow the majority without understanding and knowing well about politics and history.
jessica: it’s unfair to blatantly label one as an irresponsible citizen by the basis of not voting. people who don’t vote are caring and law abiding citizens too, not voting does not take away all those positive traits.
my post is not about encouraging people “not to vote” but to emphasise on the importance of respecting each other’s decision. you don’t sever a relationship because one does not vote, do you? but a lot of these people who are passionate about voting do not realise that by patronising their friends and family about politics might do just that – end a relationship.
many of these people refuse to vote not because of sheer laziness/ignorance but due to reasons beyond the comprehension of others (unfortunately they insist they understand so yeah, that creates more conflicts too). i don’t think they should be maligned because giving up voting was already tough to begin with.
Perhaps it might be worth listing the reasons why you’re not voting, or if you have already done so, putting a link to the post.
Yippie I voted. I’ve got pics to prove it even.
Who cares if they know ? I am not scared. Suck on it BN!
yen: it’s ending soon. but this might give u a better idea.
shadowfox: i would’ve been more impressed if you’re not an anonymous blogger.
Even if you don’t know you want to vote for, by not voting you allow possibility of your vote to be forged… hence the intentionally spoilt votes reported..?
joyce: i know whom i would have voted for. i’m just not voting this year for personal reasons. anyway, by voting does not mean your vote would not be intentionally spoiled either.
Granted,you might have personal reasons why you don’t vote, but to feel so self righteous about is appalling. I don’t know if I should applaud your individuality, or feel sad about your ignorance.
If everyone thinks as you do, we’ll be doomed. Glad that you are in the minority…..
eh even your bf said he would have voted if he’s allowed to.
Hmm you like the status quot do you? i guess you are implicitly saying
1. Zakaria Mansion is okay
2. Hishamuddin holding the keris threatening other races is fine by you
3. PKFZ and other wastages is acceptable
4. Marginalisation of other races is okay
After all what does all the above affect you directly right? Future going to the dogs? From the newspapers its all rosy kan.. the blasted left wingers are making things worse that it is huh..
If everbody thought like you then the country really had no hope… By not exercising your right the vote you are sending the wrong signal….
hahaah can’t agree more! i’m not registered, and i’m way older than being eligible, but no one in the right mind, in the right world has the rights to come condemn us!
some are so low, they come scolding and cursing those who don’t vote and make noise about the gomen, but dang! these people just forward political mails and keep quiet when ppl mention about it outside or on blogs, cos they’re scared!
so takut mati then go back n hide in a bloody mouse hole and die there!
looneytune: if i were self righteous i would have voted. if i want to be applauded for individuality i’d get a tattoo. i think change only happens when there’s a revolution but that’s a bit too extreme for many people even myself to stomach. you’re not unlike the people i’m speaking against, all you care about is what i’ve chosen to do and not why. and yes, im sure glad im in the minority too.
ront: where did u hear this from?
eksk: i don’t think they’re good things. but i’m not going to put my personal beliefs to test for the betterment of all. yeah i may be selfish, are you really not?
huei: ah self-righteous dimwits. ever the entertaining bunch, arent they? if you’re voting but for the government they’re gonna call you a crony. partisan politics…same old shit different smell.
Indeed, we are fortunate that in Malaysia we don’t have to go through revolution and bloodshed to make a change. Our electoral system seems to be working fine. Don’t get me wrong,I don’t care about you choosing not to vote,it is you dismissing it so lightly that irks me. Every vote does count no matter how cliche it sounds.
looneytune: as i was saying, the issue of lightness is for myself to judge. of course every vote counts, each and every is so crucial and important that i’ve chosen to keep mine for selfish reasons.
good point yes all of us are selfish, but i noticed a lot of my friends who were apolitical got very very vocal about politics once they had kids.. all that “crap” about a better malaysia for all of us..
i guess when a person have the future of their offspring in their mind their thinking changes… just food for thought.
didnt hear abt it… I read abt it…..
quoting the fella ‘So would I vote if I could – of course!’
eksk: so ur saying they get less selfish when they have kids? well it’s only natural, no?
ront: u mean ST? yeah, ppl thinks he’s my bf for some reason, i look like SPG eh. why no one thinks ky is my bf one?
am not implying anything abt being a SPG….hope you dont feel that way.
WTFBBQ
ront: no worries. i dont get offended that easily, hehe
ky: yeah no one thinks you’re my bf wor.