Apparently the TN Democratic Party agrees voters should write in someone elses name.
Joel Send a noteboard - 12/08/2012 08:34:46 PM
Still going to be deciding between the Greens and the SWP (provided it makes the ballot in TN this election), unless someone as deranged as McKinney leaves me with little option but not to vote. Already not going to choose a candidate for the TN Senate race due to the nutcase chosen as the Democratic candidate.
If only the situation from Saramago's Seeing could happen here this electoral cycle.
Recalling my exchange with everyname, however, why not write in your own or someone elses name? If the two major party candidates only got 30% of all votes, that would send a far more powerful message than letting them split 90% of votes only cast by 30% of the electorate. The former would demonstrate an opportunity for a viable third (or even fourth) option and show the major parties they must be more responsive (and responsible) to retain power, even releance. The latter would just mean Republicrats can continue doing as they please with impunity.
I actually inquired about that in 2010 and was told that the procedures involved for getting a paper ballot would cause a delay of upwards of 30 minutes. Things like that do put a damper on people doing that.
Yet another reason paperless "ballots" are so asinine. Why not just let Anonymous pick our "elected" leaders (or have we already)?
There is ample precedent around the world for casting blank ballots in protest. That still registers a political opinion; refusing to vote does not.
I see you aren't familiar with Seeing; that was precisely what I was referring to. Thought maybe Paul might get the literary reference
I am not familiar with it, no; I was reduced to reading Wikipedias synopsis. However, casting blank ballots in protest is a common enough real world practice, and far more effective protest than simple non-participation. Large numbers of blank ballots register popular discontent with existing government and available alternatives, as well as demonstrating a decisive electorate is available to new alternatives. That both encourages those advocating such novelty and warns current elected officials to get their act together lest they are all unemployed.
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
This message last edited by Joel on 12/08/2012 at 08:35:34 PM
Paul Ryan is selected as Republican VP candidate
- 11/08/2012 05:01:47 PM
1959 Views
Personally? No, I'm not voting Republican at all this year.
- 11/08/2012 05:18:06 PM
953 Views
Ya know that narrative of the right getting further right is pretty ridicolous
- 11/08/2012 06:43:44 PM
920 Views
it could possibly be the "all or nothing" budget fights and gay marriage among other things
- 11/08/2012 08:19:11 PM
962 Views
Yeah, I forgot the Dems are very enlightened about gay marriage now for what? 2 Months?
- 11/08/2012 08:59:17 PM
1034 Views
yet despite that, dems didn't put referenda and push bills discriminating against gay people
- 12/08/2012 07:55:38 PM
1036 Views
They certainly have, they've just done it less and less recently
- 12/08/2012 09:39:53 PM
922 Views
I dunno, but from my perspective (and this is from one who doesn't follow politics closely)
- 11/08/2012 08:32:43 PM
1156 Views
I'm sorry, but anyone that votes for Obama after the past 3 and 1/2 years is a moron.....
- 12/08/2012 03:30:47 AM
865 Views
If you are proud of not voting, please shut up: The adults have a country to run.
- 12/08/2012 04:11:49 AM
889 Views
Candidates have to earn my vote - I'm not a slave like you to the 2 party system.
- 12/08/2012 04:24:02 AM
1024 Views
Who said anything about the two-party system?
- 12/08/2012 04:29:36 AM
849 Views
No offense intended, but voting third party is as stupid as not voting.
- 12/08/2012 04:42:28 AM
1108 Views
I'm with Joel on this. There's a big difference between voting third party and not voting.
- 12/08/2012 07:31:29 PM
1019 Views
Nice asshatery.
- 12/08/2012 07:56:57 AM
1101 Views
Wouldn't you love to have a "none of the above" option.....
- 12/08/2012 03:36:54 PM
867 Views
Or you could use a PR system and act like responsible adults. *NM*
- 12/08/2012 05:47:14 PM
445 Views
Not voting sends no message but "we will let politicians do as they please."
- 12/08/2012 05:12:55 PM
1304 Views
Well there's a difference between not voting at all and not voting in one race
- 12/08/2012 05:55:47 PM
1068 Views
Usually only in degree, not kind, though I mostly had the former in mind.
- 12/08/2012 07:27:54 PM
1000 Views
I hope that most of the disenchanted Obama 08 suppoerters feel the same way *NM*
- 13/08/2012 11:27:15 AM
434 Views
I'm happy with it, I like Ryan
- 11/08/2012 06:47:21 PM
932 Views
What a shock. 
- 11/08/2012 08:18:35 PM
1066 Views
- 11/08/2012 08:18:35 PM
1066 Views
Most Republicans are fine with gutting Medicare.
- 11/08/2012 08:31:03 PM
1157 Views
Everyone with an ounce of common sense is okay with "gutting" Medicare.....
- 12/08/2012 03:37:17 AM
877 Views
The only thing bankrupting Medicare is unsustainable US healthcare costs eating 20% of US GDP.
- 12/08/2012 03:56:28 AM
1196 Views
Silly comment - 30% of Medicare is FRAUD.....and the program is fatally flawed.
- 12/08/2012 04:09:26 AM
1014 Views
So private insurance costs are really growing SIXTY percent faster?!
- 12/08/2012 04:24:49 AM
1002 Views
Medicare worked for 50 years and SS for 80 because most people were DYING before 65.
- 12/08/2012 04:29:26 AM
803 Views
Eligibility age for both must increase (SSs has, but not enough.) They are not "unsustainable."
- 12/08/2012 04:31:57 AM
797 Views
definitely a bold pick but not going to help him enough in november
- 11/08/2012 08:27:59 PM
981 Views
Since I forgot you asked Americans if it would change our votes: No, still voting Jill Stein (Green)
- 11/08/2012 11:07:12 PM
871 Views
Who cares? He's hot.
- 11/08/2012 11:53:42 PM
1123 Views
- 13/08/2012 03:31:38 PM
995 Views
I actually said, "He's not hot enough."
- 13/08/2012 01:15:58 PM
856 Views
On the plus side, you need not fear Ryans failure to mention abortion and contraception.
- 13/08/2012 03:17:45 PM
1043 Views
- 13/08/2012 03:31:38 PM
995 Views
Legolas a question for you, what is your opinion of George W Bush Social Security Plans in 2005?
- 12/08/2012 01:03:24 AM
871 Views
Wonderful choice! Truly wonderful.....check the video.
- 12/08/2012 03:22:48 AM
862 Views
No, it doesn't change my opinion any
- 12/08/2012 07:50:21 AM
1034 Views
I hear even the DNC has rejected its TN Senate nominee. 
- 12/08/2012 05:46:37 PM
952 Views
- 12/08/2012 05:46:37 PM
952 Views
Yes, they disavowed him
- 12/08/2012 08:00:33 PM
951 Views
Apparently the TN Democratic Party agrees voters should write in someone elses name.
- 12/08/2012 08:34:46 PM
923 Views
Does not work in the US
- 13/08/2012 01:17:58 AM
904 Views
We do not need most of the populace to cast protest votes, only most voters.
- 13/08/2012 01:33:41 AM
862 Views
I was going to vote Romney anyway, so no, it doesn't change anything.
- 12/08/2012 10:39:15 PM
934 Views
But I'm guessing you're glad with Ryan? Prefer him over the alternatives? Or not?
- 12/08/2012 10:49:35 PM
1080 Views
Makes sense for you. You are Romney's target audience.
- 13/08/2012 01:19:26 PM
873 Views
What should Obama have done?
- 13/08/2012 07:31:23 PM
924 Views
Mmm, Objectivism. Another reason for me to vote Obama.
- 12/08/2012 11:00:34 PM
1031 Views
But doesn't he say he detests Rand?
- 12/08/2012 11:53:47 PM
773 Views
No he doesn't disavow Ayn Rand, he still believes in her
- 13/08/2012 01:15:34 AM
947 Views
that is pretty mild of you campare it to the radical influence in Obama's life *NM*
- 13/08/2012 11:35:52 AM
542 Views
Ah, the classic "it is OK because their guy rapes puppies, too, even though he does not" defense.
- 13/08/2012 03:23:29 PM
815 Views
Obama doesn't have a history of openly endorsing the views of said radicals. *NM*
- 14/08/2012 12:32:52 AM
588 Views
he has a much closer and more personal realtionship with radicals than Romney or Ryan *NM*
- 20/08/2012 03:54:17 AM
547 Views
Link to audio of Paul Ryans address to The Atlas Society.
- 13/08/2012 03:37:27 AM
1070 Views
Or you could have just read my response which posted prior to yours
- 13/08/2012 01:45:07 PM
863 Views
- 13/08/2012 01:45:07 PM
863 Views
Don't get me wrong
- 13/08/2012 12:53:10 AM
883 Views
Actually I believe he promised to vote for Romney if I did
- 13/08/2012 03:48:35 AM
1029 Views
- 13/08/2012 03:48:35 AM
1029 Views
What an amusing retrospective.
- 13/08/2012 04:20:02 AM
1032 Views
I tried reading it again, but my eyes glazed over when you started babbling about lesbian covens.
- 14/08/2012 12:30:03 AM
814 Views
It was a hyperbolic reference to the extreme left (one stolen from Matt Groening, btw.)
- 14/08/2012 10:12:09 AM
872 Views
Interesting.
- 14/08/2012 11:34:30 AM
960 Views
They have a pill for that now.
- 14/08/2012 01:14:39 PM
1008 Views
I'm pretty sure the solution is you learning elementary composition. *NM*
- 15/08/2012 11:33:57 PM
578 Views
Your willful reading incomprehension is neither my fault nor problem.
- 16/08/2012 07:40:46 PM
975 Views
Disillusioned, sure. But I don't recall ever considering voting Republican.
- 14/08/2012 12:31:17 AM
954 Views
No birth control, no right to choose, no planned parenthood?
- 13/08/2012 01:58:51 PM
803 Views
I saw a theory just after the announcement speculating Ryan was chosen as a scapegoat.
- 13/08/2012 03:33:56 PM
970 Views
I agree with your statements
- 14/08/2012 12:53:41 AM
1021 Views
It's mostly nonsense
- 14/08/2012 04:46:11 AM
951 Views
Well
- 14/08/2012 02:54:06 PM
1151 Views
'Nonsense' refers to the thing said about the religious right by the media
- 14/08/2012 04:01:47 PM
1168 Views
I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word.
- 14/08/2012 06:30:23 PM
1203 Views
Re: I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word.
- 15/08/2012 01:45:59 AM
907 Views
I have to keep this short, because I am on the iPad.
- 15/08/2012 05:38:48 AM
860 Views
Triple reply chain is usually a good point for the trim-edit anyway
- 15/08/2012 05:27:20 PM
1034 Views
- 15/08/2012 05:27:20 PM
1034 Views
The question, as for Tom, is what you believe Romney would improve for small businesses.
- 14/08/2012 01:38:29 PM
982 Views
I am aware of that, thank you. And I don't distill my choice down to small business, either.
- 14/08/2012 02:24:24 PM
1018 Views
I see your point, but...
- 14/08/2012 02:30:22 PM
797 Views
Well
- 14/08/2012 03:09:18 PM
988 Views
Are you really going to let Obama con you into voting for him again?
- 21/08/2012 02:00:06 PM
824 Views
Expanding our perspective does not improve our options much, sadly.
- 14/08/2012 04:23:48 PM
930 Views