Raise your hand if. . .

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:31 pm

. . .you aren't voting in Tuesday's election, and you're mostly looking forward to Wednesday because that's when the political campaign ads will stop (there, I said it).

Okay, that feels better. Come on, Wednesday. . . :twisted:

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:55 pm

I'm raising my hand!

My news media class covers the MD governor's election A LOT. I didn't care for politics before I took the class and feel the exact same way now that I'm in the class.

One thing I can't wait for is when the annoying campaign signs that liter the roads are taken off and the annoying campaign ads on TV stop playing.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:35 am

How can people say they don't care about politics?

That's like saying you don't care about computers or something.

Politics effect every facet of your life.

I mean, it's okay to say you're too lazy to keep up with politics and participate... like most Americans... but saying you don't care is kind of silly... since it's one of the things that most effects us.

welch · Post by **welch** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:36 am

Oh now Jake...is this your first chance to vote? I remember wanting to vote in '68, which I missed by three months...back when the voting age was 21. I felt left out, and felt great when I could go in and cast m,y first vote. It meant being an adult citizen...

A vote carries weight. No matter what news and TV adds do, the vote is still a heavy honor. Same with serving on a jury.

I hope everyone finds a reason to vote.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:41 am

Skinsfan55 wrote:How can people say they don't care about politics?

Very easily.

And welch, yes, I think this is my first chance to vote but I'm not registered.

I think most/all politicians are liars and are in it for self promotion. In general, I don't like them.

welch · Post by **welch** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:49 am

Yes, Jake, this is the one chance you have to talk back to the booby tooby advertisements and sound bites.

I diodnt like the choice of Nixon, Humphrey, or Wallace in '68 (wore a button that said "strike three -- you're out!"), but it still a chance a to saomethig to the politcal bobbleheads.

ATV · Post by **ATV** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:12 am

Many (I'm not sure about most....perhaps) polticians are liars and believe in self-promotion. This doesn't mean you shouldn't vote, though. If what you say is true then people we revere like Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, were also scumbags (I would suggest they were actually not much different than politicians today)? It's impossible to take the ego out of politics. That doesn't mean that many or most of them aren't still trying to do good. I mean I hate Bush (whos administration lies more than any) but I'm honestly sure in some twisted way the guy actually thinks he's doing the U.S. a favor. It's up to us to decide which egotistical humans we elect to lead us. That's certainly the best we can do, for now.

tazlah · Post by **tazlah** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:01 am

Wow! I figured one of the best (and most patriotic) ways tp show support for your troops, who are fighting for democracy in a country that in the not too distant past held actual democratic elections where many people were given, for the first time in their lives, the actual right to vote, would be to exercise that same freedom and right on your own home soil.

Sure the ads are bloody annoying, but how wonderful to be able to actually have the freedom to choose your representatives in the government that makes decisions on your behalf, affecting you. Besides, if you don't vote, you have absolutely no right to complain when you aren't liking the way things are going. My 2 cents

Acquiescence doesn't change anything.

ATV · Post by **ATV** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:11 am

"...your troops, who are fighting for democracy in a country..."

That's not why they're there. Sure, maybe that's what they've been told (and what a small percentage might still believe), or what you've been told, but the reason they're still there is for this election. Sorry, but any opportunity we had to effect a positive lasting impact on that region has long since past (about three years ago).

tazlah · Post by **tazlah** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:15 am

I wasn't trying to make this a "war in Iraq is right/wrong" discussion; which is irrelevant. You can disagree with the war yet still support the honorable service-men/-women who are over there.

ATV · Post by **ATV** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:34 am

I agree. Who doesn't honor the troops, though?

I thought we were discussing whether everyone should try to vote.

Dangerfield · Post by **Dangerfield** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 3:43 am

This is an outrage....

Ironbrew...I disagree w/ literally everything that comes out of your mouth, and now you are proving how naive you are by advocating a philosophy of apathy.

Yeah...let's NOT vote....let's over-analyze how one (1) vote means nothing and all hide in our hermetically sealed lives rooting for the Redskins.

Up until now, you struck me as at least someone who was a "thinking man"....How could you NOT vote in this election, no matter what side you're on...it's extremely important that our citizens express themselves...........Jeeeeez Iron Brew!

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:33 am

If you refuse to vote, then you waive your right to bitch about the person holding office....in my opinion.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 10:31 am

Dangerfield wrote:This is an outrage....

Ironbrew...I disagree w/ literally everything that comes out of your mouth, and now you are proving how naive you are by advocating a philosophy of apathy.

Yeah...let's NOT vote....let's over-analyze how one (1) vote means nothing and all hide in our hermetically sealed lives rooting for the Redskins.

Up until now, you struck me as at least someone who was a "thinking man"....How could you NOT vote in this election, no matter what side you're on...it's extremely important that our citizens express themselves...........Jeeeeez Iron Brew!

Get real he asked a question or two and didn't answer it one way or another, in fact one member "raised his hand".
No one said not to vote, or to analyze anything - and the Redskins only come up in Presidential elections.

It you like the Political ads just say so you don't have to at like someone took something from you because they asked your opinion

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 10:57 am

Okay, this might sound a little naive, but I didn't expect my post would bring this many reactions. . .so I should probably explain myself. . .

I'll just start by saying that (and this won't surprise most people) my political views are not very mainstream. I identify myself with libertarian schools of thought, and more accurately fall into an obscure subdivision known as anarcho-capitalism. This means that I think that social problems ought to be solved by social (not political) means, and that-if anything-our government ought to be concerned with securing the rights of individuals.

In other words, there isn't a single candidate that I could possibly vote for (living in MD, anyway. . .there are 1 or 2 members of the House in total that I think are pretty good, but practically no one in the senate or executive branches of our government).

Now consider for a moment someone in my position. I actually believe that government interference in everyday affairs is practically, politically, and morally wrong. And, in fact, nearly every candidate campaigns solely on what they are going to do for you in your personal life. . .

So. . .what if you think that government interference in business only hurts consumers?

What if you think that our current wars are only hurting the people of our nation?

. . .and so on. I don't hold very mainstream views, and to vote for someone who does moral wrong would be a difficult thing. I don't agree with the 'lesser of two evils' philosophy of voting. But you tell ME who I'm supposed to vote for, especially in the MD race.

What I'm left with is the option of going to the polls and voting for someone who will never attain office--that is, a write-in for someone who isn't even campaigning. It's a bit of a tough situation to be in.

Do I care about politics? You bet! I read political and economic theory voraciously. I talk about it all the time among friends. I weigh these issues in my mind constantly. I love this country very much (it being my home) and want to see it go in a positive direction. But when you see that there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans, and that the system is set up so that no one else can be elected, there is little incentive to participate (and therefore show my approval of our government).

In the end, I agree with welch when he said that

welch wrote:I hope everyone finds a reason to vote.

I hope that I do too someday, but for now my non-vote expresses my political voice far better than any candidate on the field will.

In the meantime, you won't hear me bitch about whoever we have in office. I get along with all of my family and friends fine--I'm not "that guy" when it comes to politics.

But it was late at night (for me) and I felt like venting. Now you have the long-winded reasons for it, and I hope that you don't chalk my first post entirely to ignorance, bitching, or whatever.

I think that, if someone doesn't vote but only does so after having thought it out at length, there is some merit there.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 11:11 am

I'm voting in New York for Governor.
Suddenly, my livlihood depends on it.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:20 pm

irn bru, you read economic theory? kinda dry huh.. do you read it for fun? do you have sit downs in the nerdery where everyone brings there calculator and discusses whether the loss of alan greenspan to retirment will effect global economic trends and how the latest intrest rate hikes will cause inflation and lower housing costs but only in a short term? i bet you read ledgers from the turn of the 20th centery to get an historical context for emergence of the global economy.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:30 pm

I'm not voting on Tuesday. And I don't care who knows it. :wink:

But if none of the candidates tick any of your boxes, why would anybody expect you to put a cross in theirs?

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:43 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:I'm not voting on Tuesday. And I don't care who knows it.

But if none of the candidates tick any of your boxes, why would anybody expect you to put a cross in theirs?

the US democracy isnt about that anymore.. we have an entrenched two party system that will take decades to change (if that ever happens) so it is no longer about issues. the important reason to vote now is to balance the two so one never gets too much power. like a great pendelum. now, a great presidential candidate can change a lot of things in washington but the great ones tend to be shot. as for the upcoming vote, it is only to secure a more divided congress... one that wont pass every insane bill that bush wants passed. its a small step toward a larger change in washington

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 3:52 pm

TincoSkin wrote:
UK Skins Fan wrote:I'm not voting on Tuesday. And I don't care who knows it.

But if none of the candidates tick any of your boxes, why would anybody expect you to put a cross in theirs?

the US democracy isnt about that anymore.. we have an entrenched two party system that will take decades to change (if that ever happens) so it is no longer about issues. the important reason to vote now is to balance the two so one never gets too much power. like a great pendelum. now, a great presidential candidate can change a lot of things in washington but the great ones tend to be shot. as for the upcoming vote, it is only to secure a more divided congress... one that wont pass every insane bill that bush wants passed. its a small step toward a larger change in washington

Two Party Nightmare.

Push the Dems in Mid-term and run Bush out in 2008. You get the reverse of what we have now, the Dens will the congress and the White House. And the Blame.
If we researched our canidates and vote for those that stand for what we believe in, then maybe we'd have a goverment that didn't put lable on everything. Dems and Reps tow the party line because we vote for certain parties. I don't conplain when things go wrong and I don't stand up and cheer when someone I voted for does what I voted them in to do. I vote and that's about all I can do, other than learn about who I'm voting for.

There will always be a 3rd party (it'll have a different name every few elections but it's always one out there). If you count all of the Non-demacrats and Non-republicans, the dem & reps would probably fight it out for third. But we like lables, it's easiers My 2 cents

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:01 pm

nightmare is right..

problem is voting for a third party means nothing because the congress is run by the power of mass action. one guy who is voted into office as an independant isnt gonna change squat.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:38 pm

TincoSkin wrote:irn bru, you read economic theory? kinda dry huh.. do you read it for fun? do you have sit downs in the nerdery where everyone brings there calculator and discusses whether the loss of alan greenspan to retirment will effect global economic trends and how the latest intrest rate hikes will cause inflation and lower housing costs but only in a short term? i bet you read ledgers from the turn of the 20th centery to get an historical context for emergence of the global economy.

Yeah. . .that's it.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:39 pm

It would be wonderful if there truly were some honest trustworthy candidates out there..but it seems nowadays we have to vote for the "lesser of the two evils" - that's not a good way to have to go to the polls.

Dangerfield · Post by **Dangerfield** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:43 am

Why are you guys so focused on the candidates?

You'd be surprised how many cool initiatives are on the ballot every elction that most people don't even know about.

I challenge you IronBrew, next election, go to the polls, don't vote for a single politician, but really put some thought into the initiatives on the ballot that could make a local impact on your life.

We have so much power locally in our states, cities and counties to pass laws about taxes and quality of life issues etc...but we as a society never even really know that these things are on the ballot, and therefore just vote on the stuff we see on CNN...I'm telling you....check it out man!

Dangerfield · Post by **Dangerfield** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:05 am

TincoSkin wrote:irn bru, you read economic theory? kinda dry huh.. do you read it for fun? do you have sit downs in the nerdery where everyone brings there calculator and discusses whether the loss of alan greenspan to retirment will effect global economic trends and how the latest intrest rate hikes will cause inflation and lower housing costs but only in a short term? i bet you read ledgers from the turn of the 20th centery to get an historical context for emergence of the global economy.

This is a funny post......In My Opinion, or IMO, as the kids say.

Hey Tinco, not to coin a phrase or quote Shakespeare, but the phrase "Get The to a 'Nerdery' IrnBru" just flash thru my synapses....