#vote

When considering a candidate for office, almost right up until they enter the polling booth and sometimes even in the booth itself, most voters rely more on what they see and hear themselves in real time than on facts, history, logic, or learned experience. ↗

— Quin Hillyer

#experience #facts #history #logic #political-candidates

But there is a higher law than the Constitution, which regulates our authority over the domain, and devotes it to the same noble purposes. ↗

— William H. Seward

#constitution #devotes #domain #higher #law

Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.' ↗

— Isaac Asimov

#elite #elitism #elitist #voter #voting

I hear of a convention to be held at Baltimore, or elsewhere, for the selection of a candidate for the Presidency, made up chiefly of editors, and men who are politicians by profession; but I think, what is it to any independent, intellegent, and respectable man what decision they may come to? Shall we not have the advantage of his wisdom and honesty, nevertheless? Can we not count upon some independent votes? Are there not many individuals in the country who do not attend conventions? But no: I find that the respectable man, so called, has immediately drifted from his position, and despairs of his country, when his country has more reason to despair of him. He forthwith adopts one of the candidates thus selected as his only AVAILABLE one, thus proving that he is himself AVAILABLE for any purposes of the demagogue. His vote is of no more worth than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may have been bought. ↗

— Henry David Thoreau

#independence #independent-vote #politicians #politics #presidency

Dex,” she said. “Are you all right?” “I’ll be fine, Sis,” I said, feeling somewhat light-headed, “if you’ll just turn off that horrible music. ↗

— Jeff Lindsay

#music

Because we’ve been lied to and lied to, and it hurts to be lied to. It’s ultimately just about that complicated: it hurts. It denies you respect for yourself, for the liar, for the world. Especially if the lies are chronic, systemic, if hard experience seems to teach that everything you’re supposed to believe in’s really a game based on lies. Young Voters have been taught well and thoroughly. You may not personally remember Vietnam or Watergate, but it’s a good bet you remember ‘No new taxes’ and ‘Out of the loop’ and ‘No direct knowledge of any impropriety at this time’ and Did not inhale’ and ‘Did not have sex with that woman’ and etc. etc. It’s depressing and painful to believe that the would-be ‘public servants’ you’re forced to choose between are all phonies whose only real concern is their own care and feeding and who will lie so outrageously with such a straight face that you just know they have to believe you’re an idiot. So who wouldn’t fall all over themselves for a top politician who actually seemed to talk to you like you were a person, an intelligent adult worthy of respect? ↗

— David Foster Wallace

#politics #vote #experience

I had no idea I could make it this far. And the fact that they told me I made it this far and that America is going to vote for me, I freaked out. ↗

— Casey Abrams

#could #fact #far #freaked #going

No, you can't call your vote in. You have to be there on the floor to vote. ↗

— Gary Ackerman

#floor #vote #you #your

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. ↗

— John Quincy Adams

#alone #always #cherish #lost #may

In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house. ↗

— Aeschylus

#cast #great #harm #house #judgment