A Government is broken.
B People are cynical (see A)
We can either choose to do something about it, or we can limp along and complain.
Marina has some good suggestions about encouraging people to vote (and the registration process needs to be ripped from the hands of any party. I don’t know why it isn’t just issued when you get a driver’s license renewed at the appropriate age. Issuing a registration doesn’t obligate you to do anything)
I’m concerned about the combination of ignorance + increasing intrusion of Christian fundamentalism with republicans + the growing inflammatory, racist, underclass rhetoric (also republicans) + brand voters.Those aren’t a good combination in the midst of an economic meltdown.
You do not have to vote.
You can vote any way you want.
It makes sense to me that it is in each of our own interests to vote as smartly as we can.
Finally, you do need to keep focused on the people you elect who are closer to you (representative, senate) presidents can do very little to fix anything or change things the way you want unless the congress you elect is in synch with your presidential preference.
To pick an example out of the hat: lots of republicans don’t like Barney Frank. The only voters that matter are in Massachusetts. If the leader you have doesn’t support your concerns, check out the new contenders in the primaries.