Weddingbee boards

@KatyElle: this . that. and the other.

I don't follow politics in that I don't follow the play-by-play too closely because it takes too much energy and makes me frustrated, except close to elections (I always vote). I do however care very, very deeply about policy, which is somewhat different than politics in that it's about the deeper issues rather than the drama that is displayed in the media or daily play-by-play. that distinction prob doesn't mean too much to most people, but it does to me. I lived in DC for a long time and worked in the policy world, but I can't name all the members of Congress, so yeah, I don't "follow" politics in the same way a lot of people I know do! It's hard not to talk politics or policy when it's so much of what you do, but we have some close friends who we know have very different beliefs, and I refuse to talk with them about it at all just because we aren't going to "convert" each other and it's just too contentious. And these are dear, dear friends, ie, our best man and his fiance, but we just don't get into it.

No, I don't refuse to follow politics because it is my right as an American to be active in them.  I take pride in keeping myself knowledgable on such matters.  Why?  Because when it comes time to complain, I A) I know what I'm talking about and don't sound like an idiot, and B) I have every right to complain because I voted.

I would never refuse to follow politcs.  As pp's have stated it is our responsibility as citizens to know what is going on.  I am a politics JUNKIE now.  I watch the news shows all evening long.  But when I was younger I didn't care so much.  I was carefree, didn't own anything and just having fun.  I think as things affect you more you become more interested. When I was in my twenties the economy was much better and life was overall pretty good.  Now, my coworkers are getting laid off left and right, I'm upside down in my mortgage, I'm a union member who remembers what working conditions were like 20 years ago, I don't know how I'm going to afford to send my two kids to college, the price of everything is sky high, there are local and national laws and injustices that effect me every day, etc., etc., etc. Obviously I'm more affected therefore I am more interested.  

As far as conversations go, I try to avoid them when I feel others don't share my political views.  I'm not looking for a battle (unlike DH).  I just like to know what's going on so I can know which way to vote.  

@Ember78: I think it's extremely important to at least be informed on current political issues enough to vote according to your beliefs, even if you don't care much for politics. If you truly refuse to follow politics I honestly hope you don't vote. And I think that anyone who doesn't vote really shouldn't complain about any politcal choices being made (unless they had a REALLY good reason not to vote).

I'm a history and political science major so I love knowing what's going on and discussing politics, but I hate getting into a debate with someone who is convinced they are right. I like the discussion part, not someone telling me I'm wrong, the great thing about politics is diversity of opinions and that there's no one right answer.

I try not to follow the mudslinging but I feel that since I am affected by what happens in politics I should know who is in office, the major legislation, etc.

I follow enough to be informed, but not enough where it drives me up the wall. Too much of anything is bad.

I follow it because of the reasons mentioned above but also b/c DH is very interested.  I don't discuss it with anyone but him, though.

@ashleyyyg: You do realize you don't have to vote Republican or Democrat? There are independent parties. You can also write someone in- Mickey Mouse gets a lot of votes every election. You say that the President doesn't know what people want- but with only 50% of the population even voting in the first place, and so many people with the logic that there's no point, we can't have a President that represents everyone. Besides, there will always be people who disagree, politicians can't please everyone.