Candidates voting etc.

[dantama]

I am not a democrat nor a republican, I vote for whoever is best, or will do the least damage out of two possibly bad choices during any election.

I listen to the candidates, I read critical essays and try to break through the spin and be informed. I might not always do an accurate job of seeing what they are really about, but I try.

I confess that I'm disappointed that people so readily pick a candidate as good for the country from only listening to one speech. Unless you are from Alaska, I doubt that you knew anything about Palin before this week.

Major party conventions are cheerleading events and are full of fluff and sound bites. Would you pick the college for your child to go to just by attending a pep rally that the school puts on?

If you study Palin and come to the conclusion that she has the fortitude to lead this country, and would do so better than any other ticket, then vote for her and vote your conscience.

But I'm amazed that people have picked her as a great leader from hearing a speech at a pep rally. Lets all do more to give serious thought to who we choose to lead us. We have lost a tremendous amount of our liberties and rights in recent years. Constitutional rights that are God given, not granted by a government have been taken away by our leaders. We torture people and many more things that when I was younger Reagan called Evil, (when other countries did it).

Picking leaders is an important obligation. Please don't make up your mind from listening to a pep rally. Give it some serious thought.

Just because I'm saying this doesn't mean I'm voting for Obama, I'm studying this further and will vote my conscience after a lot of thought.

For decades the "system" has been telling us how to vote, in that it's been telling us our only choices are a Republican or a Democrat. I've voted Independent or Libertarian every time since I've cast my first vote in 1974, and I will continue that way this year.

My wife has always claimed that I'm avoiding the problem/issue/responsibility of voting, by voting for someone who can't possibly win. She too has been brainwashed by the system that tells us who our choices are.

No fascist corporations or media moguls are going to tell me who I can vote for. No party wonks or old-line ward healers are going to tell me my choices. For years and years, people with the chains of the party faithful wrapped around their necks have been telling me I'm throwing away my vote, while they vote to keep their chains.

For decades people have told me they're voting for "X" because, although they don't really like him, "Y" is worse. They're afraid of what "Y" might do. They're totally indoctrinated into the two-choice-only philosophy that keeps putting the Quo in status Quo.

Everything in life is not black or white, but the Democrats and Republicans would love you to keep believing it is. They're on a century long date without a chaperone, and the shenanigans they've indulged in together fills books. And it's not a mystery. People know this stuff.

Yet every election the voters keep voting out of fear and misplaced loyalty.

It's time to really take responsibility for what's going on in this country and shake the trees.

Good thoughts dan. I'm on the verge of not voting. I was talking to my wife about it yesterday. I don't see how someone can lose a popular vote and still win a Presidential election. It really disturbs me. People keep ranting about how our country will go to hell if Obabma gets in. Is it not already there? Look at the last 8 years, how can it get much worse? I think state borders should be erased for a national election and one little blue vote out of Utah should actually count.

[blowndodge]

My take? Cadd has voted for the losing presidential candidate since 1974.

"I'm on the verge of not voting". ?????? That is your most powerful right in the constitution.

During the primaries there were lots of other candidates on all political affiliations, Libertarian, Independents, Greenpeace, Demo, and Republicans, Obama and McCain were the two left standing. What was not democratic about that?

When the people have had enough they will elect an independent or Libertarian.

I understand the frustration but it is what it is...... a democratic process...
Remember Ross Perot?? not a bad showing....

[pirate]

If you want to take the time to read some info on a candidate that I wish was still in the race, check out Ron Paul. He's all for getting back to the basics of the constitution: getting rid of big government, getting out of Iraq, and decreasing the IRS. I wish he was still in the race.

[gopjohnny]

I just dont see the "how can things get worse, the economy has been sound for most of the last 8 years, unemployment at near record lows, I have had 6 of the best years of my life in income, on the downside we were attacked, entered a war, and had a real estate bubble burst, and oh yeah oil went through the roof" Other than the war, NONE of that had anything to do with the President

thank goodness we don't discuss religion on here!!!

[ells]

Originally Posted by suennico

thank goodness we don't discuss religion on here!!!

Thank god! Oops

[skeeter]

Fox had a nicely done background on Palin. Another nerdwork had something On Obamas' roots. Everyone should Know McCains. Who's this Biden character?

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

My take? Cadd has voted for the losing presidential candidate since 1974...

Considering the long list of wieners America has elected, I'm damn proud of it.

But it's your right to be a sheep dude. Keep believing you only have two choices and you'll never have more.

This is some of the worse news in a long time: http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/mar...e-freddie-mac/

Words can't describe this. I'm so comforted knowing that the government is in control ::)

Remember when America tried to disassemble the monopolies? Instead here we virtually chartered one. (ummm....two) and they flopped.

[bobt]

Originally Posted by ez money

I just dont see the "how can things get worse, the economy has been sound for most of the last 8 years, unemployment at near record lows, I have had 6 of the best years of my life in income, on the downside we were attacked, entered a war, and had a real estate bubble burst, and oh yeah oil went through the roof" Other than the war, NONE of that had anything to do with the President

+1

Originally Posted by skeeter

Fox had a nicely done background on Palin. Another nerdwork had something On Obamas' roots. Everyone should Know McCains. Who's this Biden character?

CNN had McCain's background and then Obama's...Next week they will do Bidens and then Palins...or visa versa.... They were very good fair both the good and the bad...it was a CNN investigative report...they were on Sat. night and repeated Sunday night...same this next weekend with the Vice Pres elects

[rksaw]

Wolf,
I can understand your disappointment in how the elections went in '00 and '04 (personally, I disagree with you, but atleast I can understand), but I strongly disagree with your assesment that we should abolisth the Electoral College for the following reasons:

1) If we were to just adhere to a "popular vote", candidates would ignore the majority of our country and center their campaigns on only a handful of cities (NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Philly and maybe DFW and Seattle). To win those votes, rural America and the issues that concern them would be put on the back burner or totally ignored all together.

2) The country would lean toward one political ideal and party. The urban areas listed above generally are more "progressive" and to hold to a more "conservative" viewpoint would prevent a candidate from being elected if a popular vote won out.

3) Such a problem has raised it's head before. The current Oregon govenor only won 3 counties (two counties in Portland and the county where Eugene is located), but is in office because he won the popular vote. He favors the urban areas and didn't even want to campaign in Medford, but appeared only because a debate was held. Many rural area are in serious jeapordy and needing help, but their opinion is not considered when weighed next to the populous (i.e. elimination of fishing area to build marine habitat areas and non-proven wave generating facilities, preventing Liquid Natural Gas plant and container plant from being built in my area thus preventing living-wage jobs from coming to my area and maintaining a welfare attitude, etc.). Portland has received millions of dollars for it's light-rail system even over repeated objections of the people through votes.

4) The Conneticut Compromise was necessary to protect all Americans in smaller states (incluing Utah), and insure that their votes counted and thus decided upon by the founding fathers.

5) Finally, we live in a Republic, not a Democracy. We vote in place those who can best represent us and serve us and keep our needs in mind.

I hope you don't mind my diatribe.
Rich