Stop Vote Shaming Your Friends and Family

Jason, it's funny, but so many of my favorite people on ActiveRain are probably my polar opposites when it comes to the choices they will make in the voting booth, and I really don't care.  And I think this election cycle we've all been pretty well-behaved on ActiveRain when it comes to avoiding political rants.  But then I'll see something shockingly nasty on Facebook and think, hmmm.  Do I want to ever send her a referral?  And it's because of the tone, not the choice of candidate.

The important thing is to vote.  And luckily we live in a country where, even if the choices are not ideal for all of us, at least there are choices.  There are no guarantees that in a democracy the vote will always go the way you'd like!  And you vote anyway!

I love this, and your attitude on the whole subject, so much that I'm reblogging and then I will also link to it when I share my own post next week.

Well said Jason!

Jason- I came over from Sharon Tara reblog of your post.  Every 4 years I get a knot in my stomach from all of the turmoil.  No matter our choices, it is important to get out and vote.  And realize that this country, amazingly, continues despite or because of some of the people who have been in office. 

We are so lucky to have a choice and we have to respect the other person's right to their choice.  

At this point in the campaign process, I'm so exhausted from the vitriol. I just want it to be over.  I'm one of those who really struggled this election.  I really wanted to vote for an outsider.  I voted for Bernie in the primary, and considered Trump when Bernie didn't make it.  But, like you, I see far too many flaws to trust him with the presidency.  I think our whole election process needs a makeover.  I think the best place to start is by overturning "Citizens United," which states corporations are people too, and can put unlimited amounts of money into campaigns - some of it dark.  Since it's inception in 2010, this country has been in constant campaign mode, 365 days a year - 24/7.  It is tearing this country apart, and putting us at odds with one another.

I applaud your convictions and believe that voting is a privilege. I tried to make a decision based on the vice presidential candidates but I found one was a bully and the other would be overwhelmed by his running mate. I am more

concearned by the Supreme Court nominees that become life time appointments and the constitution than the candidates.

 Thank you for this timely post

Hi Jason - Thanks for a timely and sane post. This has been the strangest election in my memory, and it has put a lot of pressure on us all, but respecting everyone's right to vote as they choose is kinda basic to what our country stands for.

                               Thank you Jason Crouch 

WE need to vote but we need to be well informed voters on ALL aspects of each cnadidate and seldom is that the case for the average voter.

I am right there with you already thinking the same.  This reminds me of the movie Brewster's Millions when Richard Pryor thought this way and ran on the platform of NONE OF THE ABOVE and it won once everyone had a third choice.  

I just try to ignore it all - the conversations, the posts, the FB updates.  It's the only way I can remain sane.

I enjoy the political process. Could be my public administration and politics graduate degree.  Voting is an individual choice. Fortunately it is possible to pull a lever with one hand while holding your nose with the other!

I had to hide Facebook posts from a good friend until after the election.  They just kept getting angrier and angrier.  Folks have really shown their uglier side this year.  But I'm going to take my one little vote to the polls and like Gary said, hold my nose and vote.  Maybe we will pay better attention to the primary elections next time!

Hi Jason -- well said.  Thanks to Sharon Tara for the reblog and to Kathy Streib to highlighting your post in her weekly post.  

Jason, how very honest, I happened to have loved this "politically minded" post, because it spoke from the heart. I can't say that about much of the goings on regarding this political season, but it is a fascinating study in character. Or lack thereof. 

I do not care who you or anyone else votes for. I simply lined up what the policy of each candidate is. Gary Johnson just did not line up for me because of his policy to withdraw from the world. Hillary was really far from me. So I will be voting for Trump because he most closely aligns with my thinking. I honestly cannot say I respect any of them for various reasons (including Gary Johnson not knowing anything about foreign policy and not taking the time to learn). It is a crazy year.

Jason every time I see somebody shaming somebody else on FB I just move on -  it's just so not necessary.  Everyone is entitled to believe and vote for is right in their minds to lead our country.  It will all be over soon and we'll all go on just fine. 

Jason Crouch - very authentic post.

And yes, I believe in this, too --

"On January 20, 2017, no matter who is sworn in as President, life will go on. "

Yes, I agree with everything you have said here. Belittling people because they have different beliefs is simply not effective. That behavior won't make anyone change their mind about the candidate they will vote for. Vote shaming should definitely go away.

Just 21 more days and I am looking forward for the privilege to vote.  Have a great week, Jason Crouch. 

Well, the election is over and Trump won, for good or ill.  Like you, I voted Liberatarian except in specific races where I had a strong sense of a candidate.

Sadly, the vote shaming is still going on well after the fact.  I cannot abide the hypocracy of the left.  They bash Trump for the very types of things Obama did using the same methods he used. 

I didn't vote for Trump, just like I didn't vote for O in the past two.  However, I pray that he makes a good president, just like I prayed O would.