DANGER! - Political Thread

[headhunter]

Big election coming up. Remember to Register and to VOTE!

http://90days90reasons.com/10.php

Another reason I love MMJ.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

mmm, politics.  my favz.

[el_chode]

Now, more than ever, the Youth have no reason to vote. Abandoned by one party, and entirely ignored by another, it is the younger generation that bears all the burden and none of the benefit for one of the first times in decades.

That's my party-neutral platform.

The answer is not "don't vote", it's do what the youth did in 2008 and prove they are a force to be reckoned with by voting elsewhere. Libertarian, Green, Socialist, whatever...anything but the status quo.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Now, more than ever, the Youth have no reason to vote. Abandoned by one party, and entirely ignored by another, it is the younger generation that bears all the burden and none of the benefit for one of the first times in decades.

That's my party-neutral platform.

The answer is not "don't vote", it's do what the youth did in 2008 and prove they are a force to be reckoned with by voting elsewhere. Libertarian, Green, Socialist, whatever...anything but the status quo.

not until 2016.  can't chance the repubs pushing more shit like citizens united and shit thru.  ride out the next 4years then when people do not feel apathetic and helpless start the turn towards a more progressive third party.  the tea party needs to be checked then wrecked and run out of congress first before we can get a move on things.

[exist10z]

Now, more than ever, the Youth have no reason to vote. Abandoned by one party, and entirely ignored by another, it is the younger generation that bears all the burden and none of the benefit for one of the first times in decades.

That's my party-neutral platform.

The answer is not "don't vote", it's do what the youth did in 2008 and prove they are a force to be reckoned with by voting elsewhere. Libertarian, Green, Socialist, whatever...anything but the status quo.

not until 2016.  can't chance the repubs pushing more shit like citizens united and shit thru.  ride out the next 4years then when people do not feel apathetic and helpless start the turn towards a more progressive third party.  the tea party needs to be checked then wrecked and run out of congress first before we can get a move on things.

Sticky nailed this, just keep saying it.

The lesser of two evils really is much much lesser.

I support fully the idea of a truly progressive party, or system more like some of those in Europe, where multiple perspectives and parties all have a seat at the table, but that isn't what we have in this election.  Allowing the Republicans to win this election, who frankly aren't our fathers' Republicans anymore, but a bunch of radical theocratic fascist, bent on allowing corporations to dominate our democracy (sorry to offend any Republicans, especially any 'old time' Republicans who may not see themselves this way), would be pretty dreadful long term.

I see a lot of this these days, this equivalency idea - both parties are the same, they are just as bad.  No, they aren't.  One party will be significantly worse for America (unless of course you're stinking rich or believe that 'god hates fags'), and not voting for the only party available to keep them from taking power completely, isn't making a statement or moving us forward, it's cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Sorry for the politics, but I didn't start the thread...

[iLikeBeer]

I get the point about one party being the lesser of two evils, but I just can't get past the fact that they are both evil?!  I know the tea baggers are far worse, but the fact remains that until these two parties can figure out a way to come together for the betterment of the country as a WHOLE, it's we the people that TRULY run this country that will continue to suffer!!!

I'm so sick of hearing campaign promisses that aren't kept.  I'm sick of watching these politicians tell us one thing to gain our vote and then completely stab us in the back once they reach office like our glorious Gov. Strickland attepted to do here in Ohio?!       

I honestly don't see any hope on the horizon and I don't know what the solution is to fix this broken system that is our government.  I've become so disillusioned with the entire political system and I honestly have no urge to vote at all...

[Ruckus]

I hate donkeys and elephants.  Except for a handful of times, I haven't voted blue or red where a viable 3rd party candidate was on the ticket since I was eligible to vote.

[Jon T.]

Just let me say anyone that would vote for Obama is not a true American. The man does not believe in God or America !! If he is re-elected America as we know it will not exist. I feel sorry for our children & ESP. Our grandchildren!!!!

Mitt Romney might show more than two years of tax's if Obama would show his real birth certificate!!!

[Jon T.]

 

Both of these nuggets come courtesy of status updates that came through my feed last night.  Unfortunately, they are both from my aunt.   

[Devil Ledbetter]

Both of these nuggets come courtesy of status updates that came through my feed last night.  Unfortunately, they are both from my aunt.   

Oh dear. Her quotes are so loaded with logical failure I wouldn't know where to start.

What is a "true American"? Does it require belief in God? Just any God, or does it also have to be that one particular God on a Stick?

Also, if voting Obama and not believing in God means I'm not a U.S. citizen, then I should not have to pay federal taxes. I mean, Quality Americans shouldn't want my filthy atheist lucre going into the saintly gov't coffers anyway, right?

Facebook is painful right now.

[Jon T.]

Both of these nuggets come courtesy of status updates that came through my feed last night.  Unfortunately, they are both from my aunt.   

Oh dear. Her quotes are so loaded with logical failure I wouldn't know where to start.

What is a "true American"? Does it require belief in God? Just any God, or does it also have to be that one particular God on a Stick?

Also, if voting Obama and not believing in God means I'm not a U.S. citizen, then I should not have to pay federal taxes. I mean, Quality Americans shouldn't want my filthy atheist lucre going into the saintly gov't coffers anyway, right?

Facebook is painful right now.

It's embarrassing.  I try to stay clear of political debates and I don't really post a lot on FB, but when I see dumb shit like this, it takes all I have to not say anything.

[Devil Ledbetter]

I am pretty quiet about my politics on Facebook. I have strong opinions that no doubt would offend people I have no wish to offend, and meanwhile it wouldn't change their minds anyway.

[e_wind]

I see a lot of this these days, this equivalency idea - both parties are the same, they are just as bad.  No, they aren't.  One party will be significantly worse for America (unless of course you're stinking rich or believe that 'god hates fags'), and not voting for the only party available to keep them from taking power completely, isn't making a statement or moving us forward, it's cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Sorry for the politics, but I didn't start the thread...

I DO think that both of the parties have candidates that lean more toward the center, because thats the only way to possible persuade people to switch sides. I also agree that Obama is FAR less evil, and the current Repubs are gravitating away from the center and becoming terrifyingly radical (and fucking STUPID).

I also think a vote for a 3rd party is a vote kept from Obama, which is scary, and is why I'll vote for  Obama again, and probably vote Dem the rest of my life.

I support fully the idea of a truly progressive party, or system more like some of those in Europe, where multiple perspectives and parties all have a seat at the table, but that isn't what we have in this election.  Allowing the Republicans to win this election, who frankly aren't our fathers' Republicans anymore, but a bunch of radical theocratic fascist, bent on allowing corporations to dominate our democracy (sorry to offend any Republicans, especially any 'old time' Republicans who may not see themselves this way), would be pretty dreadful long term.

This is too true, and at times scary. What I think (and hope) will happen, is that all the people out there that are younger, like myself, will realize this over time and slowly the Dem side will grow, and keep them in power for long enough for it to matter. Less and less of the future generations are going to be uber-rich, and therefor (hopefully) not support the Tea Party psychos.




I'd like to see how everything would turn out if we did away with the electoral college. Theres no doubt that that is only reason any ones vote wouldnt matter. I know for sure that my state will go Romney, which discourages me from even voting (though I will anyway).

[ItBeats4Jew]

I'd like to see how everything would turn out if we did away with the electoral college. Theres no doubt that that is only reason any ones vote wouldnt matter. I know for sure that my state will go Romney, which discourages me from even voting (though I will anyway).
[/quote]


there's not even any campaigning in my state (only the largest state in the union by population!) because it will almost always be blue.  sure i vote that way too, but it would be nice if candidates came out here for reasons other than raising cash.  electoral college should've been scrapped after the bush/gore fiasco. 

[exist10z]

I get the point about one party being the lesser of two evils, but I just can't get past the fact that they are both evil?!  I know the tea baggers are far worse, but the fact remains that until these two parties can figure out a way to come together for the betterment of the country as a WHOLE, it's we the people that TRULY run this country that will continue to suffer!!!

I'm so sick of hearing campaign promisses that aren't kept.  I'm sick of watching these politicians tell us one thing to gain our vote and then completely stab us in the back once they reach office like our glorious Gov. Strickland attepted to do here in Ohio?!       

I honestly don't see any hope on the horizon and I don't know what the solution is to fix this broken system that is our government.  I've become so disillusioned with the entire political system and I honestly have no urge to vote at all...

This frustration is completely understandable, and I feel it too; however, it is important to recognize the situation of Democratic politicians.  I find it distasteful to have to defend them, because I don't think they defend themselves enough, or fight enough for what they believe (if they actually believe it), which makes it difficult for me to muster much support.  But, all politicians, and Democrats in particular, are in a position where they have to play to the fear of the electorate, have to take corporate money and appease the über-wealthy, and have to sacrifice their principles (assuming they have some) in order to even be elected.

Do I think all Democratic politicians are true populist who care about 'the people', the environment, minority rights, etc., etc., no - of course not.  Do they take campaign contributions, cede interest to lobbyist, and cave constantly, yes - they do.  But consider the alternative.  Without taking these distastful contributions, they would never get elected, and they would have no voice whatsoever.  If they implemented every regulation they feel would be truly beneficial, they risk losing the contributions of businesses that would suffer, and hence never being elected in the first place.  We're in an untenable situation, where money clearly controls everything, and as much as I would like Democratic politicians to stand up and take a firm position against this, that would not be wise.  If you don't like citizens united, if you don't like money determining elections, asking Democrats to take a principled stand against it would not be helpful, it would simply eliminate any small resistance they are able to mount.

Obstructionism also shouldn't be discounted, even the limited progress Democrats think they could make without serious donor or electorate repercussions, is blocked at every turn by Republicans.  Republicans who are true believers, Republicans who aren't acting because it's the only way they can get elected and retain any power, but because the have a system already rigged to favor their world-view.  The 'money is power' idea is not only what they believe, but what they embrace.

Anyway, this is just how I see it, and I'm no Democrat.  I simply don't want to live in a country where money and religion are held up as the ideal, the highest good.  If I thought not voting or voting for a third party would be helpful, then I would be the first to pull the lever, but I don't.  I will continue to support the only viable opposition to what I think is a frightening surge in conservatism.

[Shug]

I've thought, for many years, that campaign finance reform is crucial to re-establishing a democracy in our country (because let's face it, we do not have a fucking democracy in the US where elections are bought by special interest groups/PACs/the corporations behind them).  Making how much money you spend a non-factor in getting elected, in my view, is super important to democracy. 

[iLikeBeer]

GREAT point Shug!   

[Devil Ledbetter]

there's not even any campaigning in my state (only the largest state in the union by population!) because it will almost always be blue.  sure i vote that way too, but it would be nice if candidates came out here for reasons other than raising cash.  electoral college should've been scrapped after the bush/gore fiasco.

I live in a swing state (Michigan). While I can sympathize with feeling your vote is taken for granted, trust me when I say it's no picnic being "courted" by opposing politicians. My mailbox is crammed full of political crap, my answering machine clogged with robocalls, and you can't turn on the television or radio without being bombarded with negative campaign ads. It gets really old, really fast. I can't believe it's only early September. I am already sick to death of the whole thing. I think I'd like to take a sabbatical in some other country for the entire second half of 2016, but maybe I can get away with taking a sabbatical in a blue state.

[headhunter]

there's not even any campaigning in my state (only the largest state in the union by population!) because it will almost always be blue.  sure i vote that way too, but it would be nice if candidates came out here for reasons other than raising cash.  electoral college should've been scrapped after the bush/gore fiasco.

I live in a swing state (Michigan). While I can sympathize with feeling your vote is taken for granted, trust me when I say it's no picnic being "courted" by opposing politicians. My mailbox is crammed full of political crap, my answering machine clogged with robocalls, and you can't turn on the television or radio without being bombarded with negative campaign ads. It gets really old, really fast. I can't believe it's only early September. I am already sick to death of the whole thing. I think I'd like to take a sabbatical in some other country for the entire second half of 2016, but maybe I can get away with taking a sabbatical in a blue state.

I'm happy living in a blue state (new york) but my office is located directly across the street from the Headquarters of News Corp and Fox News and that presents it's own set of problems!  Right Wing Propaganda every day even where there is no election coming up.

[Devil Ledbetter]

I'm finding it very disheartening that my socially very liberal, atheist boss is voting Romney/Ryan because he's afraid if he doesn't, he'll have to pay more than 15% tax on his sizable dividends.

Worse, my socially liberal parents have read Obama's America (book the movie 2016 is based on) and somehow fallen for it hook, line and sinker. My mom was trying to talk me into reading it. "Everyone of voting age should read it! It will change the way you vote!"

Told her I had a teenage daughter: I can't vote for a team that thinks fertilized eggs are people and wants to outlaw birth control. What about minorities? Atheists? Gays? I asked her.

And she actually said, "Oh, all of that can be fixed later."     

It was all I could do not to stick my hand out and say "Hi, I'm Devil, your lifelong feminist daughter. I don't believe we've met."