Poll: Voting in the coming election

[Chewbacca]

I'm (getting) old-er (30) and will be voting, even though my state (every county in 2000) will predictably go to the Dems, My vote counts. Besides some of my pet issues maybe coming up on referendum. I'll never pass up a chance to let freedom ring.

[Yorick]

How is it that the "champion of representative democracies" can be filled with so many who apathetically or cyncically take it for granted? Really wierd. If people just got out and voted it would change the country.

Part of the culture of blame/power removal I guess. The: "It's always someone elses fault, and I can't do anything about it" syndrome.

[Yorick]

I spoke to a woman last month who was convinced "they" ran the world. Conspiracy theorist.

Why not turn that into action and go and run for government?

You Americans here, with your political agendas... Chewbacca... why not run for office somewhere? You're not a politician. You'd be great. Get a little internet support base going. (Ala Dean) Make a stand for all you espouse here. Make a difference - if only to get the issues you care about raised. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Cerek the Barbaric]

I'm also "older". Closer in age to skywalker than Timber (if I have read the clues correctly anyway ).

I WILL be voting in ANY election in which I am eligible. I am registered Independent (though I usually vote Repub because of their conservative values) so I was not able to vote in the primaries before. But I beleive NC has changed their law, so that means I WILL get a chance to voice my choice for the Democratic nominee. Right now, that would be Edwards. Not just because he is the Senator for my state - although I admit that probably has a lot to do with it - but also because I just am not "comfortable" with Kerry. I would rather see Dean OR Edwards either one, to be honost. But it looks like that won't happen. Still gonna do my best to change the tide anyway.

As for the upcoming Presidential election, I am not as convinced as the rest of you that Bush is automatic to win.

Just among my own small email group, I and another strong Bush supporter have enough doubts to be giving the Demo's a very STRONG look. I honostly can't say who I will vote for in November, but the liberals should take heart. Even some of us "hardcore conservatives" are becoming disillusioned with Bush's continued antics of hiding his actions or motivations. And he will only get worse during his second term.

Less than a month ago, I also thought the whole Demo effort would be nothing more than a spit in the wind gesture...but now I'm not so sure.

If a Southern Conservative can start having doubts about President Bush, there is good reason to believe the November election will be closer than most people expect.

[Timber Loftis]

Hey, quit slapping me about, guys. I'll monitor the exit polls on election day, and if it's close AT ALL in my state, I WILL go to the polls. I'm just telling you the likely factors which would need to be in place around 5 p.m. for me to hit the polls are VERY unlikely.

But, I'm not one to leave work early and "exercise my right to my voice" if it stand zero chance of making a difference. This is simply common sense.

I vote the person, not the party. I'll have to look at the Dem candidate and see how they stack up to Bush. Edwards seems sensible and I like some of Dean's policies (perhaps not his style though) and Kerry's the lowest on my list. I haven't decided whether I like any of them better than Bush, who IMO has made a few bad decisions but generally done an acceptable job of running the country.

I have been lucky in that during my life in that I don't think we've had a really bad leader. Nixon was out the door before I even knew what a President was, so Carter was probably the weakest I've known -- and he wasn't that bad. Reagan and Bush 43 threw our weight around too much for my taste (we've got the most power and really do what we want, but I don't like rubbing people's noses in that fact) and favored business a bit too much for my taste, but we generally prospered under both, even during economic slumps. Clinton was my favorite, and GHWB was probably second in my mind. There was a point in the middle of his Presidency that I didn't like Clinton (I voted him in but tried to vote him out vs. Dole), but he ended up being the best in my mind (Despite some doofus-level buffonery).

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

I think, if I wanted to get involved in politics, I would change my name to Screw You.
My numbers at the exit polls would soar, and people would soon think it fruitless to vote against me.
Hmmm... President Screw You. And the First Gentleman, Mike... Doesn't matter what his last name is. I always end up dating people named Mike.

In all seriousness, I would love to get into politics. But as my posts indicate, I'm more than a little 'strange' and probably wouldn't be able to find a place for myself outside of the Green Party. Ah well...

[Stratos]

Considering the Lewinsky affair and the new Kerry thingie, Screw You might not be a good name.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Stratos: Considering the Lewinsky affair and the new Kerry thingie, Screw You might not be a good name.

[img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] ROFL [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

[ryaldin]

Originally posted by Stratos: Considering the Lewinsky affair and the new Kerry thingie, Screw You might not be a good name.

Not true, Stratos. It'd be poetic. And when the public can't find a way to properly vent their frustration and express their opinions through the 'formal' channels of government-citizen communication, they can just mark 'screw you' on the ballot, as a way of showing just how much they really don't like the offending party.
Brilliant. [img]graemlins/cheers.gif[/img]

As for voting, I'm a 20 year old student, studying in Northern Ireland. I don't get back to the states until June-ish, and I've no idea what effort I will need to put forth, to register to vote, though I do hope to figure it out in time for this november's hopeful regime change.

[John D Harris]

I vote in every election I can vote in because it's my Right to do so. My vote counts because I have to answer for my actions, all votes count. There are a couple of reasons people don't think their votes count:
1) they don't understand the system, the USA is not a direct democracy, where the popular vote matters. In the USA there are 50 seperate elections, in each election the popular vote only counts in that election the winner gets the electorial college vote of that state. In early January following the general election of November the electorial college votes, and the President is chosen by that vote!
Solution to 1 learn how the system works and if you didn't like it learn how to change the system.
2) the person they voted for loses, or the person they want is going to lose so they are delusioned.
Solution to 2 understand the USA is a winner take all, if you lose in four years you'll get another chance. Accept your vote is your vote and move on, It's worked that way for over 200 years.