November 14, 2007
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Trading Your Vote
Two-thirds of NYU students said they would exchange their right to vote in the next election for president for a year’s tuition.
20 percent said they would exchange their vote for an iPod.
This is the part that got me though. Half of them said they would give up their “right to vote forever for $1 million.” The thing that surprises me is that that means half of them wouldn’t give up their right to vote for $1 million. Here is the link: Link
I would give up my right to vote forever in a second for a $1 million and I am not even materialistic. I am just that convinced that one vote doesn’t make a difference.
What is the least you would give up your right to vote for?
1. $1 million: No ability to vote forever
2. College tuition for a year: 2008 Presidential election
3. iPod: 2008 presidential election
Comments (149)
i don’t even bother to vote. ever.
One vote DOES make a difference, Dan. It does, trust me.
I’d go for #3.
Coz I STILL wanna vote after the 2008 Presidential election (if I were American, that is!
)
The least – college tuition for a year.
I’d give up the 2008 election for college $… I think voting is important – but I dislike all the presidential candidates, so yeah.. a year of tuiton seems nice when the field for presidential candidates seems so bleak.
I need more information… do I give up the right to vote in all elections, or just national elections? Sometimes we vote on which movie or restaurant we’re going to, do I lose that vote too?
I already have a college degree and an iPod.
I suppose I’d take the million if it were just national elections…
I’ve go for the $1mil because then I could put myself through school, buy a house, a new car and put the rest into a savings account for my son.
one vote does not make a difference here in the U.S. as a matter of fact, a whole state worth of votes has not made a difference before. meh, it’s all bullshit anyway.
I am going to write in Micky Mouse for free.
I never missed and election. But for the value of a year tuition I sure would. To permanently stop voting? Sorry I can make a million all on my own thank you. It will take a while to do it, but i don’t need to become less than a full citizen in order to make it
I think it is a foolish question. I also think that it is very sad if the right to vote is considered of so little value by so many people. While I must agree that there are certainly problems with our current system, it still seems better than outright tyranny.
It is said that – historically – democracies always deteriorate to oligarchies which deteriorate to tyrannies. I suppose if people don’t really care enough about voting, then might end up happening faster.
Of course, there are those who say that your vote doesn’t matter at all, and even a million votes won’t matter, because all politician are the same anyway. One example sometimes given is that both George Bush and John Kerry were part of the same secret organization, Skull and Bones, which many believe is tied to the Illuminati. I heard that most presidents and many politicians not only in the US but also around the world are members of secret societies that are all linked together. When two world leader meet that are supposedly potential enemies, watch for the secret hand signals…..at least that is what I have heard.
To porcupinesol: That fact is so sad… Really. Sometimes the government plays cheat, doesn’t it?
And oh… I would rather take the iPod because I’m already done with college (yay!).
If it really could be done, those who choose the million dollars should be required to move to another country, like say North Korea, for a year.
none of them
but im a poli sci major so elections kinda decide my future in a more direct way than most- ie, a democrat winning=more job opportunities for me!
#1 I’m a sellout but I’m not ashamed
college tuition
We run the same thought process. One vote isn’t going to even make a difference, especially since the vote count isn’t important. Electoral College votes are the ones that they care about. I’d give up my right to vote next election if it meant tuition. But then again, how many people are they offering it to? What group of people are they aiming towards? If it were a bunch of conservative republicans trying to sabotage the liberal democrats, I’d actually turn it down.
But it would be a tough, tough choice.
Tuition…I’m gonna need that money! xD
never and shame on anyone-esp a minority or women who would. I’ll bet most don’t even know that the first “organized crime of terroristic threat” identified by scotland yard were suffragettes.
I am stunned the young have forgotten so much so soon. then again, perhaps it’s best they don’t vote-they don’t have enough sense to.
fine, but if you don’t vote, and you don’t like what the government is doing…
well, don’t be surprised.
Nothing. I would not give up my vote, even for one election, for any amount of money or material item. Call me an idealist or call me stupid, but I would not do it. Too many have already paid to high a price (their lives) for me to gain and keep this right and so many others die (some say in vain) trying to get this right in the first place. My voice is not worth any amount of money especially when so many still do not have a voice in their political process. My vote may mean nothing in the election, but it is priceless to me.
definitely college tuition. i have an ipod, and don’t use it. a million dollars really isn’t that much when you figure i’ll be alive for another 60ish years.
1 million over my right to vote. I can def. fund my college tuition. Plus, personally, I don’t think my vote really matters.
Does that year of college tuition mean you can just up and GO TO COLLEGE?
Goddamn I want me some 18 year old idealists from NYU. I would do it. What the fuck do I care about the 2008 election?
Pin a freshman! Do your part.
By the way… to vote? You should have to serve in the military to earn it.
Hi Dan, * wow, if I had a dollar for everyone I have heard say that one vote does not make a difference, well….I wouldn’t have to choose… I wouldn’t need to…..take care, Lee
#1 and #2. I don’t like iPods.
College tuition.
one vote can make a difference.
http://www.houstonvotersagainstflooding.com/OneVote.htm
2
but i would give up my vote for $1 mill too………
I get tired of the politics in politics
College tuition. An iPod? Are they loco in the head?
give me the money.
I’d totally go for any of those. o_O Especially the last two, since I can’t vote in 2008 anyway. I’m not old enough.
but paying for tuition at nyu for a year is different from a public school or community college. i think for a school as expensive as nyu, i would take the tuition money but i wouldn’t want to give up my vote forever..
pseudoecho – hehe, what you said and your profile picture very much match!
I totally reject the premise of your question. One vote does make a difference. Just about every one of my campaigns have been decided by less than one point. The main one was less than 1800 votes out of 160,000 voters in a district of 700,000 people. The control of Congress turned on 83,000 votes NATIONWIDE!
How can you say one vote doesn’t make a difference?
Vote for Ron Paul
I’d like to say I wouldn’t give up my right to vote – but those be some tempting options. Still, one vote does make a difference. I actually think it should be mandatory to vote – for someone at least – even if you just write your own name in.
One. I’m a sell out like that.
I guess I agree with you that 1 vote doesn’t make a difference because I’ve been hearing that people rig them and it’s all on the hands of the electoral college in the end.
What is the least you would give up your right to vote for?
an iPod cause I don’t care about that. I’d rather receive college tuition (*sigh can’t believe I said that over the million). But realistically, I would not give up my right to vote, at least FOREVER…maybe for (1) 4yr term.
NONE OF THE ABOVE. Voting MAKES a difference.
No…. maybe the million, but no… I just feel dirty for the rest of my life. And dirty’s worse than poor.
tuition.
I’d take erasing my student loans. And I’d definately take the million. One vote really doesn’t matter.
I really value my right to vote. When I see how hard other countries have it as far as voting I feel blessed that I am able to do so here.
However . . . I could really use a cool million.
We had several elections around here that came down to less than a dozen votes. Single votes may not make a difference, but when a lot of people start thinking that, then it begins to make a difference.
I’d take the million, invest it, then buy some other sucker’s vote. J/K The million is tempting though. But what if everyone sold their vote for a million dollars? Not sure I’d want to live in that society for any price.
i would not give up my right to vote
I’m deeply disappointed in you Dan. Anyone who would give up their right to vote doesn’t deserve to be a citizen of this country. And one vote does matter. Ask Andrew Johnson about the single vote that prevented his impeachment in 1868. Ask Al Gore what he would have given for a few extra votes in Flordia.
And anyone who would sell their right to vote, whether for money or an ipod, disgusts me.
2 (i wont be 18 until 3 months after the election..), and probably 1 as well
I like to vote, and I’m one of those youngsters who does their research before marking a ballot. But seeing as I’m not thrilled with any of the 2008 candidates, I’d go for option #2. Besides, my ballot would probably end up in the river.
I would not give up my right to vote.
I reserve the right to choose who represents my views; and I also reserve the right to impeach those who do not represent my views.
Simply put, rights are as invaluable as life itself.
Those who are willing to assign a value to rights are summarily assigning values to life – specifically, their own lives.
#1, because I don’t have to vote in the States because I am Canadian! Honestly, the last few years I have been negligent in getting to the polls here in Canada. My husband doesn’t fail to vote and if there isn’t one single candidate that he cares for, he spoils the ballot.
Um, college! I’m an undergrad looking toward med school and my tuition is $46,000 and I have NO MONEY!!!
If it is just in politics votes. For 1 million that I can’t vote in elections. Sure, I’ll take that cuz I don’t vote.
An iPod, definitely an iPod. That is the least I would go for ’cause, ya see, I’m not the most ‘votinin’ son of a gun. I just like to keep my options open.
I don’t think a million is a lot of money but (to be completely honest) I do value my right to vote less than the value of an ipod… I can see my high school civics teacher cringe right now.
i’d take any and either.
1+2.
Firstly I’ll be 2 weeks too young to vote in the next election.Secondly, I’m a liberal in Texas, so my vote doesn’t count.Thirdly, you could pay someone to vote for you with 1 million dineroes.Fourthly, an iPod is not worth it. Period.My future right to vote is important to me, of course. However, my current situation would make it unfeasible for me to vote even IF I would be old enough. If I was in a swing state I’d have more qualms about it.
would our state lose electoral votes if too many of us opted out forever?
I mean really if I am a Democrat in Utah I may as well give it up because my state will never be Democratic…
I would be very tempted to pass one election for a year of tuition… but I am too much of a control freak to pass forever… even for a million…
1 million. I don’t even want to vote much if they give me the right to, since i think i will be probably making a vote because i have to only.
I definitely wouldn’t give it up for an iPod. Partly because I have one. & there’s no way I’d give it up for ONE year of college tuition. I’d want a full-ride.
I probably would give it up for $1 million though. Because I really don’t think my one vote is going to make a bit of difference. & in the once chance it did, I’d be horrified because what if my one vote cost us all something- what if I voted for the wrong person. Then I’d have that on my shoulders for the rest of my life.
I’ve decided I don’t want to think about this anymore.
Honestly, since I live in Illinois, my vote doesn’t matter since it’s always going to have a democratic majority, and will thus always win democrat, so I would gladly give up my right to vote for any of those.
All of the above, for sure.
one chance*
I’m still voting, regardless of if people think “it counts” or not. Just because then, I have a right to complain. I’ve always thought if you don’t vote, don’t complain.
I agree with if you don’t vote you don’t have a right to complain (unless you’re too young & you would have voted differently, because it’s not your fault you’re too young. but I’m glad i’ll be old enough to vote next election) but if I gave up my right to vote- then I’d give up my right to complain. It’d be stupid of me to complain if I didn’t want to take part in it.
2. mostly because I don’t like anyone in this particular election, and tuition would be nice.
i would never forfeit that right for ever!
i would SOOOOOO!!!! give up my right to vote (if i had it yet) for a years tuition
Well, I already have a tuition scholarship, and I don’t want an Ipod. As for the $1 million for no voting ever…yikes. I have no need of a million dollars… Maybe if I were desperately poor and sick and really needed the money I would, but I’m okay without it as of now.
I think it would take me a hell of a lot to give up my right to vote, especially for all time. I don’t think I can answer this. MAYBE if someone were to pay for all future academic endeavors (at least one masters and a doctorate) I might think about negotiating. Maybe. This is indicative of two things: We don’t take our right to vote seriously enough, and college tuition is too high.
it may not make an apparent difference but i would never give the RIGHT to vote up. that is a frightening idea.
I’d go for the college tuition to be honest.
I’ll take option 2. But I’d like to partake in local government stuff. The federal stuff doesn’t concern me as much with electoral colleges and whatnot.
-David
TheZenoBenjimon, that would not be a fair criterion because some people cannot serve in the military even if they desire to…
And I would give up my right to vote 2008 for free college tuition or a million dollars. An Ipod? Eh, I’m deaf, let me vote!
2
#2
I agree with the last comment. You should have to serve in the military to earn it, unless you are a concientious observer and then you could do some other gov’t work for a period of time to earn it.
But I would definitely take the million! It’s sad isn’t it?
So, Dan, you would give up your vote for life for $1 mil huh? You then can’t vote against that Democrat who will put you in a 98% tax bracket and take that million from you in taxes. What is that old saying? A fool is soon parted from his money.
I would NEVER give up my right to vote. When you no longer can vote, you no longer have a free society.
college tuition for a year
I guess the college tuition..
I would NOT want to give up voting forever, coz I do think that one vote makes a difference. (It’s the age old story, if everyone said that only one vote didn’t make a difference, where we would have no votes!)
Tuition at my college being $21,000 a year, I’d have to go with option two.
i wouldnt take any of those choices, but i would stay home on election day 2008 for $20mil. tax free,
I’m not old enough to vote. do I still get the money?
Maybe college tuition for a year, but not the other two.
D. None of the above. I want my freedom.
I wold totally not give up my vote! Especially since I’m going to be able to vote for the first time this year!
The year I turn 18 is an election year
I’m excited!
Tuition.
How screwed up is that?
The people who wouldn’t give up their right to vote for a million dollars are rich.
(2). We’re pretty well off, but I won’t lie, college tuition in exchange for one vote would be pretty badass.
One year of voting for tution – yeah maybe (do you know how much education costs?)
for an I-phone – who cares
one million never to be able to vote – are you dumb, thats stating that you can be bought. The idea that votes can be bought is why it cost thousands and millions of dollars already for people to be considered for president. If we all were paid to give up our vote then our country would not be of the people but of something else. NO WAY! NEVER! I will not live in a dictatorship and will not be bought
Daniel (doubledb)
I chose the tuition — and I’ve the kid who did get her driver’s license until she was nigh 20, but had her voter registration card in the week before her 18ths birthday so that when she turned 18, she could vote. I minored in political science, and loved studying the theoretical origins of democracy. Furthermore, I have not missed an election since 18, and truly believe it’s important to vote (and would not give that right up) — but, again, I think the ’08 election is shaping up to be one of totally horrible candidates and, frankly, I’m tired of picking the “lesser” of two evils. If giving up that meant a free year of education for me, I’m okay with that…
And to those who think the young don’t appreciate what it means to vote — why don’t you start complaining about older people who don’t vote (while I know the voting rates of older citizens is higher, not all vote). OR complain about those who vote without knowing ANYTHING about that which they are voting for?! I’m tired of people voting for issues because they say some one-sided campaign ad on TV, vote straight party lines, heard someone spouting off about an issue on the radio, or because someone “looks and sounds better.” That’s irresponsible. In fact, I think those uneducated voters are worse than people who simply abstain from voting.
I concur with vangelicmonk. Well said.
Ok, I need to proofread. Whatever. You get the point.
I would do: College tuition for a year: 2009 Presidential election. I wouldn’t give up this years Pres election, but I’d give up next years.
But really, I think I might give up voting in the 2012 Pres. elec. but it would all depend on who was running.
I really don’t like Clinton(s), so I most definatly want to vote against her. The only thing anyone could give me to not vote in this election would be the power to overrule the entire country and pick who I wanted for President. ;p
For a year of tuition I’d give up my vote in a heartbeat…that’s one less loan that I’d have to take out
since i technically can’t vote yet…. i’d go for all of them. it’s nothing to me. but i’m turning 18 soon. and i like the idea of voting. i don’t know why. anyone could do it. not that many people do anyway. so what’s a million, you know?
1. $1 million: No ability to vote forever
The money might actually mean more politically today. I think I’d take the money and find a way to donate it to the RON PAUL campaign… er, some of it, anyway.
2. College tuition for a year: 2008 Presidential election
For $46,000, I could pay someone who wouldn’t otherwise vote to vote for me. I wouldn’t consider it unscrupulous if it was just my vote that I lost. Plus, I’d have a lot of money left over.
3. iPod: 2008 presidential election
I already have an iPod. I’ll take my vote, thanks.
you’d probably make more of a difference or even just have greater political efficacy if you had a crapload of money rather than a single vote.
no, you WOULD make more of a difference AND have more political efficacy with a crapload of money rather than a single vote. take the money; make a difference.
Those who say that military service should be required for an input into the political process: you are wrong. Rights are INHERENT for citizens. We shouldn’t have to do indentured servitude just to get our own natural rights.
As I can’t vote anyways, I can choose whatever one I wish.
And, because no voting would have no effect on me, I choose #1.
However, this brings up the point of those who do reside in the US, and are not allowed to vote- there is already a huge block of people without this right.
That is, children under 18, and non-US citizens.
And yet, no one actually remember these people cannot vote.
I want to be noble and pick number two, which I would definitely do…but in reality, I wouldn’t mind losing my right in exchange for 1 million. That’s more like 50 years of college tuition.
I’d rather vote than have an iPod. But I would definitely take the college tuition money. Is there someone who wouldn’t take the college money? I’ve seen some people put “#1.” Does that mean they think there vote is worth tens of thousands of dollars?
I’d need at least college tuition for a year, but I wouldn’t give up my vote. I have to have a say in the world around me.
their*. eeek.
all three, please. i’d give up my right to vote forever for 1,000 dollars. Again, money is not important but it’s sure more sueful that worrying about political a$$holes.
Ehh… this is a toughie… I’d like to say that I wouldn’t give up my vote for any amount of money but I could really use a year’s worth of tuition! Guess I’d have to go with the choice that would allow me to sleep at night.
$1 million really doesn’t go very far anymore.
I think I’d take the million, like you though, I’m not a material kind of guy. I think with a million dollars I’d be able to invest it and be set fine for life. On the other hand, if everyone took the mill and people got into gov that were greedy, they could vote to take everything away from you and you couldn’t do anything about it. Then I guess that million wouldn’t be such a great deal after all. Did I make my point!
Wow. There are some really short-sighted, small-picture, maybe even stupid comments here.
First of all, one vote almost never ever makes a difference. For every example of where one vote made a difference, there are 99 that showed that one vote did not make a difference.
What can one do with $1 million dollars? A lot. I could trade my vote for the million and then pay 10 people to vote for the candidate that I would have voted for anyway, making my “vote” ten times for powerful.
There is the idea of the right to vote, which as a concept is worth risking one’s life for, but practically speaking, I’d give it up for less than $1 million. Especially if that million could be used for something important. Let’s say, a loved one’s surgery. Would you rather vote or get the money for your kid’s surgery that is only covered 50% by insurance? Even to pay off a mortgage.
For those folks who wouldn’t take a million, would you be willing to pay $1000 to vote?
I wouldn’t give up my right to vote for anything. You might think your vote is worthless, but it isn’t.
I have friends in places where they don’t get to vote, and they would give anything to have the opportunity that we routinely squander.
How shameful that we have such a precious gift, and we treat it as if it were a pile of shit.
Do we even need to get into the whole issue of how the Electoral College makes a lot of people’s votes next to useless?
I wouldnt give up my vote…not for any amount.
I’d probably take the college tuition for a year. One vote doesn’t make too much of a difference.
Then again, if EVERYONE were to take that view, no one would vote and that would be bad.
I would do the first two; I could use the million right now for half a dozen things, and I could always just tell my mother who to vote for, hehe. And who couldn’t use a year of college taken care of?
#1
Though, I’d regret it if California every morphs into a red state.
See, I would give up my right to vote only because I feel like the rest of America can do a good enough, perhaps even a better-informed, job of picking a worthy candidate. When I voted in 2004, I felt like my vote wasn’t based on very much. I just sorta picked names.
Now, if somebody like Hitler were up for election, I”m pretty sure I’d definitely want to put my vote against him. But that just won’t happen. In America, we have one mediocre politician against another. Both seem to present the same amount of good and bad. And both will lie equally to the public in order to get elected. I feel that even if I WERE informed about a candidate, the candidate would most likely change once elected, fall back on promises, etc.
I would never trade AMERICA’s right to vote, i.e. give up democracy, but I would definitely trade in mine.
How about my Med-school bill?
#2. Hands down. Me and my roommate don’t really think there is anyone worth voting for in this upcoming election.
None of the above…. ….’n none of those students sound like they have any brains, either…. If they would make such a trade, I think they should have their citzenship put on probation, maybe ship ‘em of to BFE !! To give up your right to choose who your leaders are also qualifies all such persons for a frontal lobotomy…. Brainless louts!! …. also, I’d have to agree with TheZenofBenjimon
Peace
One vote might not matter.
But while all you schmucks are giving up your right to vote, I’ll stick around and me and the other 3 people who can still vote will get to decide the fate of our country.
I must say I do find it sad how little regard people in the US have for voting. “One vote” may not make a huge impact in the presidential election (well, unless you lived in Florida back in 2000), but what about local and state elections? You have a much bigger say in those, and they probably affect your day-to-day lives much more.
nothing….I believe every vote counts and it is a privilege!
#1
$1 million
I’d take the million dollars…I could pay for ALL of my college tuition and then buy a house and not be in debt.
I wouldn’t trade my vote for the 2008 election, maybe for another election, but not this one. It’s too critical that we keep Hilary out of office. *shudders at the thought* anybody but Hilary
RON PAUL 2008
that is all.
o and I would trade one of my future votes for a years tutition. My tutition is 46k a year.
Wow…see one vote doesn’t count, add that to all the other people who are convince their vote doesn’t count…I can’t believe you don’t vote!
Would you give up your voice, be mute, for a million dollars? Would you go through the rest of your life never being able to speak, for that “non-materialist” million? I doubt it. Even if no one ever listened to a word you said, you would still want the ability to speak.
Whether one vote matters or not, is not relevant, even though I personally believe it does make a difference. The question should be, do you want your “voice” taken away forever?
If one never votes, go ahead and take the money. I doubt if that voice is being heard in the real world anyway.
i’m not voting because i don’t think the government deserves a second of my time. plus, it’s not like they tell you the truth anyway. it’s like voting for an actor.
One year’s tuition – I don’t vote anyway. I don’t presume to know enough about politics to make an educated vote.
I’d choose the million dollars, cuz just because I personally can’t vote doesn’t mean that I can’t convince other people to vote for the person I support.
make me a sandwich and you can have my vote..
I vote every other November. I’d abstain for money. I’m not sure where I’d draw the line.
Thats fucking scary.
Prosing questions compelte disrespects the past struggles and fight alot of our country men had to go through just to vote.
Women didnt get the right to vote until 1920 in the united states.
I think, if people are so ready and willing to give up their vote, perhaps they reevaluate their values. Materialism will only get you as far as the next dollar can carry- values and ethics maintained endure.
None of the above. Seven million and full access and choice to medical, dental and vision care for myself and my family, at no cost to us.
But I don’t think my vote counts, either.
Well… since the Governator is paying for my school….. I would go for the Ipod. But I want the phone! not the touch!
I think it’s ungrateful to throw away what little power you have over the situation of this nation. Voting isn’t a right; it’s a responsibility. I can understand that a year’s worth of tuition can mean more to someone than a ballot with a name on it in the short term. But if you voted for someone who would include more government funding of university education, wouldn’t that be more useful to more people, in the long run?
Throwing away your vote doesn’t make you not responsible for what your government does. It makes it worse, because you stood by and didn’t do anything about it.
i wouldn’t give up my right to vote for anything.
I’d go for the million
I’d take the million dollars, I don’t really vote anyways.
Although the money would be nice, giving up my right to vote would be a tough thing to give up…I usually feel that my vote doesnt count around election time, going to the polls is a statement I believe in making every 4 years or so…
so not I would not give up my right to vote
#1 cuz i don’t know how to use an ipod and a million bucks would be awesome. Bills paid for life! and a car.
$1 million and never be allowed to vote.
Would it be taxed?
i’d use it to pay for my last 3 semesters of college… and then, if there was enough left over, I’d use the rest to hire the goo goo dolls. there should be enough left over even if it is taxed… but I’d like to have like $100,000 left over at the end to put into a savings account or something.
I think I’d give up my right to vote forever for a million dollars. Not only would I be debt free, but I’d be completely safe every 4 years from debates with people. I could just say “hey, I don’t care who wins. I don’t vote.” Would shut a lot of people up…
Who do we talk to about exchanging our right to vote for money/objects? Sign me up!
the one million and never vote again
#2 tuition is crazy
hell, I won’t have the right to vote by the time I”m 18. where’s my $1 million? or year’s tuition? or even an iPod?
Freaking discrimination against those immigrants who try to come here by the “proper channels” .. let us wait (as of now 8 years, with no end in sight) for just a green card, and after that it it 5 years before you can even apply for citizenship. I”ve been here more than half my life, I should not have to bother with this. I can’t work, I can’t vote, I can’t join ROTC at school, won’t be able to join the military. And I don’t even know if complaining on the internet or in public won’t make them judge the case differently and not “award” us the documents.