Theory - The non-voters are happier than the voters

(this content is from a 2007 toledotalk.com post )

• "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

• "What you don't know can't hurt you."

• "Not knowing something is more comfortable than knowing it."

I think the predicted voter turnout locally on Nov 6 is around 35%. That sounds about right. I'd be surprised if it topped 40%. No majority will decide anything at the polls on Tuesday because the majority of the eligible voting public won't even go to the polls. Technically, a winning candidate or levy will win with only 15 to 30 percent of the public's support.

Reposting my Nov 10, 2005 comment from a Toledo Talk thread titled Recall Mayor Finkbeiner :

I know it's fashionable to rip on people who don't vote, but when the majority of people aren't voting, maybe they know something the minority don't. Like in the end, it's a waste of time to pay attention to politics because we'll get screwed over in the long run anyway no matter who wins. A tax cut here, that's nice. Oh look, taxes went up over there. That service is implemented, but another one got cut.

How much time per week would it take for an individual to be so-called "informed" of what's happening in politics at the local, state, and national level? Leave out national politics if you want. How much time per week is required to be "in the know?" Four hours per week? That's a little over 30 minutes per day devoted to consuming info about local and state politics. And maybe national politics too. Is that enough time to formulate an intelligent opinion and come up with a choice by election day? 35 minutes of study per day. Doesn't sound like much time. And that's everything, reading the paper, reading websites, listening to the radio, and watching TV.

Four hours per week for politics. But in the end, what's the benefit? Maybe the majority who don't vote and don't pay attention to politics have it all figured out. Maybe the majority of the population are laughing at the people who are making a big deal about politics.

Instead of wasting four hours per week following politics, the majority use those four hours as extra family time or personal time. Maybe it's time used to take a class in the evening at the local college in order to become more marketable in the workplace. Instead of four hours per week following politics, maybe that time would be better used if it went toward community service.

You know that a certain percentage of voters have no clue what's going on in politics. So why should a voter like that be praised just because he or she went to the polls, but someone who chooses to ignore politics is criticized for not voting? Most of the non-voters won't gripe because they don't care. And I don't have a problem with their non-caring. Maybe they're too busy simply living to care about politics. They're focused on doing the best they can to provide for themselves, their family, and their community. And they don't need politics for that.

Maybe the non-voters have decided that the best way to combat the idiots in politics is to better his or herself personally in order to get a better job that either makes the person happy or brings in more money. Or even both. How's that saying go? "The best revenge is living well." Waiting for an elected official to make you live well is a losing proposition.

Some doctor should do a study. Are the people who pay zero attention to politics healthier and happier than the hardcore political junkies? I'll guess yes.

Vote.
Don't vote.
Makes no difference.
Happy people versus unhappy people.
Non-voters are more enlightened and cheerful than voters.
What you don't know can't hurt you, which leads to ignorance is bliss.
Too much time required to know the issues.
Take a class or volunteer.
Visit family, friends.
Diet, exercise.
Live.

#politics - #entertainment - #moronism - #blog_jr