>_< ROCK THE VOTE (Don't tip the vote over?)

Lay it out on the table first. I don't really have a lot of knowledge on how America works when it comes to politics and elections. I did take a high school history class, and they did teach me... but if I actually cared I would remember. So know that from here on out, I'm just kind of talking out of what I know. Please feel free to educate me, but in a educating manner. Don't get on your soap box and start preaching what I should and should not do. Thanks much! Now without further ado...

I don't vote. I don't know if I ever will vote. I understand that voting is one of the rights we have as free Americans and we should practice that right for "the good of our nation" and all that patriotic bull crap, but when it really comes down to it... does it really matter? Does my vote, the one with my name on it... does it really matter if I put it into the slot or not? Does it matter if I send it in? Here's a quick understanding of how I think this whole electing our president goes. I remember it being clearer when Obama got his first term but now I guess it's a little more fuzzy.

So each state has some kind of representative that indicates whether or not it's going to be Republican or Democrat. From these reps, the bigger guys see where the country is leaning toward and make a decision based on there own decision. And the majority wins. Bigger states have more votes in the Electoral College. I believe NJ has 14 this year (after looking it up). Anywho, if it's tied, then it goes to the house and then my voice is heard even less. My question is, where does my vote matter? I'm aware that people in the electoral college pledge to vote based on popularity, but it seems (at least in NJ) that we're going to go Democrat, whether I vote or not. So again I ask, what does it matter?

Maybe I'm too young to see the impact of a new/returning president. I think someone needs to physically show me that my vote matters in order for me to get up and actually do it. I've had a huge problem with the "voice of the people" ever since the occupy movements. Mainly - we ultimately don't have one. Countrywide, people were protesting and bitching about the 1% instead of actually going to work and doing something and, yes, it DID get media attention and it did inspire some people. However, what was the outcome? People were pepper sprayed and sent to jail thinking they were standing up for a good cause, and yet there isn't anything to show for it. Seeing all of this unfold it's not that hard to see that even if a mass group of people come together for one cause... if any one of the "big guys" doesn't want change to happen, it won't happen.

For me that goes with this whole election scheme. People are given the illusion of power, when the ballots are probably connected directly into a paper shredder. This country has already elected it's president, MONTHS maybe YEARS ago. I firmly believe we have no say in who gets to be put in a future Social Studies textbook. If I'm wrong, then I'll be happy to listen as to why.

On another note, I just visited doesmyvotematter.org. When I selected my state, "Assuming 3,868,237 people vote in New Jersey, the chance of your vote mattering is 1 in 17 Billion." 17 Billion. That's not enough of an argument to even consider voting. It goes on to explain why, and it's exactly as I put. Unless we're a hugely contested "swing state" then most likely the state is going to vote the way it's always voted. NJ has voted Democrat in the last 5 elections. So there.

Some people are happy to vote, and I'm not going to convince you not to. Just know where I stand. It really doesn't matter.

ta ta kids.