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Informed Voters vs Lots of Voters - What's more important?

What's more important?

  • Total voters
    45
X Factor

X Factor

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I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
 
X Factor said:
I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
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Informed voters. As a general rule, the more voters there are, the less informed the average voter will be.
 
X Factor said:
I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
Click to expand...

How do you distinguish between an informed voter and an uniformed voter?
 
X Factor said:
I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
Click to expand...

Fox News is not informed and shouldn't vote ever.

HAHAHAHA

But if I have to pick between the two, I would say that Informed Voter is the obvious choice. To properly control and restrict the government requires that the voters be aware of what the government is doing and the plans of the candidates.
 
More important to who? The ones running for office or to the people being governed? I think it's pretty clear that one side would prefer a big pile of doorknobs at the polling places, and they will likely get them.
 
X Factor said:
I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have to agree that it's hard to conceive that someone would be considered an informed voter if he's one who says that the overwhelming majority of the scientists on the planet are wrong about global warming.
 
The informed voter is always ideal since he or she would be aware of the type of government he or she desires be it at the local, state or federal levels. Unfortunately, not everyone takes the time to get all the facts and/or background information on any given situation/issue/candidate before casting their vote for or against a specific policy issue or candidate.

Voting is personal. And as each vote tends to represent what's in the voter's best interest, politicians (supported by the media in most cases) know how to fan those emotional flames and stir people's angst.


I think the more you know about the issues and/or the candidate, the better voting decision you'll make.
 
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X Factor said:
I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
Click to expand...

I want a higher proportion voting and everyone to know their job and understand their communities. If they thing about how the wealth of nations occurs? Well? Vote!
 
We have a situation in America where one political party realized many years ago that they could not win based on their platform or their ideas so they turned to importing untold millions of non-English speaking, non-American foreign voters, whose votes could be purchased with giveaway programs and who would remain, and spawn, lifetime dependents of the government.

Given this sort of immorality and lack of ethics, what difference does it make if the voters are informed or not? All they care about is how much they get from Santa.
 
Redress said:
How do you distinguish between an informed voter and an uniformed voter?
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An informed voter would be someone whose taken the time educate themselves on the issues/candidates. Uniformed voters are, well, Democrats. :mrgreen:

Joking about that last part. Probably most would say those uninformed would be those voting for the opposition. I don't mean it like that at all. When I first started voting, I admit I'd vote for people on the ballot whose names I'd never even heard of. That was uninformed. I don't do that any more.
 
Ray410 said:
We have a situation in America where one political party realized many years ago that they could not win based on their platform or ideas so they turned to importing non-English speaking, non-American foreign voters, whose votes could be purchased with giveaway programs and who would remain, and spawn, lifetime dependents of the government.

Given this sort of immorality and lack of ethics, what difference does it make if the voters are informed or not? All they care about is how much they get from Santa.
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The best thing about the US is that arrogant voters cannot dictate the fact that other folks they do not like cannot be restrained from voting.....and there is no current event test required to participate.

It really sucks that everybody has a voice, regardless of their beliefs or social status, doesn't it?
 
X Factor said:
An informed voter would be someone whose taken the time educate themselves on the issues/candidates. Uniformed voters are, well, Democrats. :mrgreen:

Joking about that last part. Probably most would say those uninformed would be those voting for the opposition. I don't mean it like that at all. When I first started voting, I admit I'd vote for people on the ballot whose names I'd never even heard of. That was uninformed. I don't do that any more.
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There are morons in every walk of life, no matter their politics or personal beliefs - and there is nothing that you can do about it.
 
SMTA said:
The best thing about the US is that arrogant voters cannot dictate the fact that other folks they do not like cannot be restrained from voting.....and there is no current event test required to participate.

It really sucks that everybody has a voice, regardless of their beliefs or social status, doesn't it?
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Your post is an excellent example of missing the point completely.
 
The definition of the "informed voter" is so malleable as to be non-existent. And since we hold ourselves to be a democracy where the rule is decided, at least in part, by the opinion of the public and we strive for an ideal where everyone has an equal say in the outcome of the elections, I would thus support the option that we want as many voters as possible.

And, to the extent that we would have a significant portion of the population that is truly "uninformed," then they, based on some basic statistics would effectively cancel each other out because roughly half would choose one candidate, about whom they know nothing, and one half would choose the other candidate, about whom they know nothing.
 
Ray410 said:
Your post is an excellent example of missing the point completely.
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Your post in #13 is a perfect example of why SMTA's post hits on the point, exactly.
 
X Factor said:
Joking about that last part. Probably most would say those uninformed would be those voting for the opposition. I don't mean it like that at all. When I first started voting, I admit I'd vote for people on the ballot whose names I'd never even heard of. That was uninformed. I don't do that any more.
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Wouldn't it make sense that a significant population of uninformed voters, defined as someone who purely picks unknown names, would effectively cancel each other out?
 
X Factor said:
I realize the two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive and I think we can agree that the ideal thing would be lots of informed voters. Generally speaking, though, I see advertisements to just get out and vote, no matter what, with not even a mention of becoming educated regarding those running. So, for purposes of this poll, the two things are mutually exclusive and you can only pick one. Which one and why?

Oh, before the first comment is even posted in this thread, I predict some mention of Fox News and how those people are not informed and shouldn't vote ever. :lol: Seriously, let's try to no make this about what it means to be informed. I'm talking about having some understanding of who the candidates are and what ideas they're running on.
Click to expand...

I voted, informed voter. Voting is the most important, potentially positive and potentially harmful action that the greatest majority of citizens will ever perform. To do so without having at least a basic understanding of the potential repercussions of their vote, both positive and negative, is irresponsible. For instance, I haven't ever been able to justify any possible reason why the ability to only check one box to vote straight party ticket should even be a choice - except for the most uninformed voter. I've never voted straight ticket, even if by checking every single box for each person in a single party.

As we see every day on this forum, being an informed voter, in no way determines a benefit or detriment to one party or the other. There are examples here of very informed people on both sides of every issue that could possibly exist but will never agree.

Being informed is critical, to ensure that you are getting what you vote for. Doesn't mean that you are correct in your beliefs, it just means that if you understand the facts and the truth, you get exactly what you vote for, good or bad, because good to one person can be bad for another.
 
And as usual nobody's looked at my short video.
 
It's kind of a moot question. The ones that tend to want to restrict general election voting to the informed voters tend to be the biggest dumbasses I have ever come across.
 
X Factor said:
An informed voter would be someone whose taken the time educate themselves on the issues/candidates. Uniformed voters are, well, Democrats. :mrgreen:

Joking about that last part. Probably most would say those uninformed would be those voting for the opposition. I don't mean it like that at all. When I first started voting, I admit I'd vote for people on the ballot whose names I'd never even heard of. That was uninformed. I don't do that any more.
Click to expand...

Sorry for delay getting back to you, I am busy during the day these days.

Here is the thing: imagine I am a gun nut. It is my issue. I know everything you want to know about gun issues, and know exactly where the candidates stand on those gun issues. I am basing my vote on those gun issues. I know nothing about other issues, nor do I care about those other issues, they are not how I am going to decide on who to vote for. Now, am I an informed voter?
 
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