belezabaub

I'm quite interested by some of the replys to this question, particularly jewels443 reply. From an outsider looking in to American politics (Northern Ireland), I would have assumed that there is much more debate than there has been, to whether voting is relevant. To me it seems the general consensus, bar a few, that voting is highly relevant.
I want to pick up on the word duty that jewels has put in bold, surely in a 'liberal democracy' your are free to either vote or not to vote. I'm not entirely sure of the make-up of the US political system but from what I've gathered from my rudimentary introduction through the media from home is that to use the term 'representive' to describe the US system would be quite false. How can 2 parties represent the needs of millions and millions of people?
I appreciate your position and think it is very worthy, but in truth, democracy in this day and age is a complete fallacy. I can't speak with with complete accuracy in terms of the American political system but I can illustrate it through the British model.
The British model exists on the principle of first past the post, in that party that wins the most seats leader, is asked to form a cabinet, the executive. He will normally, but not neccessarily, pick members of his own party to form cabinet. The role of the rest of the MPs (legislative) is to scrutinize the executive's policys and decisions and to vote on whether they are passed. The seats are won on the basis that in an constituency the person with the most votes wins a seat. Correct me if I'm wrong but is that not similar to the US system?
Anyhow, the way I see it, 10% in the country could have voted for the 'Have a bath on Tuesday party', however the party may not have a single seat in either the executive or even the the legislative because it didn't have a overall majority in a single constituency. How are the 10%, who have voted for the 'Have a Bath on Tuesday party' represented?
Quite simply they are not. From an outsider looking into American politics (its getting very similar in the UK too), it seems you have a choice between eggs and bacon or eggs and saugage and you are fucked if you don't want eggs at all. I think if people should really think before they vote. I think it was said before in this thread the executive draws its power from its mandate. Low turnout would significantly call into question the legitamacy of thier power. What's that famous JFK saying 'ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country' should be greeted with a response of 'what the fuck has my country done for me lately'.

Apologies I don't know how to quote other people's threads. I also apologize if my knowledge of the American political system isn't what it should be but I'd like to think my response makes sense as I have described it in terms of the British model.