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#1
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![]() What do you think is worse? Someone voting without having a real clue about what the candidates views & plans are, or not voting BECAUSE they feel they aren't informed enough to make the decision.
Ordinarily, I would say it's almost worst to vote if you don't know why you're voting for someone. BUT, the way things are now, I feel that the last 2 elections went the way they did because lots of people didn't bother. I'd rather have someone say "I'll vote for any democratic candidate" and do it instead of not vote at all. Of course, if someone says "I'm voting Republican no matter who it is" they can keep their ass at home. ![]() Seriously, though, how do you feel? And does anyone know of a good website that clearly explains the candidates' views on & plans for important issues? Anyone? |
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#2
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![]() Quote:
As for not voting, I consider that a perfectly legitimate -- & indeed sensible -- prerogative in a free republic like this. There are many reasons why you might not vote: disgust with candidates, accident on voting day, sheer lassitude. Voting is a right. If you choose not to exercise it, it's nobody else's business. That's my stand. Quote:
Them's my views. |
#3
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![]() http://www.issues2000.org/default.htm
This one is well organized, and provides you with links to the actual candidate quotes from which the analysis was derived. I've seen several other sites without supporting info. This is definitely shaping up to be an exciting election. I saw a report last night that because of the current primary/caucus results, it is mathematically impossible for the Super Tuesday primaries (Feb. 5th) to decide the nominee for each party. So those of us in states with primaries afterwards - TX is March 4th - get to keep thinking our vote matters! http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ate-math_N.htm |
#4
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![]() Yes, I live in Texas, and although I voted in 2000 and 2004, I never voted in a primary. Um. . . did they even have them in those years in Texas? Or were the races for the two nominations over by the time it got to Texas?
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#5
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I've never voted in a primary either - when I was younger I didn't understand them & that I could actually participate, and later I was one of those "any democrat" people. Now, I want to make an educated decision & I definitely plan on voting in the primary (or causus or whatever the hell they call it here.....) Last edited by skcin; 01-28-2008 at 03:54 PM.. |
#6
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![]() this is a really good question. ideally it's great to know all the issues and where the canidates stand on them. i think most people go on pure emotion - you either feel a connection to a canidate or not. i guess i would rather people vote then not vote at all.
maybe just vote your party is better than being apathetic. |
#7
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![]() The latter. Do not vote if you have no idea WTF you're doing. Our country is messed up as it is. Blind help is not needed.
In this day and age, it is very easy to gather information on the web (candidates websites are a good start) to decide which presidential candidate gets your support. Obviously they can only offer their opinions on current issues (things change as time goes on and when their in office), but you can also get a vibe as to their experience level since they began in politics and what time of choices they have made in the past. The one who talks the smoothest, looks the best, and has a nice smile is not a good reason to vote for them. But alas, I fear many people go off that superficial vibe in casting their wayward vote. |
#8
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![]() This questions more than the obvious IMO. People will vote for Obama because he is black - South Carolina proved that. I cannot say I blame them. Ditto for Hillary and women - the primaries are proving that. On the R side, the situation is the same. People cannot vote for a pro choice and/or gay sympathetic person. They can be down the line conservative in fiscal policy, but the loathing of anti-Jesus baby muerders and faggot lovers is too much to overcome. So, I think party line voters are in a little trouble in this upcoming election - or, at least in the primaries.
Personally, I think that anyone who things Obama can or wants to make significant changes is deluding themselves. His actions to date and the people he surrounds himself with in his campaign prove my point ( http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-t..._a_lobb_1.html ). But, he is intelligent, energetic, and inspiring, not to mention electrifyingly charismatic - so, I think people are beguiled by that. I am not saying I do not think he would be a good President. I think he would. And, I will vote for him against anything the R's have now. But, call it the jaded voice of experience, Obama's seemingly earnest claim that he is the avenue for significant change is bogus. Put it this way, since I have been alive, every single President has been the candidate for BIG change and the lobbyist still run Washington and Big Oil's a$$ is wiped by the Congress. So, I think both scenarios you posit will happen and they are equally was awful. But, it is what it is and in the end, you have to vote for the candidate you like. In this particular election, that will be divided on Christian, race, and gender lines - and IMO regardless of the actual effectiveness of any candidate. |
#9
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![]() Now. As much of a factor as it is, I really, truly hope that black people are NOT voting for him JUST because he's half black. I'm hoping that the women voting for Hillary are NOT voting for her JUST because she's a woman. And most of all, I hope that the white males are not voting for Edwards cuz he's the only white guy. ![]() Of course, we all want "one of our own" to succeed, whether it's someone of the same sex, race, from the same geographic location, similar backgrounds, whatever. But I hope people use that as a guide to help them START their research, not as the sole basis for their vote. If that were the case, I would have to vote for Hillary, the white female NY senator - but I don't know if I'm going to do that, because I haven't done enough research to decide. I don't think it's the right thing to do. I read something scary the other day in the local paper - there are many people (especially in the black community) who do NOT want Obama to get elected. Why? They think if he is, he'll be assasinated within the first year. ![]() My God. The thing that pisses me off most is that they're RIGHT! There really are people that ignorant & hateful! In a country that voted Bush in AGAIN, we expect everyone to be open minded & trustful enough of a BLACK man to allow him to lead & represent our nation? I'm worried. ![]() Strand, Tell me about the good old days, will ya? I'm too young to remember...... ![]() No really, I know what you mean. Every politician is going to promise change, better days, blah blah blah. BUT, the way you describe it, it sure bolsters the "Why vote at all? Nothing will ever change. They're all a bunch of crooks...." argument. |
#10
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But, I say voting is still important because of the "imagine how much worse it could be" argument. I'd take four years of Hillary and her "centrist" if not triangulation path over four years of any R out there. I mean imagine four years under Huckabee and his inability to sep. church and state ![]() I am just saying that people who think that electing Obama will result in huge changes are IMO misguided. Again, why would Obama have all those lobbyist working on his campaign? The answer is he will be beholden to them regardless of whether he took money from them. |
#11
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I think people who say such-&-such quality is "not a factor" in their decision really mean that that specific quality is merely outweighted by other qualities. Quote:
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#12
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![]() Quote:
Last edited by Dreamz19; 01-30-2008 at 06:34 PM.. |
#13
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