5 ms·

Find me one candidate that isn't completely full of s&%t, and maybe I'll cast a vote. Maybe one person that understands English enough to actually answer a ques

by mstefff 18y ago

Find me one candidate that isn't completely full of s&%t, and maybe I'll cast a vote. Maybe one person that understands English enough to actually answer a question in front of a camera. It's insulting. 90% of the population doesn't have a single clue about how the government runs, anything about the economy, foreign relations, what any of the candidates are even speaking about. It's a population voting blindly based on which TV shows and commercials they happen to watch. We have states that practically automatically turn towards a certain party each time. An electoral college system makes all of the difference. Overfunded campaigns that buy your vote like big companies sell you their garbage. It's a mess..

johns 18y ago
So don't vote for a major party or write someone in. If you don't vote, don't complain.
- mstefff 18y ago
  Yea, that makes sense. Not too good at math?
- deleted 18y ago
  [deleted]
- aquateen 18y ago
  Would you like to get shot in the head, or stabbed in the back? This is what I think of when I hear "don't vote, don't complain."
  - BigZaphod 18y ago
    How is that even remotely a valid response to that? Explain to me how you justify the attitude that not voting somehow means any of the rest of us should give a flying fuck about any problems you may have with the government?
    - aquateen 18y ago
      I thought it was crystal clear in the fewest number of words. I guess not... You don't have to "give a flying fuck" at all. But I don't think that, by not voting, someone's complaints are rendered void.
      - krschultz 18y ago
        Why? You couldn't find a single person among the 8 or so that are running for president you agreed with? Who isn't represented by a 3rd party - there is everything from libertarian to communist running on the ballot. Look beyond the front 2 parties if you don't like them.
        aquateen 18y ago
        Do you have the impression I'm not voting, or that I'm only considering the major parties? You and BigZaphod have a problem with addressing my point, that one isn't required to vote in order to voice a complaint about the election/candidates/government/whatever.
        krschultz 18y ago
        I have the impression that you are pompous and lazy. I'm driving 500 miles round trip to vote tomorrow. One of my room mates can vote 10 minutes away and he isn't voting. He agrees with Obama but he "knows he will win so why bother". To me it is a sign of disrespect to those who have died for the right to vote in this country, as well as a sign of personal laziness. In your case you seem unhappy with the choices presented, not the idea of voting. So I'm saying, there are many choices there and I can't see how you can't pick the one closest to your views. As for if you should have the right to voice a complaint. Well if you can't find a single party worth voting for, then you obviously have either a strong opinion that differs or a very weak opinion. If you have a weak opionon, then STFU. If you have a strong opinion that differs with every party such that you can not vote for a single one, but don't run for office yourself, well then you have no grounds on which to complain because once again, you are just being lazy in not running. Most of the 3rd party candidates aren't even running full time campaigns, but there is no reason you couldn't run. Seriously, if NJ Weedman can get a bunch of signatures and get on the ballot for his ideas, so can you. So not doing that, or not finding at least ONE party worth voting for says to me you are simply lazy or trying really hard to be a contrarian. Either one makes me contemptuous.
- Prrometheus 18y ago
  If you vote for someone that fucks you over, THEN you can't complain. After all, you voted for him. Non-voters have every right to complain.
  - potatolicious 18y ago
    On the contrary - if you vote for someone and then they go back on their word and fuck you over, you have every right to complain - the candidate committed what is essentially fraud, by bait-and-switching you on policy. Non-voters have every legal right to complain (guaranteed by the First Amendment), but IMHO do not have a moral right to do so. You refused to take part in the process, how can you complain about its results? Even if you tried in vain and failed, at least you cared enough to toss a piece of paper into a box. If you don't like any of the candidates, write someone in, or, cast an objection/blank ballot. Believe it or not, people DO track these stats, and casting a blank ballot gets you counted in the turnout totals, and would be mighty embarrassing if the winner won without even a majority.
deleted 18y ago
[deleted]
enomar 18y ago
So get off your ass and participate. If you're so smart help 4 or 5 people understand the issues. Encourage your friends and family to read, learn and think about the issues before voting. Don't just throw up your hands and say the system is broken; help fix it!
- mstefff 18y ago
  1) I'm not that smart politically - at least I can admit it. 2) Did you only read one sentence in my post before commenting?
  - krschultz 18y ago
    Yes, and every single one of them is a typical cliche "politics is so disgusting, I won't even vote" line that is so typical these days. I do not encourage people to vote. If you do not feel strongly to vote, thank you for making my vote count for more.
psyklic 18y ago
The best part about the elections is that voters GET an education about the issues by hearing the candidates. The education may be biased or somewhat untruthful, but elections actually let everyone know about the issues facing the country. I say that they make the populace much more informed!
jobeirne 18y ago
Ahem, Bob Barr.
- Brushfire 18y ago
  If only he didnt have that silly mustache. He looks like a pedophile. Oh well... I just voted for him anyways :)
shard 18y ago
His name is Michael Badarnik, and unfortunately he was the Libertarian presidential candidate in 2004. I watched a 8 hour lecture he gave on the legal aspects of the constitution. How many candidates can claim to be able to do that?

by mstefff 18y ago

johns 18y ago

So don't vote for a major party or write someone in. If you don't vote, don't complain.

mstefff 18y ago
Yea, that makes sense. Not too good at math?
deleted 18y ago
[deleted]
aquateen 18y ago
Would you like to get shot in the head, or stabbed in the back? This is what I think of when I hear "don't vote, don't complain."
- BigZaphod 18y ago
  How is that even remotely a valid response to that? Explain to me how you justify the attitude that not voting somehow means any of the rest of us should give a flying fuck about any problems you may have with the government?
  - aquateen 18y ago
    I thought it was crystal clear in the fewest number of words. I guess not... You don't have to "give a flying fuck" at all. But I don't think that, by not voting, someone's complaints are rendered void.
    - krschultz 18y ago
      Why? You couldn't find a single person among the 8 or so that are running for president you agreed with? Who isn't represented by a 3rd party - there is everything from libertarian to communist running on the ballot. Look beyond the front 2 parties if you don't like them.
      - aquateen 18y ago
        Do you have the impression I'm not voting, or that I'm only considering the major parties? You and BigZaphod have a problem with addressing my point, that one isn't required to vote in order to voice a complaint about the election/candidates/government/whatever.
        krschultz 18y ago
        I have the impression that you are pompous and lazy. I'm driving 500 miles round trip to vote tomorrow. One of my room mates can vote 10 minutes away and he isn't voting. He agrees with Obama but he "knows he will win so why bother". To me it is a sign of disrespect to those who have died for the right to vote in this country, as well as a sign of personal laziness. In your case you seem unhappy with the choices presented, not the idea of voting. So I'm saying, there are many choices there and I can't see how you can't pick the one closest to your views. As for if you should have the right to voice a complaint. Well if you can't find a single party worth voting for, then you obviously have either a strong opinion that differs or a very weak opinion. If you have a weak opionon, then STFU. If you have a strong opinion that differs with every party such that you can not vote for a single one, but don't run for office yourself, well then you have no grounds on which to complain because once again, you are just being lazy in not running. Most of the 3rd party candidates aren't even running full time campaigns, but there is no reason you couldn't run. Seriously, if NJ Weedman can get a bunch of signatures and get on the ballot for his ideas, so can you. So not doing that, or not finding at least ONE party worth voting for says to me you are simply lazy or trying really hard to be a contrarian. Either one makes me contemptuous.
Prrometheus 18y ago
If you vote for someone that fucks you over, THEN you can't complain. After all, you voted for him. Non-voters have every right to complain.
- potatolicious 18y ago
  On the contrary - if you vote for someone and then they go back on their word and fuck you over, you have every right to complain - the candidate committed what is essentially fraud, by bait-and-switching you on policy. Non-voters have every legal right to complain (guaranteed by the First Amendment), but IMHO do not have a moral right to do so. You refused to take part in the process, how can you complain about its results? Even if you tried in vain and failed, at least you cared enough to toss a piece of paper into a box. If you don't like any of the candidates, write someone in, or, cast an objection/blank ballot. Believe it or not, people DO track these stats, and casting a blank ballot gets you counted in the turnout totals, and would be mighty embarrassing if the winner won without even a majority.

deleted 18y ago

[deleted]

enomar 18y ago

So get off your ass and participate. If you're so smart help 4 or 5 people understand the issues. Encourage your friends and family to read, learn and think about the issues before voting. Don't just throw up your hands and say the system is broken; help fix it!

mstefff 18y ago
1) I'm not that smart politically - at least I can admit it. 2) Did you only read one sentence in my post before commenting?
- krschultz 18y ago
  Yes, and every single one of them is a typical cliche "politics is so disgusting, I won't even vote" line that is so typical these days. I do not encourage people to vote. If you do not feel strongly to vote, thank you for making my vote count for more.

psyklic 18y ago

The best part about the elections is that voters GET an education about the issues by hearing the candidates. The education may be biased or somewhat untruthful, but elections actually let everyone know about the issues facing the country. I say that they make the populace much more informed!

jobeirne 18y ago

Ahem, Bob Barr.

Brushfire 18y ago
If only he didnt have that silly mustache. He looks like a pedophile. Oh well... I just voted for him anyways :)

shard 18y ago

His name is Michael Badarnik, and unfortunately he was the Libertarian presidential candidate in 2004. I watched a 8 hour lecture he gave on the legal aspects of the constitution. How many candidates can claim to be able to do that?