posted
Yes, I just chose that thread title to get attention. We haven't had a good political thread in a while. Thought it was time I started one.
The GOP has severely pissed me off. Bush was bad enough, but he was just one man. The Republican congress gave him everything he wanted, though, so I couldn't support them any more. I had some hope the Democrats might fix things, but they got control of Congress and STILL give Bush everything he wants. Then I thought, maybe Obama will be different. But the FISA debacle proved that wrong. I still hope he beats McCain, but I don't have much hope for what he does after that.
So I've come to a decision. My primary political goal as of this date is to escape the two-party system. Unless someone really catches my attention, I will no longer be voting for Democrat or Republican candidates. I am presently planning on officially joining the Libertarian party, and I will likely vote for their candidates where available. Failing that, I will vote Green, Constitution, any independent, or even write-in. But I will not vote for a GOP or Dem candidate any more.
I'm tired of voting for the lesser evil. Neither side represents me, and I'm done with them. I encourage any American voter here to make the same decision. If you want to vote "none of the above", this is the only effective way to do it.
Registered: Mar 1999
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Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
Unfortunately, this kind of apathy is the reason why voter turnout in Canada has been quite low. Truthfully, I had not voted in the last several elections, provincial of federal, on the basis that none of the political parties seem to cater to what I believe are priorities needed where I live.
Partisan politics is alive and well. On both sides of the border. And as you can see, either everyone else loses or gets pissed off with politics in general that they don't bother to vote.
As for this particular contest? I don't want McCain, and Obama hasn't convinced me that he deserves to be president. So here I sit with a harumph and a shrug and retreat to my hole here in the Great White North.
-------------------- "And slowly, you come to realize, it's all as it should be, you can only do so much. If you're game enough, you could place your trust in me. For the love of life, there's a tradeoff, we could lose it all but we'll go down fighting...." - David Sylvian FreeSpace 2, the greatest space sim of all time, now remastered!
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Aye, I'm feeling you mate. Totally agree on everything you said, especially about the two-party system. It's kind of ridiculous when you think about it, because in all honesty the world isn't black and white, there has to be some gray in there too.
For instance: I'm not cool on abortion, but gay marriage seems perfectly fine to me. I wouldn't belong anywhere.
Problem with the two-party system is that the GOP and the Dem's have all the money. It's almost impossible to set up another party with good funding for advertising and etc. (on that note, both Dem's and GOP seem to get a lot of funding from the big oil companies as well...).
I heard Bloomberg was making a new party though, just some hope to throw in.
-------------------- "Its coming on. I just saw the wall move..."
Registered: Feb 2008
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
I'm a libertarian, but not a Libertarian. I mean, I believe in small government and personal choice, but not necessarily the specific issues and platforms of the official Libertarian Party.
As for politics, mehhh. I don't believe anything changes on the whole. King or President, Democrat or Republican, it's all the same - people on the top ass-raping the people on the bottom. And could it be any different? Not unless we were other than - better than - human. Power corrupts, after all.
Registered: Jul 2005
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WizArtist II
"How can you have a yellow alert in Spacedock? "
Member # 1425
posted
I here now quote General Thade....
"KILL THEM......ALL!"
Seriously, I am a conservative myself but am PO'd at what has occurred in this last administration. But I like The Obamination even less. People have the mistaken belief that he will bring 'change' without really asking whether or not those changes will be good for America. ANYTHING that furthers government influence, and increases addiction to welfare will not be beneficial. It is also pointless to try to rationalize with an ideology that is hell-bent on the destruction of your way of life. That being the case I see no option but the lesser of two evils. And that royally 'pulls vacuum'.
I have said for several years now that I think there will be a second American Civil War and the way things are progressing and the way the American people become more and more polarized it seems to be a real possibility.
-------------------- There are 10 types of people in the world...those that understand Binary and those that don't.
Registered: Nov 2004
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
See? A conservative who doesn't seem to like government influence. Obviously not a Republican ideal
I'm irritated whenever someone claims any president will bring 'change.' They seem to forget the real power for change resides in the legislative branch. Sure, the president has some de facto power to influence the rest of the government (and Bush proved to me he can fuck with the rules a lot and nobody will do anything) but real lasting change of fundamental problems would really need a major law, or even a Constitutional amendment.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I don't have any problems with the Democratic Party, I just wish they had a backbone. They had a chance to challenge Bush's authority and really change our country's situation, but all they did was fall like reeds in the wind. They're also failed to do anything about The Iraq War and our over dependence on oil. And what ever happened to Osama bin Laden. It's amazing how they've forgotten about a man responsible for the death on 3000+ people. And today, I heard Al-Qeada are pretty much retaking Afghanistan. Damn it gets frustrating.
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
The problem with voting for minor parties is that, pragmatically speaking, they're not going to win. I have no reservations about predicting that Bob Barr will not be the next president of the US. Now, if doesn't matter to you who wins, then that's fine. Vote for anyone you feel like, and the eventual outcome won't make any difference to you. But, as I see it, there's a major substantive difference between John McCain and Barack Obama. If McCain becomes president, the country will almost certainly continue the way it has for the past 7.5 years. Some of the current problems could become all but irreversible, especially given the imminent open seats on the Supreme Court.
Personally, I find Obama's vote on the FISA Amendments Act absolutely despicable. But it's a single issue. I'm still going to vote for him because, if I don't, and enough people do the same, McCain wins. And then we all lose.
Idealism is great and all, but there are times when the cost of sticking to it is likely to be far too great.
"It is also pointless to try to rationalize with an ideology that is hell-bent on the destruction of your way of life."
You do realize that this country doesn't get targeted by Middle Eastern terrorists because we eat McDonald's and listen to rock-and-roll, right? And they don't hate our "freedom" (what's left of it, anyway). They attack us because we've been coming over and fucking around with their part of the world for the past ninety years.
I mean, by now, it's probably escalated to the point where even leaving them alone wouldn't fix things. But their reasoning was never "Hey, those westerners act differently than we do. This cannot stand!" It was more like "Hey, those westerners keep overthrowing our governments and taking away our land and resources. Let's go fuck them up."
Registered: Mar 1999
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WizArtist II
"How can you have a yellow alert in Spacedock? "
Member # 1425
posted
Islam is still a religion that says: "You are a follower of Islam or you are an infidel" And the result of the latter is not pleasant.
The strict adherents to Islamic doctrine will not be appeased till the entire planet is ran by Islamic governments and those that are Jews and Christians are no longer.
-------------------- There are 10 types of people in the world...those that understand Binary and those that don't.
Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:The problem with voting for minor parties is that, pragmatically speaking, they're not going to win. I have no reservations about predicting that Bob Barr will not be the next president of the US. Now, if doesn't matter to you who wins, then that's fine. Vote for anyone you feel like, and the eventual outcome won't make any difference to you. But, as I see it, there's a major substantive difference between John McCain and Barack Obama. If McCain becomes president, the country will almost certainly continue the way it has for the past 7.5 years. Some of the current problems could become all but irreversible, especially given the imminent open seats on the Supreme Court.
While true, it's also important to note that the President is not supposed to run the country single-handedly. It's not just the Presidential election I'm talking about, it's almost the entirety of Congress that needs to be replaced. We need a Congress that will stand up to the President when he's wrong, no matter what parties are involved. If you still feel the need to vote for Obama, you can still consider voting third party or independent for other offices.
Registered: Mar 1999
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quote:Originally posted by WizArtist II: Islam is still a religion that says: "You are a follower of Islam or you are an infidel" And the result of the latter is not pleasant.
The strict adherents to Islamic doctrine will not be appeased till the entire planet is ran by Islamic governments and those that are Jews and Christians are no longer.
But isn't that the main idea of all religions? They all claim to be the only true way.
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Actually, most religions are content to leave others alone if they aren't believers. They don't usually take up a combative stance toward them.
Believing one's religion is the only true way, doesn't require you to view a non-believer as the enemy. If that were so, we'd be at eachother's throats every minute of every day - but we're not.
Registered: Nov 2001
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
Yeah, only Islam hates other religions and wants to blow them up. *cough* Belfast *cough* Crusades *cough* Inquisition *cough* Puritans *cough* Sorry, bit of a sore throat today...
Registered: Jul 2005
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We haven't had a good political thread in a while. Thought it was time I started one.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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