We agree on this point: The government is responsible to all citizens at all times. Everyone has the right to representation, including complaints about not being represented, up to and including litigation.
HOWEVER, it is (or should be) clear to aware citizens that there is a choice (even when it's minuscule) between the candidates available to them on Election Day. And that it is more likely that one or the other (or, if they're lucky -- which luck ought not to be necessary, in that we ought to have more than two choices as a matter of course -- three or more) of the candidates will more likely represent their views and positions more of the time than the other(s).
My specific point is that if the government then takes actions which are in line with the projected positions of one candidate, when the nonvoter would have preferred the positions in line with the stated position of the other candidate, then IMO the nonvoter has a significantly diminished moral/ethical right to complain.
If you can see it coming and do nothing about it, don't complain when it hits you. It's the surprises or refusals of representation that everyone has the right to bitch over.
no subject
We agree on this point: The government is responsible to all citizens at all times. Everyone has the right to representation, including complaints about not being represented, up to and including litigation.
HOWEVER, it is (or should be) clear to aware citizens that there is a choice (even when it's minuscule) between the candidates available to them on Election Day. And that it is more likely that one or the other (or, if they're lucky -- which luck ought not to be necessary, in that we ought to have more than two choices as a matter of course -- three or more) of the candidates will more likely represent their views and positions more of the time than the other(s).
My specific point is that if the government then takes actions which are in line with the projected positions of one candidate, when the nonvoter would have preferred the positions in line with the stated position of the other candidate, then IMO the nonvoter has a significantly diminished moral/ethical right to complain.
If you can see it coming and do nothing about it, don't complain when it hits you. It's the surprises or refusals of representation that everyone has the right to bitch over.