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If someone doesn't vote, does she then cede (to any extent) the right to complain about the conduct of the subsequently elected official(s)?
Accepted:
January 11, 2009

Comments

Oliver Leaman
January 22, 2009 (changed January 22, 2009) Permalink

I don't think so, perhaps none of the candidates looked worth voting for, or had the right views. On the other hand, if there is a candidate who you think would do a good job, and has the right ideas, and you do not vote for him or her, if someone else gets in then you have missed an opportunity to make your choice count. I don't think that prevents you from complaining though, and sometimes it is quite satisfying when the wrong person is elected since one can then contemplate a future of grumbling at the outcome. It is a bit like poking a painful tooth, in one sense unpleasant but also agreeable.

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