Voting A Waste Of Time?

[BigFish]

I think it is. The popular vote means nothing........the public casts its vote and the sum total is not taken into consideration when all is said and done! Its the Delegates that those running for office need and one has nothing to do with the other! So you tell me where it matters if we vote or not?

[GattaFish]

Agreed,,, unless your casting electoral votes,,, It does give people the warm fuzzy though,,,,

[The Dad Fisherman]

It Matters.....

[gone fishin]

Casting ones vote gives one the right to bitch about the choice made. If you chose not to vote keep your yap shut or do something about it. (VOTE). Just my 2 cents

[wheresmy50]

Me thinks you're confused. All due respect, read up on pledged versus super delegates, and the number of times the electoral college has gone against the popular vote.

In short - yes, the popular vote matters.

I have to say that I agree with you that there are too many democrat super delegates. It's not too surprising when you consider that one of the key philosophies of the democrat party is that the people are mindless idots who need contant loving support from their government and as much help making decisions as is legal.

[Clammer]

It counts >. if for no other reason .. you made a choice ..win or lose ..................
I F #$%^&*( love it when I hear some one b itchin .. about this guy / this offical >>>>>
when I ask them if they voted [not who the voted for ] &&&&&&& they say no ...... I tell em you just passed up the greatest right we have >> go F #$%^&* yourself & vote on that ::

[FishermanTim]

I agree fully. If you didn't/don't vote, you don't have the right to complain. By not voting, you give up that priviledge.

I was listening to a talk radio show that was explaining that there are some states that are "winner-take-all" when it comes to delegates, and some are porportional based on the popular vote total for each candidate. I would opt for the porportional option so that you get a truer sense of the election process. Plus it would instill a positive competetive aspect to the election process.
(It would cause the candidates to spend ALL their campaign funds on the campaign, and not themselves if they decide to bow out early.)

[spence]

Originally Posted by wheresmy50

It's not too surprising when you consider that one of the key philosophies of the democrat party is that the people are mindless idots who need contant loving support from their government and as much help making decisions as is legal.

Yea, like decisions about women's health or who you can and can't form a legal union with

When was the last time you had a Dem sponsored amendment to the US constitution to restrict rights?

-spence

[RIJIMMY]

I also think you are executing your right if you choose not to vote. I dont eat at a resaturant if I dont like anything on the menu.

[BigBo]

Based on the most recent events of Romney dropping out of the running, I will not be voting in this upcoming election. I won't be happy, but I won't complain either. I would never cast a vote for a socialist.....eerrrrr Democrat, nor will I cast a vote for a Democrat in GOP clothing. John McCain will not get my vote.
I feel sorry for the younger generations to come for the direction this country is headed.
I'm done.


for the record; I did vote in the Primary on Tuesday.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by BigBo

Based on the most recent events of Romney dropping out of the running, I will not be voting in this upcoming election. I won't be happy, but I won't complain either. I would never cast a vote for a socialist.....eerrrrr Democrat, nor will I cast a vote for a Democrat in GOP clothing. John McCain will not get my vote.
I feel sorry for the younger generations to come for the direction this country is headed.
I'm done.

Yeah.. a pointless, endless war, a tanking economy, %$%$%$%$ty foreign relations.. we're in such a happy place right now.

[spence]

Bo, sorry to be so blunt...but this calling McCain a closet democrat is the most assenine thing I've ever head. Are you simply a sheep being herded by the punditry who's only motive is to make a buck from your sponsorship?

As much as the GOP was able to keep the whitewash on the past decade, their facade has seriously fractured under Bush's failures of leadership.

You have libertarians, isolationists, free marketers, evangellicals, Goldwater'ites, etc, etc, etc...all standing under a Republican banner and yet the reality is they would all likely agree on very little.

What is a Republican then?

-spence

[BigBo]

I never said Bush's presidency was a success.
I'm sure I can't define a Republican that would suit your definition, but IMO McCain is not one.
That's it. I'm really done this time with my assinine opinions. We can't all be as smart as you spence.

[spence]

That wasn't directed squarely at you, the GOP punditry has been pimping the idea all along in an attempt to derail his campain. I'm asking if you're simply following their lead.

If you've decided that McCain is certainly not a Republican then you should have no problem telling me what one is?

-spence

[Joe]

The political process is interesting - I watch and read about it, much like following a sports team - but I'm not a believer in sides. I think we're approaching endgame with respect to there being a political solution. I can't help but thinking that if you feel strongly about someone or something, you've been taken in by the Op-Ed pages of the New York Times or from listening to too much talk radio. You see the canidates together and everyone is buddy-buddy, they look like they are sharing a private joke.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Joe

You see the canidates together and everyone is buddy-buddy, they look like they are sharing a private joke.

Brilliant comment.



-spence

[chris L]

how many of you voters served in the military ? if not WHY ? If YES thank you brother .


voting is a right ( if you so desire to use it ) serving in the military should be mandatory .

[RIJIMMY]

I agree with Big Bo, 100%.
I am indepedndant, but lean convservative and more likely libertarian. Which many times my best bet is the republican party. I would vote for someone regardless of the party they are in if we agree on key issues
To me, a republican stands for:
Strong National Defense
Low taxes, small government
Less Fed Government, More State leadership
Less emphasis on "social" spending or governance.

I can't say thats all repubs or that our current administration is even close

I think McCains stance on Illegal Immigration and past history against tax cuts put him at odds with the conservatives. I dont see him as a conservative repub. If thats what the people want, they've spoken and thats who should represent the party.

[spence]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

I think McCains stance on Illegal Immigration and past history against tax cuts put him at odds with the conservatives.

No, it puts him greatly at odds with the protectionist wing of the Republican party, and somewhat at odds with those who share those feelings.

It aligns him with the President of the United States, who last time I checked won two Republican nominations.

-spence

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by chris L

how many of you voters served in the military ? if not WHY ? If YES thank you brother .


voting is a right ( if you so desire to use it ) serving in the military should be mandatory .

[The Iceman 6]

I love it when Spence gets fired up....

[spence]

Originally Posted by The Iceman 6

I love it when Spence gets fired up....

I'm just getting started



-spence

[Backbeach Jake]

Voting does matter. More people should do it instead of following like sheep to slaughter. Vote on every election day. You don't need to be part of any organization, you just need an opinion. I will exercise my right to vote until the day they plant me.

[Raider Ronnie]

I look at voting 2 ways.
If you don't vote you forfeit the right to bitch !
And I feel I owe it to all my relatives and every vet who fought (and died) for this country allowing us to live in a free country!

[Sgt_Nutz]

Don't think of it as a vote for McCain. Think of it as a vote against Hillary or Obama. More importantly look at the upcoming House & Senate seats.

[wheresmy50]

Originally Posted by Joe

The political process is interesting - I watch and read about it, much like following a sports team - but I'm not a believer in sides. I think we're approaching endgame with respect to there being a political solution. I can't help but thinking that if you feel strongly about someone or something, you've been taken in by the Op-Ed pages of the New York Times or from listening to too much talk radio. You see the canidates together and everyone is buddy-buddy, they look like they are sharing a private joke.

I read something once that said up until Clinton, it would be common for Rebublicans and Democrats to fight during the day and get together for drinks in the evenings, i.e. there was a lot of mutal respect.

Do you really disagree with my statement Spence? I thought that was generally accepted - seriously. Ok, take out the word idiots, and I really don't see how you can disagree with that.

So, if the democrat party thinks people are intelligent and are worthy of controlling their own destiny, why are there so many democrat super delegates (who are not obliged to vote with the people)?

[spence]

Originally Posted by wheresmy50

I read something once that said up until Clinton, it would be common for Rebublicans and Democrats to fight during the day and get together for drinks in the evenings, i.e. there was a lot of mutal respect.

My understanding is that this is somewhat true. It did happen during Clinton's tenure, although it was a mandate from the Republican House Leadership (Newt, Dennis or Tom ring a bell) as they worked to rewire Congress to build a lasting Republican majority.

Do you really disagree with my statement Spence? I thought that was generally accepted - seriously. Ok, take out the word idiots, and I really don't see how you can disagree with that.

It's generally accepted among right wing pundits.

So, if the democrat party thinks people are intelligent and are worthy of controlling their own destiny, why are there so many democrat super delegates (who are not obliged to vote with the people)?

Look at the GOP right now and you have your answer.

-spence

[Tagger]

voted in every election since I turned 18 ... people died for my rights . least I can do is vote ..

[GattaFish]

First for all for the record I hate politics and politicians.......

As far as voting,,,, and people dying... My grandfather fought in WWII.. In April my dad is FINALLY going to receive his bronze star for his service... A service he says was to let everyone make their own choice....

As far as popular votes vs electoral votes... Yes it is possible for a president to lose the popular vote and still be elected because of the electoral votes... Granted the popular vote is suposed to influence the electoral vote,,,,,, Personally I think it is the good 'ole boys club.... I also think they are going to pass the torch to McCain


but that is how it is,,,, Just ask Bush how he beat Gore in 2000

Not trying to stir the pot just stating the facts....

[wheresmy50]

Al Gore got all of the electoral votes for the states he won, and George Bush got all the electoral votes for his states. The Electoral College did not dissent from the popular vote. Bush won (mainly) because Ralph Nader did to Gore what Perot did to Bush Sr.; he stole a portion of the traditional vote.
Remember the Green Party?

Further, as a statement of fact, a higher percentage of the democrat vote in the primaries is out of the hands of the voters due to a high number of super delegates, i.e. those who do not need to vote with the people. If you like Spence feel this is some kind of accident, and the Party is not trying to take power from you, fine. But to Larry's original question - if you're a democrat, this is why your vote doesn't mean as much as it should in the primaries.