[CarneVaca]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

. If they feel that a candidate is a sure-thing to win (whether they're happy about that or unhappy about that), they feel it doesn't matter whether or not they vote.

Another thing I observe, is cynicism... "all politicians are crooks, who are out to screw the little guy."
So they just don't care to waste their time following the election process or learning about the various candidates.

Could the cynicism have something to do with the fact that all people get is pretty speeches every four years followed by total disregard for their needs? I don't see how what you've said above counters, or negates, what I said.

So I think if more people could be given a sense of hope, and if their interest could be sparked, then we'd have a higher voter turn out.
And I totally believe that this is why Clinton was so highly regarded, and is STILL so highly regarded... he very charismatically gave people something to be optimistic about.

I won't even take the gratuitous shot at Clinton this time. But, really, if this were true, shouldn't we see a 90 percent turnout in November? You're saying these speeches give people hope, but they're still not voting. Because it's all vapid nonsense, right?

I don't know too terribly much about Wellstone, beyond the fact that his untimely death was much lamented as a great loss, so I'm unable to point to any skeletons in his closet.

Mother Jones is a commie rag. I'll have to read that, Johnny.

Name me a president in the last 30-40 years who hasn't done something that we're still paying for today.
Even the "good guys" aren't perfect and make less-than-noble decisions sometimes. But out of the past half-dozen or so Presidents, Carter still stands out as a good man.

But that's just it, Johnny, a good man would not be meddling in other countries' elections under the guise of unbiased monitor. A good man would not be collaborating with the Bush spooks to get rid of the democratically elected president of a country. Do you think I'm making this up?

The point: Jimmy Carter could just retire and be done with it. But, no, he's out there pushing the imperialist agenda, working with the very people he was lambasting last night from the podium. YOU'VE BEEN DUPED!

I'm sorry... calling Lindsey your hero was based on interpretive license gathered from reading your various compliments and defenses of him over the past few years. (See, I told you that would come back to haunt you!)

Aaarrgh... Well, it could be worse. You might have interpreted that Stevie is my hero.