Are you going to vote?

[Sabaron]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Isn't it ironic that there are so many attack ads? Do people ever actually realize that all of them probably have merit? This means that any candidate you are voting for is probably lying to you about his plans for when he/she's elected. I haven't voted for a national office for years--I just leave them blank, but I vote on the local stuff. The power the political parties hold over sheep voters is absolutely insane--almost godlike. Plus, they made it easier to rig elections by putting in nifty electronic voting machines and even then they don't get the right numbers and there's always calls for investigation/hand recount b/c some gung-ho party-bot has altered the data in the machine.

It's insane...

Did you know that the Republican Party makes campaign contributions to Green Party candidates so they become more popular and dilute the Democratic Vote?

Remember... if you see an attack ad--it probably has merit because if it didn't the candidate's people would get sued for libel (slander? Idk wrt Television)...

Why try to choose the lesser of two evils?

I have the firm belief that the people have just as much a right to refuse to choose any balloted candidate based on their corruption and vice. Why would we want these people governing us? We're not allowed to say NEITHER! We can only choose one corrupted party-bot or another, there's no other option.

AND there's no automatic run-off elections, so when a 3rd party candidate runs, votes for him only serve to aid the party with the views most contrary to his. Automatic runoff is a system in which a voter numbers the candidates in order of preference rather than just checking a single candidate. That way, if no candidate achieves victory, they can simply eliminate votes for all of the lowest numbered candidate and re-run the election without re-casting ballots. It's very useful, smart, and efficient. Unfortunately, it's opposed by big party candidates because it interferes with their seedy, underhanded tactics.


I would like to say as well that I was born on Election Day and I'm very very very serious about my political and philosophical ideals. It appears, however, that Evil is incredibly popular among Americans and no one gives a flying F.

[Gentoo]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Hey there. Just wondering who all was going to go out and vote today. I don't necessarily want to hear how you're going to vote; just if you will or not.

Unfortunately I can't vote this time around, mainly because of my own special brand of stupidity.

I relocated a few hundred miles away from my old voting district. My spouse and I both went down to the City Hall to re-register. A few weeks later, we both get envelopes from the county. She opened hers and had the "Thanks for registering," form letter. Knowing mine was the same, I tossed it on the pile to be processed later (never).

Seems my letter was different after all. The problem was that I couldn't be registered to vote in my current county because I was still registered to vote in my old county. This of course wasn't a problem for my spouse -- they just informed the old county she moved, and would be registered in the new county, but whatever...

My oldest kid, visiting one weekend, informs me that she had to do the same thing by calling the County Auditors office and asking that she be de-registered. "Oh, that's easy," I thought, "I'll do that Monday. " So of course, I forgot about making the call until after the registration deadline.

I wasn't so much looking forward to voting for anyone as much as I was being able to vote against my current house representatives.

[Kadenmire]

Re: Are you going to vote?

I vote but I'm never happy with my slection of candadates. Its like I have to choose between dumb, dumber, and f*&%ing retarded.

[Karinya]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Remember... if you see an attack ad--it probably has merit because if it didn't the candidate's people would get sued for libel (slander? Idk wrt Television)...

So what? The lawsuit won't finish until after the election. Assuming the sleazemonger doesn't get elected, control the Justice Department and then stop the lawsuit from proceeding, the damages from the lawsuit will probably be much less than the candidate will make from "campaign contributions" or the increase in value of their stock.

Some attack ads are truthful, or partly truthful. A lot are just lies. News organizations won't usually report on the lies, because they're reluctant to call any politician or public figure a liar even when they obviously are.

Why try to choose the lesser of two evils?

Because if you don't, the greater of two evils gets elected, ignores warnings about little things like terrorism and hurricanes until *after* they hit, and then invades some unrelated country for five years. Then they use the results of their own incompetence at stopping terrorism as an excuse to demand greater power, the right to ignore laws and the Constitution, and basically anything else they want, while accusing anyone who disagrees with them of treason. Have you been living under a rock or something?

I have the firm belief that the people have just as much a right to refuse to choose any balloted candidate based on their corruption and vice. Why would we want these people governing us? We're not allowed to say NEITHER! We can only choose one corrupted party-bot or another, there's no other option.

This is why there are primaries (I voted in those, too). Notice what party Lieberman is running for this year? If you want to get involved in what candidates appear on the ballot, do so; don't wait for others to nominate and then whine that you don't like their choices.

You have some good points about third parties, but you have to control the legislatures (at least) to even seriously propose meaningful electoral reform. So your choices are (a) start an armed revolution, (b) elect some candidates that will reform the system (which means voting for them under the *current* system until we can get it changed), or (c) sit on your ass and bitch.

P.S. Yes, I voted. You should too.

[eticket109]

Re: Are you going to vote?

For me it's more a matter of choosing the lesser evil of two evil lessers.

[Aksannyi]

Re: Are you going to vote?

I voted about an hour ago. My brother (who is home on leave) actually stayed with my kids for a few minutes so I could do so, otherwise I'd have had to take them with me which =/= fun.

[Kitalrez]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Meh, Utah politics is it's own special brand of circus side-show. Despite that, I still voted. We had some ballot initiatives to set up bonds for parks, transit corridors, and light and commuter rail funding. I tend to be in favor of places to release children back into the wild, and who doesn't love a good round of pothole fixing? Plus, there's a good chance that last bond will reduce my morning "Trench Run from Starwars" down I-15 for 45 minutes to work.

I remain disappointed in my state, however. This is a place where we waste an entire legislative session debating an already unconstitutional "message bill" banning gay marriage, or nuclear proliferation, or some other such nonsense, instead of doing what we promised to do at the start of the session, like dropping the sales tax on food, or funding our health insurance program for children living in poverty. (No joke, kids, both these programs got pushed aside and they didn't want to come back for a special session just to fix them). And despite our entire long history of being run by complete morons who can't pass a useful bill to save their lives but can't wait to tell the rest of the country how to do things: THERE CONTINUES TO BE NO BALLOT MEASURE RECOMMENDING THAT FLORIDA BE DEMOTED BACK TO NON-VOTING TERRITORY!

Of all the problems currently facing our fragile nation, this stands as the most critical. Without Florida, we could have proper elections and concern ourselves with issues that actually need resolution, (instead of the whole mess with adding Viagra to Medicaid covered prescriptions, arguing about whether or not Cuba needs more sanctions, and making sure brain damaged individuals have their right to sit there and drool protected whether they realize it or not). Think of the benefits to Florida, as well. They can finally organize themselves into "The Sovereign Nation of God's Waiting Room".

[Sabaron]

Re: Are you going to vote?

...Because if you don't, the greater of two evils gets elected, ignores warnings about little things like terrorism and hurricanes until *after* they hit, and then invades some unrelated country for five years. Then they use the results of their own incompetence at stopping terrorism as an excuse to demand greater power, the right to ignore laws and the Constitution, and basically anything else they want, while accusing anyone who disagrees with them of treason. Have you been living under a rock or something?...

Obviously, I have not... There's no need to attack me personally simply because I choose not to endorse candidates I find repellant. I don't align myself with either the Democratic or Republican parties (nor Green, nor Libertarian, but they're a bit closer to my viewpoint than the majors). Basically, If I vote, Green, I assist the Republicans which I absolutely do not want. If I vote for a Democrat, I get the same cheese.

So tell me what's so all fired great about the Democrats and Joe Lieberman? Why should I go and vote for them? Are they all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows? Will they send me free money? Will they lower my taxes? Are they all halo-wearing angels in human form ready to strike down evil where e'er it lurks? Are they going to undo all of the unjust draconian laws that have been put on the books (either by Dems or Reps)?

I did vote... Just not for them, and not for anyone who would further the ends of those I detest most.

Don't worry, there's plenty of Gimme-gimme voting sheep and fanatical idealogues to get the Dems in this time (at least anywhere that wasn't painted blue upon creation)...


AND...

Since you attacked me directly I'll ask you this... How often do you actually write/email/talk to your representatives? Do you actually pay any attention to what they do after you vote for them? I do... even if I don't like them. In essence it doesn't really matter who you guys who vote elect, because I'll still talk to them and they decide issues based on polls and/or whoever's hand is in their pocket at the time.

AND (again)..

I'll also state that there are (shudder and gasp) Republicans I like, Democrats I despise, Democrats I like, and Republicans I despise, so for me it's not a matter of bringing my big red brush to the booth.


My aunt is a Democratic Party Primary Elector. I don't generally find any of the Primary candidates any more meritous than the others either.

[Sabaron]

Re: Are you going to vote?

With respect to suit for libel. Another reason they don't do this is because if they do, and their opponent can actually prove in court that they're doing something nefarious, they get impeached and thrown in jail. Better just to let sleeping dogs "lie".

[Eauijhkuu]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Early Voted last Thursday.

[Skoal]

Re: Are you going to vote?

I'll also state that there are (shudder and gasp) Republicans I like, Democrats I despise, Democrats I like, and Republicans I despise, so for me it's not a matter of bringing my big red brush to the booth.

Besideds the emotes, I feel this is the mentality of alot of people I know. No one (that I know) follows one party blindly. This day and age there is so much diversity within each party that it is hard to pick one "side" and ride them all the way.

I love my country. It has given me a chance to try and affect the outcome of what happens. Also it has provided me with a great life and opportunity to strive. Honestly there is no place in the world that is perfect. The way I see it, whether you are "voting for the lesser evil", not voting or voting for a party out of spite, you are exercising your right.

[Theyaden]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Hey there. Just wondering who all was going to go out and vote today. I don't necessarily want to hear how you're going to vote; just if you will or not. I'm going on lunch break to vote. If you're not in the USA, my apologies for jabbering on. If you're just a wittle guy/girl and you aren't old enough to vote, make sure you do one day, just so you can earn the right to bitch about politics like the rest of us.

Voted before work today. the local politics often make more of a difference in day to day life than many realize. Besides it does at least give me standing to gripe later ^..^

I don't agree with voting when someone has no opinion, but it doesn't take long to research and have an idea. Not to mention there is always the write in Mickey Mouse for the extra balot items after you've selected the ones important to you
Take care.

[Bricklayer]

Re: Are you going to vote?

In my uninformed stupidity, I waited until the last minute to look up how to register to vote (though I would have to do the mail-in). Unfortunately, I didn't make the deadline for this election, so I'll have to wait for the next time around. Living overseas doesn't help the matter, though it greatly reduces the scope of influence the elections have on me as a citizen. Assuming I don't have to pay income tax this year, the only thing I would worry about really is foreign relations with Taiwan and China.

[Kitalrez]

Re: Are you going to vote?

Well, CNN has started posting results for today. All I can say is: wow. I did not see this one coming. I was sure we'd have 2 more years of complaining about the House ahead of us. Although, we probably still will do that, just about different things.

[Sabaron]

Re: Are you going to vote?

The way I see it, whether you are "voting for the lesser evil", not voting or voting for a party out of spite, you are exercising your right.

Exactly.

I always make it a point not to vote on the ballot squares that I have no clue on... These are usually Judicial Retainers and such things.


I prefer to participate in the system by making clear, logical statements toward a course of action rather than simply vote-and-forget which is what a lot of people do.