American? VOTE!

[Tailgater]

The Democrats have the power in their hands right now to possibly change the course of history. But do you think even if the power shift goes their way, that history will be changed? (Do you think Nancy Pelosi is going to go down in history as changing history?) Regarding Iraq, which is THE singlemost important issue of our time which could affect possibly if you, your kids or your grandchildren get to live to be a ripe old age (instead of some WW3 statistic), the Dems don't really seem to have any better answers regarding Iraq than what the current administration has.

I agree. If they did, we would of heard it by now. None of the Dems can even agree on a consistent message. I've heard everything from pulling out to fighting a smarter war (whatever that is). Neither party is willing to rock the boat on most issues that are controversial and risk losing the next election. Easier to keep power by doing nothing and reminding people how the last party in power did nothing. You only see legislation that appeals to the special interest of the base (a lot that has no chance of passing, but it looks good), but no overall change for the country.

 

[hammegk]

That's funny (yet disturbing). In central Indiana, I think we had about 4k people who had moved or were dead voted Democrat last election. They have since added some safeguards like providing ID and workers crosschecking the lists of eligible voters.

That's the reason Democrats fight so hard against voter ID requirements. It makes their copywrited vote-early / vote-often machinations more difficult.

 

[Mephisto]

Easier to keep power by doing nothing and reminding people how the last party in power did nothing.

Unfortunately for the Republicans, I don't think anyone considers the war in Iraq, the money wasted in Iraq, the huge tax breaks for the rich and various scandals and security leaks amount to nothing.

I will agree with you that it's also unfortunate that we can only vote for politicians.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I didn't get to vote. My name wasn't on the list. The lady said she thought your name dropped off if you don't vote in a certain period of time. Thinking back, I suspect it's been close to 10 years (maybe more) since I've voted. There haven't been any ballot measures in that time that have interested me. There was one this time - Proposition #2 - which would have protected embryonic stem cell research in Missouri. I, of course, was voting for it. But they couldn't find my name. Then she tried to call election central, but kept getting a busy signal. Then she was going to have me fill out some sort of "provisional" ballot, but wasn't exactly sure how to do it. Then she told me I could drive to the Election Commissioners office, about 30 minutes away. I told her it wasn't worth the bother, so I left. I hope #2 doesn't lose by 1 vote!

 

[BPSCG]

Mrs.BPSCG kissed me goodbye this am, told me she was going to vote before going to work.

So I guess I have to vote this pm - cancel her out.

Actually, we're both going to vote against our scumbag congressman, but he'll get 60-65% even without our help.

And we're both going to vote against the constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. Hell, if they want to get married, what do I care?

We're diverging on the U.S. senate race, though.

 

[Mephisto]

That's the reason Democrats fight so hard against voter ID requirements. It makes their copywrited vote-early / vote-often machinations more difficult.

I'm a Democrat and I believe that voter ID requirements are as much of a necessity as having a voting machine that leaves a paper trail. I also advocate having a photograph of the voter on the ID - and poll workers smart enough to confirm that the person on the ID is the same one voting.

 

[Tricky]

I'm not a Democracy banshee, but I am going to repeat my wail about how the US should have a ranked voting system. Easy as pie. On your ballot, you vote for first choice, second, third etc. That way if your first-choice candidate is has less than some threshold percentage, your vote goes to the next candidate on the list.

It would prevent expensive run-offs and candidates winning without a majority. Of course, it will never happen because it makes it so much easier to vote for a third-party candidate without "wasting" your vote. Neither major party would dare suggest it.

 

[Upchurch]

I did my civil duty bright and early this morning.

 

[BPSCG]

I'm a Democrat and I believe that voter ID requirements are as much of a necessity as having a voting machine that leaves a paper trail. I also advocate having a photograph of the voter on the ID - and poll workers smart enough to confirm that the person on the ID is the same one voting.

Okay, who the @#$% are you, and what did you do with Mephisto?

 

[Darth Rotor]

A question; we have separation of Church and State, so why is my polling place in a Catholic Church? Could this affect my vote? Let’s say there is a vote on abortion. I have to walk past a 20 foot high cross to cast my vote.

WWJD.

He's not wet his pants in indecision over something so trivial. No one is asking you to attend Mass, nor to put money in the collection plate, but to come to a well ventilated, easy to spot building and vote.

If the location effects your vote, your vote is "a ballot, cast by an idiot, purest wasted paper, signifying nothing."

DR

 

[Darth Rotor]

We're diverging on the U.S. senate race, though.

Jim Webb's a leader, not afraid to speak the inconvenient truth. George Allen bought and paid for.

Who do you want serving you in the Senate?

DR

 

[BPSCG]

I'm not a Democracy banshee, but I am going to repeat my wail about how the US should have a ranked voting system. Easy as pie. On your ballot, you vote for first choice, second, third etc.

Easy as pie, my left buttock.

"Okay, he filled in the circle correctly next to Slimeworth as his first choice. Now, for his second choice, did he mark Phlegmsnot? Or was that just a stray ink blob? And he punched out the circles next to Greasepalm and Sturdley..."

 

[Upchurch]

A question; we have separation of Church and State, so why is my polling place in a Catholic Church?

My polling place was in the rec room of a old folks home. Subtle influence towards social security?

Could this affect my vote?

Has it?

 

[Darth Rotor]

The Democrats have the power in their hands right now to possibly change the course of history.

ROFLMAO.

That's a modest overstatement, please stop watching Short Attention Span News. This election isn't that important, nor is history beholden to who has which house in 2006. History takes a bit more impact energy than an off year election to change its course and speed.

DR

 

[Tailgater]

Unfortunately for the Republicans, I don't think anyone considers the war in Iraq, the money wasted in Iraq, the huge tax breaks for the rich and various scandals and security leaks amount to nothing.

I will agree with you that it's also unfortunate that we can only vote for politicians.

Getting in to Iraq, I blame on both parties. They all voted for it. Bush led it, so he can accept most of it. War=money spent. The tax breaks have helped my business and allowed me to hire an extra person to help at the office, and my ex-sister in law got more back than she paid in taxes for being a waste of space. The economy looks good from where I'm standing. I've seen it a lot worse. I lost tons of money at the end of the .com boom adn I'm slowly climbing back. I'm pissed that this administration is not the fiscal conservatives they promised to be. Scandals? It's been non-stop scandals since this country was founded from every side. What security leaks are you refering too? That can pretty much be under the same category as scandals. I know you hate Republicans, but a lot of what you preach is done on both sides (and that does not mean it is more or less acceptable). And if we had a third party that had their hands in the cookie jar long enough, they would be the same way.

 

[KingMerv00]

Sorry, I am not going out to vote today, and yes, I am an American.

I don't plan to vote at all.

And yes I have a right to complain. I am complaining that there is no one worth voting for. I hope you suckers enjoy voting for the lesser of two evils instead of someone you actually believe in.

 

[Tricky]

Easy as pie, my left buttock.

"Okay, he filled in the circle correctly next to Slimeworth as his first choice. Now, for his second choice, did he mark Phlegmsnot? Or was that just a stray ink blob? And he punched out the circles next to Greasepalm and Sturdley..."

Okay. Easy in first-world countries.

None of the problems you suggest are any different that problems that would occur on a non-ranked ballot.

 

[Darth Rotor]

I don't plan to vote at all.

And yes I have a right to complain. I am complaining that there is no one worth voting for. I hope you suckers enjoy voting for the lesser of two evils instead of someone you actually believe in.

By your non participation you condone what is done to you by those who give enough of a sh** to go out and vote.

No, you don't have a right to complain beyond the reasoned complaint, that I share with you, of there rarely being a decent third choice.

What is wrong in your area, no local races? We had dozens of names on the ballot, and plenty of Libertarians and independents to vote for, in protest if nothing else. (Of course, in Texas, we vote for some judge positions, which is not true in all places.)

DR

 

[BPSCG]

Jim Webb's a leader, not afraid to speak the inconvenient truth. George Allen bought and paid for.

Who do you want serving you in the Senate?

DR

Yeah, I read your earlier post about Webb, and the part about character mattering genuinely made me stop and think about it. After all, that was the line so many Republicans used against Clinton. Why shouldn't it work both ways?

The problem is, once you get elected you're bought and paid for, no matter who you are; arguably, you wouldn't even get nominated if you weren't bought and paid for. Someone here observed you can already see the process working on Barack Obama. Would Webb be any different? In the case of Clinton, it wasn't so much that character mattered, but rather that a complete lack of character - or, perhaps more accurately, principles - mattered.

I have to admit, I have a certain respect for Webb; he has a very good resume, and I respect his campaigning, in that he's at the very least, kept his distance from the mudslinging. That having been said, I see Allen more in line with me on the issues that matter, and I don't see his being "bought and paid for" to make him significantly different from 99 other senators, including the famously independent John McCain.

A ringing endorsement? No. And it's conceiveable I could change my mind between now and this afternoon.

 

[BPSCG]

Okay. Easy in first-world countries.

Does Florida count?

None of the problems you suggest are any different that problems that would occur on a non-ranked ballot.

Except that they would triple the counting problems.

Is that a vote, or a coffee stain?
Oops. He voted for four candidates.