Lets talk...not politics.

[Robert B]

I agree that there really aren't any good choices right now. It really sucks. Luckily, where I live there are some other party choices on the ballot. I am hoping that enough people decide that there ARE other choices and start moving that direction. A lot of people will say that that is wasting your ballot, but if my opinion is expressed, it's not a waste.

I'm with you. And yes, I am sick and tired of all the hyperbole, mud slinging and distortions from both sides. We need a 3rd side.

 

[bassrique]

Ask that to ghandi.

Again, this thread was just asking who else is tired of people cramming views down your throat, not an argument about government and politics.

I think I'd rather have more of a UK styled [shorter] campaign. I'm "politiced out". If I foresee any "cramming" coming, I often artfully change the subject.

 

[Unrepresented]

Who benefits when people who don't care about government policy are guilt-tripped into the voting booth where their choices are necessarily made out of ignorance of the issues and of the candidates. We might as well put candidate names on a big wheel and give it a spin to see who wins.

You're right, we should start implementing literacy tests for voters and limit the vote to elites.

 

[santucci218]

Your point is noted. Mine still applies.

okay, to best answer your question, which was probably rhetorical...

I feel that the unspoken part of my country is benefiting. For those who do not have the opportunity, or chance to make a national change.

 

[TheDarkReaver]

i dont agree with that at all. just because i dont vote means i cant disagree with somebody's views and decisions? that means that you cant tell me you disagree with one of the people running when they say something you dislike.

Well you can but what did you do about it?

You don't have to vote for this guy or that guy. Spoil your ballot as a sign of protest. Sure it won't achieve much, but it's a sign that you give a damn.

 

[mvw356]

people died for my right to vote? WOAH!!

Does everybody hear this?

Hey guys, look at this!

This should be on the new!


</sarcasm>

anyways, quit cramming it down my throat.

so basically you want the electoral process to be like the choices you have on a mcdonalds menu with big pictures so you don't even have to bother to read. good luck to you......

 

[santucci218]

Well you can but what did you do about it?

You don't have to vote for this guy or that guy. Spoil your ballot as a sign of protest. Sure it won't achieve much, but it's a sign that you give a damn.

yes, i can. what did i do about it? I didnt vote for him.

 

[santucci218]

so basically you want the electoral process to be like the choices you have on a mcdonalds menu with big pictures so you don't even have to bother to read. good luck to you......

no, i want it to be like Burger King and have it my way.

 

[Trevorus]

Well, all I can say is that if you don't vote you can't complain. If you don't want any of the candidates spoil the ballot paper.

Part of the problem with this logic is that anyone can complain about anything. It doesn't matter if they tried to change it or not. If I don't vote, and the other guy gets in, I can complain, or if my guy does get in and he screws up, I can complain, or if I don't vote at all and the guy those people voted for screws up, then I can complain there too.

Here's another issue I have with the USA specifically and how people think of the system of governing. In the last 8 years, the President has gotten 90% of the blame, when Congress is just as much to blame for the problems we've had. But we don't hear too much about that. It's trendy to blame the President... It's gotten REALLY old.

Actually, that reminds me of a joke I heard today. If pro is the opposite of con, what's the opposite of progress...

 

[TheDarkReaver]

yes, i can. what did i do about it? I didnt vote for him.

Yeah but you didn't vote for anyone else either, or make any effort to take part in the democratic process.

 

[mvw356]

instead of wasting time here or at burger king take one! hour of your time and investigate the candidates. if you have half a brain that should suffice to make a choice when you are done.

 

[santucci218]

Part of the problem with this logic is that anyone can complain about anything. It doesn't matter if they tried to change it or not. If I don't vote, and the other guy gets in, I can complain, or if my guy does get in and he screws up, I can complain, or if I don't vote at all and the guy those people voted for screws up, then I can complain there too.

Here's another issue I have with the USA specifically and how people think of the system of governing. In the last 8 years, the President has gotten 90% of the blame, when Congress is just as much to blame for the problems we've had. But we don't hear too much about that. It's trendy to blame the President... It's gotten REALLY old.

Actually, that reminds me of a joke I heard today. If pro is the opposite of con, what's the opposite of progress...

Congress!

 

[santucci218]

instead of wasting time here or at burger king take one! hour of your time and investigate the candidates. if you have half a brain that should suffice to make a choice when you are done.

ooh baby i love when you stuff politics down my throat. Can you cram it a little more? Half a brain? Yeah! you show me.

 

[santucci218]

Yeah but you didn't vote for anyone else either, or make any effort to take part in the democratic process.

I agree, but that still doesn't mean i cant complain. People died for my right of freedom of speech!

 

[hbarcat]

You're right, we should start implementing literacy tests for voters and limit the vote to elites.

No, we shouldn't do that either.

 

[santucci218]

No, we shouldn't do that either.

lol

 

[Elrend]

The two parties in America are pretty damn similar anyway.

 

[santucci218]

The two parties in America are pretty damn similar anyway.

yeah! cram that view!

 

[Unrepresented]

okay, to best answer your question, which was probably rhetorical...

I feel that the unspoken part of my country is benefiting. For those who do not have the opportunity, or chance to make a national change.

a) Were you involved in pre-primary politics so that your choice for future leadership could be advocated? If not, it's not too soon for next election cycle. Apathy probably won't improve the outlook for the future.

b) Isn't a less accurate representative of your views better than allowing the risk of someone who doesn't represent them at all?

No, we shouldn't do that either.

Educate as well as motivate voting in equal parts is my solution.

 

[tplyons]

Politics aside, I respect anyone's right to vote, and anyone's rights not to vote.

However, I believe there is a civic duty to be part of the electoral process... the thing is, depending on how many people think like you, can sway this country.

Long story short, do as you please, just don't cram anything down my throat, and I won't cram anything down yours.

I'll be voting this year (and not saying who) but for me, it's more of a duty now than ever. I was unable to vote in the last election and am very unhappy with the outcome, and that's why I'm making sure to vote this year.

(I do agree with you on having "you have to vote" stuffed down your throat. At my college, we have an organization of College Democrats and an organization of Republicans. Each day, one or the other is in the student union building trying to sway us their way. I'm sick of it.)