Playful Political Poll

[ddavelarsen]

This is just for fun, don't get too carried away! I'll go first.

All votes are Private in this poll.

Edited February 4, 2010 by ddavelarsen

[ddavelarsen]

Just FYI - the third selection for the first question should have said "No - what's the point?" There must be a character limit, or I just goofed. Either way, sorry!

[FTJoe]

Just FYI - the third selection for the first question should have said "No - what's the point?" There must be a character limit, or I just goofed. Either way, sorry!

I choose the third - as an FYI - I do not vote as a matter of course. I have a long discourse on this elsewhere in the lounge. Basically I never felt comfortable for choosing the lessor of two evils or worse, thinking that a campaign promise is really a promise only to realize they were just another liar. I regret it sometimes with guys like Ron Paul, I think he's a stand up guy. Makes the last question tough to answer, took the third one on that as well.

Edited February 4, 2010 by FTJoe

[ddavelarsen]

I choose the third - as an FYI - I do not vote as a matter of course. I have a long discourse on this elsewhere in the lounge. Basically I never felt comfortable for choosing the lessor of two evils or worse, thinking that a campaign promise is really a promise only to realize they were just another liar. I regret it sometimes with guys like Ron Paul, I think he's a stand up guy. Makes the last question tough to answer, took the third one on that as well.

Oh man, I feel so much like you do! Politicians only say what they want your face to hear. I truly believe the only thing 99% of politicians work for is their own personal wellbeing. There are some good, honest, public servants out there - but they get swept aside for not playing the good ole boy's game.

Even so though, I personally believe voting is not only my right but a responsibility. We can't believe in our country or our Constitution if we don't actively support it. Taking that a bit further, I also believe that the status quo in Washington is not what the Constitution provided for. Even though those ... people ... take an oath to uphold the Constitution, I'm convinced that they're just mouthing the words when they take that oath; that they don't even hear the words they're saying. For sure they don't act responsibly to honor it.

So by Voting Incumbents Out, and continuing to talk the idea up to everyone who will listen (saddly a very small minority), I hope to begin to make a difference. When we start 'firing' those politiical rats who aren't doing their jobs on our behalf, the new ones coming in might start to notice - and take a slightly different tack. Eventually, and I think it would take 10-15 years if a strong grassroots effort took hold, we could turn congress over and have representation that was again acting like a democracy. So Mr Joe my friend, I'm gonna vote regardless whether my vote counts for anything, and I'm gonna try to get everyone who will listen to me to vote also - even if they vote opposite me. It's about the only freedom we have left and we'd better use it while we still have it - or that will go away too. (Okay, a bit dramatic, I admit it. )

Dang, look here. This is supposed to be fun and maybe a little illuminating and I just took off on my standard tirade! Okay folks, I'll shut the heck up now.

[FTJoe]

So by Voting Incumbents Out, and continuing to talk the idea up to everyone who will listen (saddly a very small minority), I hope to begin to make a difference. When we start 'firing' those politiical rats who aren't doing their jobs on our behalf, the new ones coming in might start to notice - and take a slightly different tack. Eventually, and I think it would take 10-15 years if a strong grassroots effort took hold, we could turn congress over and have representation that was again acting like a democracy. So Mr Joe my friend, I'm gonna vote regardless whether my vote counts for anything, and I'm gonna try to get everyone who will listen to me to vote also - even if they vote opposite me.

You make a convincing argument, and I believe I'm on the fence about starting to simply vote incumbents out as we may suck a few good eggs out the airlock as well. But I wholeheartedly agree, it's about getting the democracy back.

Back to lighthearted...

Thanx for the compliment in the other thread by the way. I have a heart, I will admit that much. And I'll bet its in much better shape now that I'm vaping.

[Derrek]

Hopefully soon someone will try to go for office that supports a republic and not a democracy to get our country back on the right path, when that day comes then I'll vote if I believe it to be true, but till then I will refuse to vote for someone or something that I do not believe to be true or right, whether it be president or mayor or even district judge. I wish that someone would stand up and tell our kids in school the difference of the two and actually educate them so that they don't just follow their parents vote and vote for one party or the other.

[FTJoe]

Hopefully soon someone will try to go for office that supports a republic and not a democracy to get our country back on the right path, when that day comes then I'll vote if I believe it to be true, but till then I will refuse to vote for someone or something that I do not believe to be true or right, whether it be president or mayor or even district judge. I wish that someone would stand up and tell our kids in school the difference of the two and actually educate them so that they don't just follow their parents vote and vote for one party or the other.

I had to look that up - I guess my teachers failed me as well. I see a reference to a republic being a state without a monarch, so there can be many kinds, islamic, socialist, communist, etc. Not sure which kind you are lobbying for that is not a democracy. just curious, not looking for a scrap.

[Derrek]

I had to look that up - I guess my teachers failed me as well. I see a reference to a republic being a state without a monarch, so there can be many kinds, islamic, socialist, communist, etc. Not sure which kind you are lobbying for that is not a democracy. just curious, not looking for a scrap.

More of one where our heads of state aren't lying to fill their own agendas like what we have now, or one to turn most people against one thing with bad news on it just because they dont want it in society (i.e. fda and e-cigs) and it doesn't matter to me if they are democrat, republican, or from another party. Just someone who is truly running for office for the good of their country and its people.

I do agree with the fact that there are many kinds of republics around, what I was getting there is from my interpretation of history almost every democracy has been led to a monarch or tyrannic form of gov't and my point there was to help steer away from that.

[Schizophretard]

I vote for Libertarians.

[ddavelarsen]

I vote for Libertarians.

Hard to fault that choice - pretty much Constitutional right down the aisle. There just aren't many Libertarians out there. Modern Whigs are a movement that might get some traction given enough time. That's one view that doesn't get me all riled up. But there aren't any of them out there yet.

I'm beginning to understand again why I find the people here so comfortable. We seem to have a lot of shared values. Derrek your arguments are well taken. Personally I really believe in democracy; but general human apathy can sure lead it to ruin.

[FTJoe]

More of one where our heads of state aren't lying to fill their own agendas like what we have now, or one to turn most people against one thing with bad news on it just because they dont want it in society (i.e. fda and e-cigs) and it doesn't matter to me if they are democrat, republican, or from another party. Just someone who is truly running for office for the good of their country and its people.

I do agree with the fact that there are many kinds of republics around, what I was getting there is from my interpretation of history almost every democracy has been led to a monarch or tyrannic form of gov't and my point there was to help steer away from that.

Gotcha - agreed. My belief is apathy, then anarchy. Things are going to start getting real ugly over the next few years.

[ddavelarsen]

Gotcha - agreed. My belief is apathy, then anarchy. Things are going to start getting real ugly over the next few years.

Well you're a real bucket of sunshine today aren't you?! Unfortunately, I see it your way. Dang.

[gnerd]

I'm a Whig. My voting criteria are:

1) Non-incumbent

2) Pro-gun

3) Fiscally sane

4) Socially moderate

[ddavelarsen]

I'm a Whig. My voting criteria are:

1) Non-incumbent

2) Pro-gun

3) Fiscally sane

4) Socially moderate

Best of luck with that one Bro! But I totally agree, and I think you're my hero for today.

For any interested forumites, Mike is the Iowa Chair for the Modern Whig Party. This is a man who'd rather never speak to another human being unless it's absolutely necessary. But like me, Mike believes it's absolutely necessary to take our democracy back from the status quo Good Ole Boy's Club in Washington. So he's stepped up - like he always does when it's necessary - to do what has to be done. Bro, you really are a hero and a good human. Even if you'd rather not be. My hat is off to you.

[Derrek]

Although i mostly despise politics and politicians, **** Cheney is my hero!!! I mean how bad a!@ do you have to be to shoot someone in the face, and have that guy apologize to you for getting in the way of you're bullet is just gr8!!!

[FTJoe]

Although i mostly despise politics and politicians, **** Cheney is my hero!!! I mean how bad a!@ do you have to be to shoot someone in the face, and have that guy apologize to you for getting in the way of you're bullet is just gr8!!!

That and order the deaths of many americans in the search of WMDs in Iraq, yeah right. Sorry, the guy was a douc- and was only successful because GWB is a moron. JMHO!!!

[FTJoe]

Although i mostly despise politics and politicians, **** Cheney is my hero!!! I mean how bad a!@ do you have to be to shoot someone in the face, and have that guy apologize to you for getting in the way of you're bullet is just gr8!!!

That is funny by the way, I just REALLY did not like the power behind the throne, he creeped me out. Just in case you couldn't tell from my rant. ;-)

And yes - still a bucket of sunshine Dave. I really am crabby lately...

[ddavelarsen]

And yes - still a bucket of sunshine Dave. I really am crabby lately...

Might want to adjust that nic level just a bit there buddy!

Not that you don't have every reason and right to be crabby when you wish. The world just keeps going further into the famous handbasket every freakin day. Doesn't matter which bunch of politicians is in control, either. They're not managing the country, they're taking care of personal business.

Maybe it's time for a peaceful revolution -- Vote Incumbents Out!

[ddavelarsen]

This is a bit off-topic -- doesn't have anything do do with voting at all, but I liked it anyway. Just another example of the kind of wishful thinking that floats around the web all the time. It just tickled me today, so I'm pasting it in here. Sorry about the goofy fonts, but I guess someone along the line really wanted to make a point. And I'm too lazy to change it.

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed.

Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.

Before me, I have two lists.. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening..

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. THEN EVERY YEAR THERE AFTER IT WILL GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WON?T GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.

Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China. I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bonne chance, mezamies.

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on List 2 its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra thousand tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.

Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska- which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come.. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.' Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought: Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.

To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic.

God bless America. Thank you and good night.'

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.

[FTJoe]

Might want to adjust that nic level just a bit there buddy!

Tough to do from zero...but I think I really need to vape more even at zero nic. My brain says I don't need to but my weight says I better do something, wonder if it makes me feel crabby as well, or maybe the weight gain is doing it, or maybe I'm just naturally getting a start on the grumpy old man bit...

[elem187]

Lame, you list the two largest parties, dems and repubs, but not the 3rd largest party in America: Libertarian party.

boo

[Schizophretard]

Dave, It would be awesome to hear a president say something like that on TV but it will never happen until we have a president that pulls his own strings.

[ddavelarsen]

Tough to do from zero...but I think I really need to vape more even at zero nic. My brain says I don't need to but my weight says I better do something, wonder if it makes me feel crabby as well, or maybe the weight gain is doing it, or maybe I'm just naturally getting a start on the grumpy old man bit...

You're probably just avoiding the meaning buddy, but I was suggesting you up that level for a bit! Grump old man - well, you don't have to be old to run that trick; just watch Schizo for a while! Personally I'm cheery all the time. Heh.

And Schizo, you are right. I don't think anyone in Washington is independent in any freakin way. It's a web of obligation and ownership, not a government.

Edited February 11, 2010 by ddavelarsen

[FTJoe]

You're probably just avoiding the meaning buddy, but I was suggesting you up that level for a bit!

Yeah - I did get it and ignored it...being grumpy and all