Voter Turnout Plunges Throughout the Western World … Largely Due to Political Corruption
WashingtonsBlog
November 8, 2012
Less People Voted than in 2004 or 2008
AP notes:
Preliminary figures suggest fewer people voted this year than four years ago, when voters shattered turnout records as they elected Obama to his first term.
In most states, the numbers were even lower than in 2004, said Curtis Gans, director of American University’s Center for the Study of the American Electorate. Every state but Iowa is showing a smaller turnout than in 2008, Gans said. Still, the full picture may not be known for weeks because much of the counting takes place after Election Day.
“This was a major plunge in turnout nationally,” said Gans, who estimated about 126 million Americans voted, for an overall turnout rate of about 57.5 percent.
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“Beyond the people with passion, we have a disengaged electorate,” Gans said.
USA Today noted in August:
They cite a range of reasons for declaring they won’t vote or saying the odds are no better than 50-50 that they will: They’re too busy. They aren’t excited about either candidate. Their vote doesn’t really matter. And nothing ever gets done, anyway.
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This year, perhaps 90 million Americans who could vote won’t. “The long-term trend tends to be awful,” Gans says. “There’s a lot of lack of trust in our leaders, a lack of positive feelings about political institutions, a lack of quality education for large segments of the public, a lack of civic education, the fragmenting effects of waves of communications technology, the cynicism of the coverage of politics — I could go on with a long litany.”
***
Many of these unlikely voters are suspicious of and disconnected from politics. In the survey, six in 10 say they don’t pay attention to politics because “nothing ever gets done”; 54% call politics “corrupt.”
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David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, which took the survey [said] “You’ve got this overriding sense of bitterness and people who have been beaten down by the economy and the negativity and the lack of trust….
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What could convince them to vote?
About one in 10 say they could be drawn by different candidates, by being convinced someone could fix the nation’s problems, and by feeling better informed.
Given that both the mainstream GOP and Democratic parties ignore the voters’ wishes on the core issues – and even ignore their own “base” – this is not entirely surprising. You don’t need a PhD in political science or economics to know that both parties are ignoring your wishes regarding war, jobs,freedoms and giving the little guy a fair shake.
In fact, voter turnout has plummeted in Western countries over the last 5 decades:
Change in voter turnout over time for five selected countries
Including Canada:
Why? There are many factors. One is lack of trust … caused by institutional corruption.
As Wikipedia notes:
During this same period, other forms of political participation have also declined, such as voluntary participation in political parties and the attendance of observers at town meetings.
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At the same time, some forms of participation have increased. People have become far more likely to participate in boycotts, demonstrations, and to donate to political campaigns.
***
Trust in government and in politicians has decreased in many nations.
In other words, corruption has become epidemic, and so people are tuning out.
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL; POEM FOR THE FALSE ELECTIONS
United We Stand
For those who have eyes let him see,
the elections are but a game to be.
He who has ears, then let him hear,
the time of deception is very near.
So come one, come all,don't fall,
to the greatest folly of them all.
The DC puppets pulling the strings,
behind the scenes, sleeping beings.
Will they then awaken in our time,
can you change a dollar into a dime.
move over and let me try for awhile,
Sleep walkers will go out in style.
United we stand, divided we fall,
All for one and one for all.
The land of the free is for those who wish to be,
To give and receive is one in truth, you see.
Be careful What you put out, jack,
What you give,You eventually get back.
So what goes around comes around,
The wheel of karma is coming down.
Be careful of what you ask for,
or else You just might get it.
yesterdays,Quitters shall never win,
todays Winners have never quit.
All things come to him, who waits in good time,
Tomorrow never comes,just wait in line.
Yesterday is gone forever, so forgive all,
There is only the holy instant now,stand tall.
True heaven is on earth now,
The old becomes young,somehow.
And so the elders shall becomes wise,
If he learns to live a life of no lies.
What goes up must come down,
Be careful, you’ll hit the ground.
Be cautious how high you climb,
Remember,tomorrow is another time.
As you give so you shall receive,
We are all one,so please believe.
Don’t look for what you’re missing,
If you didn’t lose it, stop insisting.
Strife is such a poor waste of time,
Surrender it, then you will be fine.
Move over, plenty of room for those left behind,
It’s no use crying over spilt milk, so take mine.
Comments
Joshua, you are wrong. If you know that you are wrong, and keep attacking Obama, which is a light worker, then you serve the dark cabal, and never ever I will look to your blog.
Your correct VP and if only we could get this mass to see this and what is worse there calling him a light worker!!!!!
Adonai
...and it is only natural to happens... how can politics solve any social problem, when the politicians themselves have not idea how to solve social problems... they know only to talk, to smile, and to raise their hands to wave to the cheering crowds...
...it just means that people start to realize that politics doesnt solve any problems at all... it is just there to keep the status quo... and the business as usual mentality...