Can people be trusted to vote for what is best for them?

Unfortunately not.

Hell, no. Half the time they aren't even aware of the real issue. I know I'm not. That why I don't vote.

Some people can. I don't know about most people, though.

Yes - the people providing them with the facts in order to help their decision can't be trusted.

Of course not. The US is living proof that people (mostly poor people in red states) vote against their own interests all the time. I think they mostly do it because they don't know how it will affect them, not because they actually want to vote against their own interests.

No because people are stupid.

If they know what's best for them, then I think yes. Of course when the choices are all bad, what's the poor voter to do?

Sure. People make decisions based on the choices they are presented with. If you have good vs evil, that's an easy choice. If you have Democrats vs Republicans (or, in Canada, Liberals vs Conservatives), the choice may be tougher to make. Overall, I believe that the majority make the right choice for themselves, but I don't always agree with the majority.

How do you know it's not the best for them?

It's their own bloody fault they cannot adopt to the system they live in.

> Yes - the people providing them with the facts in order to help their
> decision can't be trusted.


Autumnlight is right. I agree

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I say yes. I think it's pompous and elitist to presume people don't know what's best for them.

people mostly vote for what they want. not for what is best for them in the long term!

some people vote because they believe what the candidate is telling them as opposed to researching exactly what the candidate represents....... there are plenty of middle class and poorer people who still truly believe the bush is saving them money................... so NO, they can't be trusted!

That would assume that "what is best for them" is on the ballot. I've yet to see that...

Usually not. Just look at the state of the world now. So many people tend to be gullible followers who believe whatever they are told. One should always question authority and question so-called "leaders" and not automatically believe that just because they are famous, rich, or politicians, they have the common folks' best interests in mind. The rich are getting richer and some places in the U.S. -- especially in certain big cities -- are getting more and more like third-world countries. I have to step over several people sleeping on the sidewalks on my way to work each morning.

Sometimes

I like being right! lol

not usually! Besides, what's best for them may very well be NOT what's best for everyone else.

Unfortunately no. What is worse is that I honestly believe that we are living in a day and age where the masses are mere pawns of big business, big government, and big media and currently lack the ability to govern themselves even if they had the opportunity.

Heck no. The people who take the time to educate themselves and don't allow the media and politicians to persuade them in one direction or another, are those that can make good personal judgements. Unfortunately, I don't think a majority of people do this.

Thats like asking if people can be trusted to drive.

It depends on how old they are and how well informed they are........six year olds are people who can vote on whether a pizza party for their class is a good idea if they know if it is free or will cost them $100 each - get my meaning?

...I leave the driving to my '92 Olds...I just sit there so no thinks the martians have invaded us!

You really think that's what voting is about?

Not all people, i can write a page long about this, but i say not always

This question suggests that a dictatorship would be better than democracy?

Else how come they vote for such crap leaders?

Do you really think a '92 Olds would make the trip from Mars?

Yes, yes I do.

I think it really depends on how well informed they are.

Just goes to show ya how much money NASA wastes every year. Space shuttles. Who needs em? All we need is an Oldsmobile!

Yes.... a better question might be... can the government be trusted to honor those votes?

> Yes.... a better question might be... can the government be trusted
> to honor those votes?

Good one!

yes. THe problem is that they vote for whats best for THEM at the expense of others.

Not much of a politics person

No people like George Bush cannot be trusted and do we need more George Bushes to screw up another country? Some people will be so trusting they will vote for Bin Laden if they could and they would vote to put a Donkey in thee White House some people are plain stupid and retarded with no brains in their heads

And will Americans learn a hard lesson from the Bush corruption scandal in the White House and those political crooks in Washington who make promises they never keep and stick to their word, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink it?

Well if you look at the idiots who keep re-electing Ted (what Bridge) Kennedy, and those who elected Queen Bee Hillary Clinton, people cannot be trusted to vote for what is best for them... Only a fool would vote for either the Democrat or Republicans, although the Republicans are the lesser of two evils, but not by much...

> Just goes to show ya how much money NASA wastes every year. Space
> shuttles. Who needs em? All we need is an Oldsmobile!

An Oldsmobile to replace the Space Shuttles why did I not think of this FordGuy?? at least an Oldsmobile will circle thee earth and come back in one piece he he he he

Bin Laden for President you cannot catch me or kill me

Sometimes.

what polititon (Carter not withstanding) isn't currupt to some extent?

> what polititon (Carter not withstanding) isn't currupt to some extent?

No not Jimmy Carter but Bush and Bill Clinton are the biggest crooks and liars there ever was , and now look at what Bush has tried to do sell our Ports to a terrorist organization United Arab Imirates I mean a no brainer on George Bush he would sell our souls to the devil

People in a county near mine recently vote to raise the sales taxes from eight cents to nine cents. that hurs the people more becuase they now have to spend more money on sale taxes P.S. I dont live in the county but go to school in a city in it and that city didnt even get to vote to raise the sales taxes.

'What is good for them' is an interpretation of an opinion. People wouldn't know what is good for them if it bit them in the butt.

Some people don't know what's good for them, and other people do.

sometimes it has to bite them in the butt, and sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes, if they are well informed.