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Your distinction misses my greater point Roland00 Send a noteboard - 13/08/2012 01:51:26 AM
In the US you are not required to vote. Thus you will not get 10% of the population let alone 30% to "waste" their time to do a protest vote.

Protests votes for third party candidates work in some other countries for some other countries require mandatory voting.

That would be sufficient whether we are talking about 200 million voters or 200. If anything, less turnout makes it more potent, because lower turnout adds weight to every vote cast, even non-votes. The problem in the US is that the absence of a "none" option restricts protest votes to either truly blank ballots or marking multiple choices, and the resulting under/overvotes are dismissed as human error even when a disproportionatly large share of the total.


You are not going to find 5% of any voter population who is going to waste an hour of their life to do a protest vote.
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Paul Ryan is selected as Republican VP candidate Legolas - 11/08/2012 05:01:47 PM 2042 Views
Personally? No, I'm not voting Republican at all this year. LordPerrin - 11/08/2012 05:18:06 PM 1020 Views
Ya know that narrative of the right getting further right is pretty ridicolous Isaac - 11/08/2012 06:43:44 PM 989 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 1029 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 1096 Views
+1 - Great post! *NM* Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:32:21 AM 601 Views
We're on a roll here Isaac. I agree with you again. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:18:32 AM 1029 Views
yet despite that, dems didn't put referenda and push bills discriminating against gay people moondog - 12/08/2012 07:55:38 PM 1102 Views
They certainly have, they've just done it less and less recently Isaac - 12/08/2012 09:39:53 PM 983 Views
Fred Phelps is 82 Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:28:01 AM 923 Views
So is Pat Robertson *NM* Isaac - 13/08/2012 02:41:28 AM 579 Views
They're not enlightened at all. Tom - 21/08/2012 02:04:09 PM 1184 Views
Agreed, but ya'll continue doing it anyway. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:24:09 PM 1011 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 1218 Views
People say it so much it kinda grinds into the brain Isaac - 11/08/2012 09:17:16 PM 922 Views
Thank you for making sense. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:01:53 AM 985 Views
voting third party is a good idea moondog - 11/08/2012 08:15:41 PM 986 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 953 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 954 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 1119 Views
Who said anything about the two-party system? Joel - 12/08/2012 04:29:36 AM 917 Views
No offense intended, but voting third party is as stupid as not voting. Aemon - 12/08/2012 04:42:28 AM 1170 Views
I strongly disagree. Joel - 12/08/2012 05:11:52 AM 1032 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 1078 Views
as the saying goes "the lesser of two evils is still evil" moondog - 12/08/2012 08:06:20 PM 1010 Views
Nice asshatery. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 07:56:57 AM 1168 Views
Wouldn't you love to have a "none of the above" option..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:36:54 PM 937 Views
Or you could use a PR system and act like responsible adults. *NM* Stephen - 12/08/2012 05:47:14 PM 480 Views
Not voting sends no message but "we will let politicians do as they please." Joel - 12/08/2012 05:12:55 PM 1370 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 1128 Views
Usually only in degree, not kind, though I mostly had the former in mind. Joel - 12/08/2012 07:27:54 PM 1072 Views
+1 - Good post. Joel is off the deep end, once again. *NM* Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 07:42:23 PM 610 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 465 Views
Oh dear. Stephen - 11/08/2012 06:26:07 PM 979 Views
I'm happy with it, I like Ryan Isaac - 11/08/2012 06:47:21 PM 996 Views
What a shock. Legolas - 11/08/2012 08:18:35 PM 1128 Views
Most Republicans are fine with gutting Medicare. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:31:03 PM 1235 Views
Everyone with an ounce of common sense is okay with "gutting" Medicare..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:37:17 AM 947 Views
The only thing bankrupting Medicare is unsustainable US healthcare costs eating 20% of US GDP. Joel - 12/08/2012 03:56:28 AM 1276 Views
Silly comment - 30% of Medicare is FRAUD.....and the program is fatally flawed. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:09:26 AM 1072 Views
So private insurance costs are really growing SIXTY percent faster?! Joel - 12/08/2012 04:24:49 AM 1092 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 866 Views
Eligibility age for both must increase (SSs has, but not enough.) They are not "unsustainable." Joel - 12/08/2012 04:31:57 AM 871 Views
Medicare is 100% unsustainable in it's current format..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:36:13 AM 945 Views
[citation needed] *NM* moondog - 12/08/2012 08:09:44 PM 612 Views
Re: What a shock. Isaac - 11/08/2012 08:51:12 PM 1098 Views
ryan isn't going to help rmoney win wisconsin moondog - 11/08/2012 08:21:27 PM 1115 Views
Picking Ryan was an olive branch to the GOP rank and file. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:05:41 PM 1235 Views
definitely a bold pick but not going to help him enough in november moondog - 11/08/2012 08:27:59 PM 1045 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 942 Views
Who cares? He's hot. Rebekah - 11/08/2012 11:53:42 PM 1199 Views
So are you a fan of David Cameron? Roland00 - 12/08/2012 12:12:50 AM 851 Views
Lol. Nice one. *NM* everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:22:01 AM 524 Views
I actually said, "He's not hot enough." Aeryn - 13/08/2012 01:15:58 PM 923 Views
On the plus side, you need not fear Ryans failure to mention abortion and contraception. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:17:45 PM 1127 Views
Tigr - 13/08/2012 03:31:38 PM 1055 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 940 Views
Didn't know enough about them to have an opinion, honestly. Legolas - 12/08/2012 06:40:22 PM 1062 Views
Well Paul Ryan also had a social security plan in 2005 Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:48:39 AM 1066 Views
Wonderful choice! Truly wonderful.....check the video. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:22:48 AM 926 Views
Nice video. Legolas - 12/08/2012 06:52:59 PM 1025 Views
Can you explain your fascination with Ryans ideas, please? Joel - 13/08/2012 04:08:35 AM 992 Views
No, it doesn't change my opinion any Larry - 12/08/2012 07:50:21 AM 1100 Views
I hear even the DNC has rejected its TN Senate nominee. Joel - 12/08/2012 05:46:37 PM 1011 Views
Yes, they disavowed him Larry - 12/08/2012 08:00:33 PM 1028 Views
Apparently the TN Democratic Party agrees voters should write in someone elses name. Joel - 12/08/2012 08:34:46 PM 991 Views
Does not work in the US Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:17:58 AM 968 Views
We do not need most of the populace to cast protest votes, only most voters. Joel - 13/08/2012 01:33:41 AM 929 Views
Your distinction misses my greater point Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:51:26 AM 973 Views
*shrugs* Vote absentee then. Joel - 13/08/2012 02:28:32 AM 1007 Views
I was going to vote Romney anyway, so no, it doesn't change anything. Tom - 12/08/2012 10:39:15 PM 997 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 1142 Views
I disagree Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:52:07 AM 1017 Views
Bloomberg has imploded Tom - 13/08/2012 07:12:56 PM 925 Views
Bloomberg has become a national laughingstock. everynametaken - 13/08/2012 08:13:24 PM 1010 Views
Not as much as either Obama or Romney, surely. Legolas - 13/08/2012 08:23:41 PM 1009 Views
Makes sense for you. You are Romney's target audience. Aeryn - 13/08/2012 01:19:26 PM 941 Views
What should Obama have done? Tom - 13/08/2012 07:31:23 PM 993 Views
And how much of that do you expect from Romney? Joel - 14/08/2012 10:21:33 AM 1317 Views
Certainly more than from Obama. Tom - 16/08/2012 12:00:19 AM 918 Views
Mmm, Objectivism. Another reason for me to vote Obama. Ghavrel - 12/08/2012 11:00:34 PM 1100 Views
But doesn't he say he detests Rand? Stephen - 12/08/2012 11:53:47 PM 836 Views
No he doesn't disavow Ayn Rand, he still believes in her Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:15:34 AM 1017 Views
Good to know. Stephen - 13/08/2012 08:42:22 AM 1023 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 577 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 874 Views
Obama doesn't have a history of openly endorsing the views of said radicals. *NM* Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:32:52 AM 618 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 578 Views
Link to audio of Paul Ryans address to The Atlas Society. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:37:27 AM 1140 Views
Or you could have just read my response which posted prior to yours Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:45:07 PM 935 Views
Sorry, I completely missed your link. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:09:11 PM 1033 Views
Don't get me wrong Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:53:10 AM 959 Views
Actually I believe he promised to vote for Romney if I did Isaac - 13/08/2012 03:48:35 AM 1101 Views
What an amusing retrospective. Joel - 13/08/2012 04:20:02 AM 1101 Views
Uh... how exactly did you get to spending and budget timelines? Isaac - 13/08/2012 04:59:45 AM 937 Views
Tangentially, of course. Joel - 13/08/2012 05:08:18 AM 965 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 877 Views
It was a hyperbolic reference to the extreme left (one stolen from Matt Groening, btw.) Joel - 14/08/2012 10:12:09 AM 950 Views
Interesting. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 11:34:30 AM 1038 Views
They have a pill for that now. Joel - 14/08/2012 01:14:39 PM 1074 Views
I'm pretty sure the solution is you learning elementary composition. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/08/2012 11:33:57 PM 606 Views
Your willful reading incomprehension is neither my fault nor problem. Joel - 16/08/2012 07:40:46 PM 1040 Views
I don't think you can succinctly do anything. *NM* Ghavrel - 16/08/2012 09:33:38 PM 615 Views
I just did. Joel - 16/08/2012 09:36:21 PM 998 Views
EDIT: ACK! Hoist on my own petard! Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:25:27 AM 947 Views
Disillusioned, sure. But I don't recall ever considering voting Republican. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:31:17 AM 1019 Views
No birth control, no right to choose, no planned parenthood? ironclad - 13/08/2012 01:58:51 PM 877 Views
They are really doing a public service that way. *NM* Stephen - 13/08/2012 02:26:39 PM 448 Views
I saw a theory just after the announcement speculating Ryan was chosen as a scapegoat. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:33:56 PM 1032 Views
I agree with your statements nossy - 14/08/2012 12:53:41 AM 1093 Views
It's mostly nonsense Isaac - 14/08/2012 04:46:11 AM 1021 Views
Well nossy - 14/08/2012 02:54:06 PM 1224 Views
'Nonsense' refers to the thing said about the religious right by the media Isaac - 14/08/2012 04:01:47 PM 1239 Views
I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word. nossy - 14/08/2012 06:30:23 PM 1277 Views
Re: I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word. Isaac - 15/08/2012 01:45:59 AM 970 Views
I have to keep this short, because I am on the iPad. nossy - 15/08/2012 05:38:48 AM 931 Views
Triple reply chain is usually a good point for the trim-edit anyway Isaac - 15/08/2012 05:27:20 PM 1107 Views
Or shows it's time to quit. nossy - 15/08/2012 10:20:17 PM 1418 Views
Agreed Isaac - 15/08/2012 10:54:05 PM 885 Views
The question, as for Tom, is what you believe Romney would improve for small businesses. Joel - 14/08/2012 01:38:29 PM 1052 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 1095 Views
I see your point, but... ironclad - 14/08/2012 02:30:22 PM 870 Views
Well nossy - 14/08/2012 03:09:18 PM 1060 Views
Are you really going to let Obama con you into voting for him again? Tom - 21/08/2012 02:00:06 PM 905 Views
I honestly haven't decided. nossy - 21/08/2012 04:13:44 PM 1226 Views
Expanding our perspective does not improve our options much, sadly. Joel - 14/08/2012 04:23:48 PM 1000 Views
None of that is that important. everynametaken - 14/08/2012 08:53:10 PM 1044 Views
Agreed. *NM* Macharius - 15/08/2012 02:21:55 PM 577 Views
Bullshit Tom - 21/08/2012 01:46:42 PM 1065 Views
This makes me more likely to vote R this year. Macharius - 15/08/2012 02:31:06 PM 956 Views
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