Opinion
Vote or shut up
Guy Ronen
Published: 10.02.09, 17:22
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20 Talkbacks for this article
1. Duh!
J K ,   NYC, USA   (02.10.09)
This is true anywhere. You gotta be in it to win it. If you don't vote, don't complain. Guess it was a slow day and this was phoned in.
2. you shut up! if my statement is not voting, it's my right!!!
(02.10.09)
3. What a crock of,
David ,   USA, exile   (02.10.09)
This is the same garbage they preach in the US to try and shame people into participating in a worldly system of government. The old cry of vote or shut up, it is your duty. It is not my duty! I am a citizen regardless of whether or not I choose to vote for the lesser of two or more evils. I have a higher authority to answer to and He says that I should not choose any evil. When a true Tzaddik appears on the balot, then and only then will I vote. My King is still on His throne and He is not up for re-election.
4. very well stated!!!! Except...
(02.10.09)
...about your Christian knowledge let's make a few changes to the first sentence so that it makes intelligent sense :) (I am sure that you would assist me by correcting my Hebrew if it needed it) "Speak now or forever hold your peace" is what a Protestant Minister says and what a non-sectarian justice of the peace says in the United States. "What God has brought together let no man tear asunder" is what a Roman Catholic Priest says. Other than that well the rest of your text is just right and I agree with you 100%
5. Kvetching is an inalienable Jewish right.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (02.10.09)
6. He's right but
(02.10.09)
Ronen fails to discuss the central problem with the Israeli political system: no accountability. Sharon was elected on a Right-wing Likud platform. On whim, he decided to ignore his voters and his party, imposed the policies rejected by the voters, and then gutted the Likud to invent Kadima. In these elections, if Netanyahu wins, there is no doubt that half of the Kadima members will join Netanyahu, against the wishes of Kadima voters. Many people refuse to vote because the Israeli system is a farce.
7. shut up & vote is the good order
avi   (02.10.09)
8. #2
BJ ,   israel   (02.10.09)
duh is right- you don't vote you are making a statement allright: it means you don't count- you are a nobody, nothing, zilch ,LOL You have a right to be a nobody! Congratulations.
9. Really?
Ariel Ben Yochanan ,   Kfar Tapuah   (02.10.09)
B"H Vote or shut up - says Guy Ronen. Really? What an arrogant statement! With nearly 40% we, the non voting public, are the real winners! We are the largest group here, more than Likud, more then Kadima, more than Labor, more than the Left and more than the Right. We should speak up more than ever and more loudly than ever. We should voice and voice again and again our NO CONFIDENCE in the "democratic" system. Not because it is corrupt and insufficient in terms of decision-making but because it is Hellenistic. Let's not forget that the knesset is NOT a Torah institution and as Jews our duty on the Land of Israel is to bring it down, appoint a King, Sanhedrin and just courts in every village. Every election shows that nearly half of the Israelis understand this basic truth and there is no way we'll stop fighting for our fundamental Jewish right to have a Jewish State. Long Live The King! www.thetorahrevolution.blogspot.com
10. No vote, No talkbacks
zach ,   Israel   (02.11.09)
If you spare us your vote plase spare us your stupid talkbacks
11. #9 Ariel
David ,   USA, exile   (02.11.09)
You are spot on Ariel! I wish I were in Yisra'el so I could join you.
12. Torahless or Superstitious -- Not a Choice
Paqid Yirmeyahu ,   Ra'anana, Israel   (02.11.09)
Torah does not permit support either for a government separate (i.e., le-havdil) from Torah or for a government ruled by superstition and calling superstitions Torah (khilul ha-Sheim). This election has demonstrated, yet again (how many times will it take) that qodesh will never mix with khol. Havdalah is commanded and those who profess to follow Torah while mingling with the khol make themselves sanctimonious hypocrites and breachers of Torah. Havdalah from khol, including those who reject or ignore the b'rit Torah and refuse to make teshuvah, is a mitzwah, not a suggestion. Those who think they can claim the promises of Torah based on the sanctimonious hypocrisy of violating this basic mitzwah will continue to be thwarted until they make the unavoidable havdalah. Your grandparents would have sat shiva for them and moved on; and they were right. ha-Sheim and His Torah don't change... ever. Paqid Yirmeyahu Paqid 16, The Netzarim, Ra'anana, Israel Israeli Orthodox Jew (Teimani Baladi Dardai) Advancing Logic as Halakhic Authority Welcoming Jews & non-Jews www.netzarim.co.il
13. see what happenes?
Lisa ,   Switzerland   (02.11.09)
now all the non-voters can blame themselves for this no-win situation. The whole idea of a democracy is that the individual has an opinion and a voice- and let's it be known- by VOTING not venting his anger in TBs. Non-voters are not only harming themselves- but the country as a whole. The article is spot-on. Non voters made their pie- now they can eat it.......
14. the arabs are voting- why arent you?
rem ,   israel   (02.11.09)
if you dont vote, then someone else will- for a party that could really not work towards your benefit...if you are jewish and care about your country and want to defend yourself against a growing arab population in israel...you better vote because they will anyway...
15. #13 LIsa
David ,   USA, exile   (02.11.09)
I am sorry your eyes are closed to Torah. Both the living Torah and the written Torah. Why should I care about what a democracy is intended to be? I did not choose democracy. I was born in this country and its government is forced upon me, I do not bow to the gods of this world whether they are in the form of a democracy or communism. I have one King and one Law (Torah). Where the two meet in agreement with the law of the land, then I obey. When they disagree then Torah is my choice. You have been brainwashed well Lisa. I pray you recover before it is too late.
16. This article is 100% right!
Ariel ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (02.11.09)
And this is why in Australia, voting is compulsory. That way, everybody has the right to complain because everybody had their say! BRING THIS SYSTEM TO ISRAEL
17. THIS VOTE SOLVED NOTHING
JJJ ,   JER IS   (02.11.09)
AND PROVED THAT THE SYSTEM IS UNWORKABLE AND DOESNT WORK FOR THE PRIVATE CITIZEN THOES WHO DIDNT VOTE ARE THE TRUE HEROES
18. I voted. If you don't vote you're voting for extrimests.
Avinoam ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (02.11.09)
I think that the majority of votes lost from apathy are in central parties. This means that the crazier parties get disproportionate representation. If you don't know who to vote for, choose 2 you can stomach and flip a coin. Most likely you'll be choosing 2 centrist parties and you'll bring the entire political spectrum closer to centre. If only 60% voted that means that fringe parties are getting 167% (100/60) of the seats they deserve. Apathy gives extremism power and creates instability. Non-voters should pay higher taxes to compensate for the impact this instability has on our economy, education etc. Non-voters should also start their own bus-line that runs on Shabbat, and maybe buy some land in Cyprus where people can get married in a civil service. After all, what is the price of large parties on the fringe?
19. #15 dear David
Lisa, ,   switzerland   (02.12.09)
thank you for your concern about my brain- it is doing just fine. While I respect your faith in the Torah and God- I would like to remind you, that the country you are living in can only exist if there is a government to look after people. You want to live in a cave? Where does your food come from, electricity, WATER? You take- but you do give- what? the 'gods of this world' as you call it , are protecting you when the rockets fall- . USA exile mean you are there- or you came from there? Neither place would be safe for you without a government- protecting you- . It is your choice- I agree- but by not voting you are also forfeiting your right to have a say in anything- . if this makes you happy- you are doing the right thing.
20. #19 Dear Lisa
David ,   USA, exile   (02.12.09)
Your reply is the one I expected. For your information, I forfeit nothing by not voting. My food, clothing, home and protection comes from above. The giver of all good things. To Him be all the praise. The present system is only the tool He uses for those provisions. If it is removed, He will provide in another way. My right to express my opinion of this world system without being an active participate in choosing which ungodly system is in power is given to me from my Father Yahvah. Not by you Lisa. If you wish to choose evil that is your choice. I was only trying to make you think.
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