Home > Opinion > Bonnie Erbe > If Fiorina and Whitman Weren't Committed Enough to Vote, Why Run for Office?

If Fiorina and Whitman Weren't Committed Enough to Vote, Why Run for Office?

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They didn't vote because as corporate chieftains they know real political power is to be had by lobbying dollars. That's right folks, sorry to break it to you, but your votes count less, much less than wealthy people's ability to garner influence through their ability to donate big bucks to lobby politicians. It should really be called "legal bribery." That being said, you should still vote in such a way to end that corruption.

John Peralta of NE 4:22PM November 11, 2009

if so wouldn't that be a conflict of interest?

MIKE of ME 5:37PM November 08, 2009

Chuck D of ND
How true our President voted 'present' in Congress.
Citizens not voting are not part of the cure but the problem. Non-voters really should not complain about outcome of the vote. They have forfeited their rights. Must live with majority vote.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. High numbers vote when issues are dear to their heart. By not voting, your issues may not pass, others you don‘t like, may pass.
Complicity is ruination of a Country and human rights.

Bill Hedges of MO 4:53PM November 08, 2009

What's the difference between not voting and voting present?
We elected a president who voted "present" over a 100 times, AFTER being elected to represent the people in Chicago and then in Illinois.
Why does a person's voting habits as a private citizen matter with that in mind?
I fail to see how this is an issue; aren't we supposed to be looking toward the future instead of back?

Chuck D of ND 1:15PM November 08, 2009

It's exciting for me having lived with my family in the Bakersfield area to consider the candidacy of a bright, tough, compassionate leader, Carly Fiorina. The great San Joaquin valley has been held hostage by water regulations that make little if any sense. Many of my friends in the Fresno area are experiencing forty percent unemployment and loss of jobs.
The current administration in Washington D.C. plays the radical and dangerous game of setting wrong priorities. Health care, cap and trade, weak defense policies, all serve to keep our eye off the ball. The problem which is being ignored in Washington by the administration and Senators like Barbara Boxer is the dismal economy and a lack of effort to restore or create jobs. Month after month we hear on network news the recitation of more job loss numbers.
California needs someone who is a person of action with a plan for economic growth. Carly Fiorina thinks outside the box and Californians will learn quickly that she will bring jobs and economic growth to this great state in weeks not years. It is great news for my wife Mary Beth, myself and our California friends to have the possibility of this incredible woman of action available for political service. She will once again put California on the map as a place of progress, jobs, and compassion for others. A vote for Carly will be a vote for increasing jobs for all.
Posted by: Dr. Alan Phillips

Dr, Phillips of IL 11:42AM November 08, 2009

I do not see why her voting or not voting is an issue. Heck, it didn't impact Obama. His voting record in the Senate is at best "spotty". And this was AFTER he was elected, not before. Carly is a business woman, who has grown tired of the Barbara Boxers of the world and has decided to try to do something about it. Kudos to her in my mind!
Bob

bob conner of CA 2:39PM November 07, 2009

Rich of CO
Accept what you get... If you're not part of the solution your part of the problem.

Bill Hedges of MO 12:33PM November 07, 2009

I'm a conservative and ready to kick these DEMs and RINO out of California. However, the Republican candidates have not been overhelmingly impressive. And voting records like that of the Whitman/ Fiorina duo definitely hurt the cause.
I agree that while these are not necessarily fatal flaws, but they surely taint my trust for them. Why run to serve in a system that you don't have any faith in??? It is a very curious question. Of course, that is not to say that people cannot have a change of heart. I'm hoping that they'll do some good for California and I'll vote based on the research I've done on them. Republicans definitely don't get my automatic vote nowadays.

VR of CA 7:13PM November 06, 2009

Some of us have given up on democracy. We've seen far too many people vote for a candidate because they liked his tie, or his wife's hair, or because he was of a certain race.
It only takes one such person to offset the vote of a thinking, concerned citizen. And they are legion; the public education system ensures we have a steady flood of poorly educated, misinformed voters ready to be manipulated by politicians in order to justify their claim to power.
Keep on voting if it makes you feel good, but don't mistake other's lack of participation for disinterest. We're frustrated and angry, but we're *definitely* paying attention.

Rich of CO 6:01PM November 06, 2009