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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.
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Tennessee Democrats: "Vote [your name here] in 2012!"
This message last edited by Joel on 12/08/2012 at 08:35:34 PM
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Paul Ryan is selected as Republican VP candidate Legolas - 11/08/2012 05:01:47 PM 2016 Views
Personally? No, I'm not voting Republican at all this year. LordPerrin - 11/08/2012 05:18:06 PM 1003 Views
Ya know that narrative of the right getting further right is pretty ridicolous Isaac - 11/08/2012 06:43:44 PM 969 Views
it could possibly be the "all or nothing" budget fights and gay marriage among other things moondog - 11/08/2012 08:19:11 PM 1011 Views
Yeah, I forgot the Dems are very enlightened about gay marriage now for what? 2 Months? Isaac - 11/08/2012 08:59:17 PM 1080 Views
+1 - Great post! *NM* Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:32:21 AM 592 Views
We're on a roll here Isaac. I agree with you again. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:18:32 AM 1008 Views
yet despite that, dems didn't put referenda and push bills discriminating against gay people moondog - 12/08/2012 07:55:38 PM 1083 Views
They certainly have, they've just done it less and less recently Isaac - 12/08/2012 09:39:53 PM 963 Views
Fred Phelps is 82 Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:28:01 AM 901 Views
So is Pat Robertson *NM* Isaac - 13/08/2012 02:41:28 AM 573 Views
They're not enlightened at all. Tom - 21/08/2012 02:04:09 PM 1167 Views
Agreed, but ya'll continue doing it anyway. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:24:09 PM 991 Views
I dunno, but from my perspective (and this is from one who doesn't follow politics closely) LordPerrin - 11/08/2012 08:32:43 PM 1199 Views
People say it so much it kinda grinds into the brain Isaac - 11/08/2012 09:17:16 PM 905 Views
Thank you for making sense. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:01:53 AM 971 Views
voting third party is a good idea moondog - 11/08/2012 08:15:41 PM 963 Views
I'm sorry, but anyone that votes for Obama after the past 3 and 1/2 years is a moron..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:30:47 AM 931 Views
If you are proud of not voting, please shut up: The adults have a country to run. Joel - 12/08/2012 04:11:49 AM 939 Views
Candidates have to earn my vote - I'm not a slave like you to the 2 party system. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:24:02 AM 1103 Views
Who said anything about the two-party system? Joel - 12/08/2012 04:29:36 AM 896 Views
No offense intended, but voting third party is as stupid as not voting. Aemon - 12/08/2012 04:42:28 AM 1154 Views
I strongly disagree. Joel - 12/08/2012 05:11:52 AM 1016 Views
I'm with Joel on this. There's a big difference between voting third party and not voting. Legolas - 12/08/2012 07:31:29 PM 1059 Views
as the saying goes "the lesser of two evils is still evil" moondog - 12/08/2012 08:06:20 PM 991 Views
Nice asshatery. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 07:56:57 AM 1150 Views
Wouldn't you love to have a "none of the above" option..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:36:54 PM 910 Views
Or you could use a PR system and act like responsible adults. *NM* Stephen - 12/08/2012 05:47:14 PM 470 Views
Not voting sends no message but "we will let politicians do as they please." Joel - 12/08/2012 05:12:55 PM 1347 Views
Well there's a difference between not voting at all and not voting in one race Isaac - 12/08/2012 05:55:47 PM 1111 Views
Usually only in degree, not kind, though I mostly had the former in mind. Joel - 12/08/2012 07:27:54 PM 1051 Views
+1 - Good post. Joel is off the deep end, once again. *NM* Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 07:42:23 PM 601 Views
I hope that most of the disenchanted Obama 08 suppoerters feel the same way *NM* random thoughts - 13/08/2012 11:27:15 AM 456 Views
Oh dear. Stephen - 11/08/2012 06:26:07 PM 956 Views
I'm happy with it, I like Ryan Isaac - 11/08/2012 06:47:21 PM 976 Views
What a shock. Legolas - 11/08/2012 08:18:35 PM 1110 Views
Most Republicans are fine with gutting Medicare. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:31:03 PM 1210 Views
Everyone with an ounce of common sense is okay with "gutting" Medicare..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:37:17 AM 929 Views
The only thing bankrupting Medicare is unsustainable US healthcare costs eating 20% of US GDP. Joel - 12/08/2012 03:56:28 AM 1249 Views
Silly comment - 30% of Medicare is FRAUD.....and the program is fatally flawed. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:09:26 AM 1053 Views
So private insurance costs are really growing SIXTY percent faster?! Joel - 12/08/2012 04:24:49 AM 1070 Views
Medicare worked for 50 years and SS for 80 because most people were DYING before 65. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:29:26 AM 848 Views
Eligibility age for both must increase (SSs has, but not enough.) They are not "unsustainable." Joel - 12/08/2012 04:31:57 AM 852 Views
Medicare is 100% unsustainable in it's current format..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:36:13 AM 929 Views
[citation needed] *NM* moondog - 12/08/2012 08:09:44 PM 603 Views
Re: What a shock. Isaac - 11/08/2012 08:51:12 PM 1083 Views
ryan isn't going to help rmoney win wisconsin moondog - 11/08/2012 08:21:27 PM 1085 Views
Picking Ryan was an olive branch to the GOP rank and file. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:05:41 PM 1213 Views
definitely a bold pick but not going to help him enough in november moondog - 11/08/2012 08:27:59 PM 1028 Views
Since I forgot you asked Americans if it would change our votes: No, still voting Jill Stein (Green) Joel - 11/08/2012 11:07:12 PM 924 Views
Who cares? He's hot. Rebekah - 11/08/2012 11:53:42 PM 1180 Views
So are you a fan of David Cameron? Roland00 - 12/08/2012 12:12:50 AM 831 Views
Lol. Nice one. *NM* everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:22:01 AM 515 Views
I actually said, "He's not hot enough." Aeryn - 13/08/2012 01:15:58 PM 904 Views
On the plus side, you need not fear Ryans failure to mention abortion and contraception. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:17:45 PM 1105 Views
Tigr - 13/08/2012 03:31:38 PM 1040 Views
Legolas a question for you, what is your opinion of George W Bush Social Security Plans in 2005? Roland00 - 12/08/2012 01:03:24 AM 916 Views
Didn't know enough about them to have an opinion, honestly. Legolas - 12/08/2012 06:40:22 PM 1043 Views
Well Paul Ryan also had a social security plan in 2005 Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:48:39 AM 1043 Views
Wonderful choice! Truly wonderful.....check the video. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:22:48 AM 906 Views
Nice video. Legolas - 12/08/2012 06:52:59 PM 1004 Views
Can you explain your fascination with Ryans ideas, please? Joel - 13/08/2012 04:08:35 AM 974 Views
No, it doesn't change my opinion any Larry - 12/08/2012 07:50:21 AM 1080 Views
I hear even the DNC has rejected its TN Senate nominee. Joel - 12/08/2012 05:46:37 PM 994 Views
Yes, they disavowed him Larry - 12/08/2012 08:00:33 PM 1007 Views
Apparently the TN Democratic Party agrees voters should write in someone elses name. Joel - 12/08/2012 08:34:46 PM 972 Views
Does not work in the US Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:17:58 AM 948 Views
We do not need most of the populace to cast protest votes, only most voters. Joel - 13/08/2012 01:33:41 AM 909 Views
Your distinction misses my greater point Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:51:26 AM 951 Views
*shrugs* Vote absentee then. Joel - 13/08/2012 02:28:32 AM 987 Views
I was going to vote Romney anyway, so no, it doesn't change anything. Tom - 12/08/2012 10:39:15 PM 975 Views
But I'm guessing you're glad with Ryan? Prefer him over the alternatives? Or not? Legolas - 12/08/2012 10:49:35 PM 1124 Views
I disagree Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:52:07 AM 1000 Views
Bloomberg has imploded Tom - 13/08/2012 07:12:56 PM 907 Views
Bloomberg has become a national laughingstock. everynametaken - 13/08/2012 08:13:24 PM 992 Views
Not as much as either Obama or Romney, surely. Legolas - 13/08/2012 08:23:41 PM 985 Views
Makes sense for you. You are Romney's target audience. Aeryn - 13/08/2012 01:19:26 PM 921 Views
What should Obama have done? Tom - 13/08/2012 07:31:23 PM 971 Views
And how much of that do you expect from Romney? Joel - 14/08/2012 10:21:33 AM 1299 Views
Certainly more than from Obama. Tom - 16/08/2012 12:00:19 AM 899 Views
Mmm, Objectivism. Another reason for me to vote Obama. Ghavrel - 12/08/2012 11:00:34 PM 1077 Views
But doesn't he say he detests Rand? Stephen - 12/08/2012 11:53:47 PM 818 Views
No he doesn't disavow Ayn Rand, he still believes in her Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:15:34 AM 993 Views
Good to know. Stephen - 13/08/2012 08:42:22 AM 1001 Views
that is pretty mild of you campare it to the radical influence in Obama's life *NM* random thoughts - 13/08/2012 11:35:52 AM 566 Views
Ah, the classic "it is OK because their guy rapes puppies, too, even though he does not" defense. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:23:29 PM 856 Views
Obama doesn't have a history of openly endorsing the views of said radicals. *NM* Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:32:52 AM 608 Views
he has a much closer and more personal realtionship with radicals than Romney or Ryan *NM* random thoughts - 20/08/2012 03:54:17 AM 570 Views
Link to audio of Paul Ryans address to The Atlas Society. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:37:27 AM 1117 Views
Or you could have just read my response which posted prior to yours Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:45:07 PM 919 Views
Sorry, I completely missed your link. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:09:11 PM 1017 Views
Don't get me wrong Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:53:10 AM 933 Views
Actually I believe he promised to vote for Romney if I did Isaac - 13/08/2012 03:48:35 AM 1078 Views
What an amusing retrospective. Joel - 13/08/2012 04:20:02 AM 1087 Views
Uh... how exactly did you get to spending and budget timelines? Isaac - 13/08/2012 04:59:45 AM 920 Views
Tangentially, of course. Joel - 13/08/2012 05:08:18 AM 948 Views
I tried reading it again, but my eyes glazed over when you started babbling about lesbian covens. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:30:03 AM 859 Views
It was a hyperbolic reference to the extreme left (one stolen from Matt Groening, btw.) Joel - 14/08/2012 10:12:09 AM 927 Views
Interesting. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 11:34:30 AM 1015 Views
They have a pill for that now. Joel - 14/08/2012 01:14:39 PM 1058 Views
I'm pretty sure the solution is you learning elementary composition. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/08/2012 11:33:57 PM 598 Views
Your willful reading incomprehension is neither my fault nor problem. Joel - 16/08/2012 07:40:46 PM 1024 Views
I don't think you can succinctly do anything. *NM* Ghavrel - 16/08/2012 09:33:38 PM 605 Views
I just did. Joel - 16/08/2012 09:36:21 PM 982 Views
EDIT: ACK! Hoist on my own petard! Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:25:27 AM 932 Views
Disillusioned, sure. But I don't recall ever considering voting Republican. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:31:17 AM 1001 Views
No birth control, no right to choose, no planned parenthood? ironclad - 13/08/2012 01:58:51 PM 860 Views
They are really doing a public service that way. *NM* Stephen - 13/08/2012 02:26:39 PM 438 Views
I saw a theory just after the announcement speculating Ryan was chosen as a scapegoat. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:33:56 PM 1016 Views
I agree with your statements nossy - 14/08/2012 12:53:41 AM 1076 Views
It's mostly nonsense Isaac - 14/08/2012 04:46:11 AM 1000 Views
Well nossy - 14/08/2012 02:54:06 PM 1202 Views
'Nonsense' refers to the thing said about the religious right by the media Isaac - 14/08/2012 04:01:47 PM 1217 Views
I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word. nossy - 14/08/2012 06:30:23 PM 1257 Views
Re: I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word. Isaac - 15/08/2012 01:45:59 AM 953 Views
I have to keep this short, because I am on the iPad. nossy - 15/08/2012 05:38:48 AM 915 Views
Triple reply chain is usually a good point for the trim-edit anyway Isaac - 15/08/2012 05:27:20 PM 1092 Views
Or shows it's time to quit. nossy - 15/08/2012 10:20:17 PM 1403 Views
Agreed Isaac - 15/08/2012 10:54:05 PM 865 Views
The question, as for Tom, is what you believe Romney would improve for small businesses. Joel - 14/08/2012 01:38:29 PM 1031 Views
I am aware of that, thank you. And I don't distill my choice down to small business, either. nossy - 14/08/2012 02:24:24 PM 1076 Views
I see your point, but... ironclad - 14/08/2012 02:30:22 PM 854 Views
Well nossy - 14/08/2012 03:09:18 PM 1040 Views
Are you really going to let Obama con you into voting for him again? Tom - 21/08/2012 02:00:06 PM 882 Views
I honestly haven't decided. nossy - 21/08/2012 04:13:44 PM 1209 Views
Expanding our perspective does not improve our options much, sadly. Joel - 14/08/2012 04:23:48 PM 985 Views
None of that is that important. everynametaken - 14/08/2012 08:53:10 PM 1024 Views
Agreed. *NM* Macharius - 15/08/2012 02:21:55 PM 564 Views
Bullshit Tom - 21/08/2012 01:46:42 PM 1044 Views
This makes me more likely to vote R this year. Macharius - 15/08/2012 02:31:06 PM 940 Views
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