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*shrugs* Vote absentee then. Joel Send a noteboard - 13/08/2012 02:28:32 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.

Yet I would not be surprised if >5% of US voters already cast blank/overvoted ballots in protest; it just is not noticed because of how we print the ballots and the willingness to chalk it up to ignorance rather than dissatisfaction.
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Paul Ryan is selected as Republican VP candidate Legolas - 11/08/2012 05:01:47 PM 1906 Views
Personally? No, I'm not voting Republican at all this year. LordPerrin - 11/08/2012 05:18:06 PM 921 Views
Ya know that narrative of the right getting further right is pretty ridicolous Isaac - 11/08/2012 06:43:44 PM 890 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 927 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 986 Views
+1 - Great post! *NM* Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:32:21 AM 548 Views
We're on a roll here Isaac. I agree with you again. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:18:32 AM 924 Views
yet despite that, dems didn't put referenda and push bills discriminating against gay people moondog - 12/08/2012 07:55:38 PM 1004 Views
They certainly have, they've just done it less and less recently Isaac - 12/08/2012 09:39:53 PM 888 Views
Fred Phelps is 82 Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:28:01 AM 828 Views
So is Pat Robertson *NM* Isaac - 13/08/2012 02:41:28 AM 521 Views
They're not enlightened at all. Tom - 21/08/2012 02:04:09 PM 1091 Views
Agreed, but ya'll continue doing it anyway. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:24:09 PM 913 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 1123 Views
People say it so much it kinda grinds into the brain Isaac - 11/08/2012 09:17:16 PM 819 Views
Thank you for making sense. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:01:53 AM 894 Views
voting third party is a good idea moondog - 11/08/2012 08:15:41 PM 885 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 835 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 860 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 993 Views
Who said anything about the two-party system? Joel - 12/08/2012 04:29:36 AM 818 Views
No offense intended, but voting third party is as stupid as not voting. Aemon - 12/08/2012 04:42:28 AM 1077 Views
I strongly disagree. Joel - 12/08/2012 05:11:52 AM 919 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 989 Views
as the saying goes "the lesser of two evils is still evil" moondog - 12/08/2012 08:06:20 PM 910 Views
Nice asshatery. everynametaken - 12/08/2012 07:56:57 AM 1074 Views
Wouldn't you love to have a "none of the above" option..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:36:54 PM 838 Views
Or you could use a PR system and act like responsible adults. *NM* Stephen - 12/08/2012 05:47:14 PM 432 Views
Not voting sends no message but "we will let politicians do as they please." Joel - 12/08/2012 05:12:55 PM 1271 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 1020 Views
Usually only in degree, not kind, though I mostly had the former in mind. Joel - 12/08/2012 07:27:54 PM 952 Views
+1 - Good post. Joel is off the deep end, once again. *NM* Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 07:42:23 PM 552 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 422 Views
Oh dear. Stephen - 11/08/2012 06:26:07 PM 879 Views
I'm happy with it, I like Ryan Isaac - 11/08/2012 06:47:21 PM 897 Views
What a shock. Legolas - 11/08/2012 08:18:35 PM 1033 Views
Most Republicans are fine with gutting Medicare. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:31:03 PM 1127 Views
Everyone with an ounce of common sense is okay with "gutting" Medicare..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:37:17 AM 845 Views
The only thing bankrupting Medicare is unsustainable US healthcare costs eating 20% of US GDP. Joel - 12/08/2012 03:56:28 AM 1165 Views
Silly comment - 30% of Medicare is FRAUD.....and the program is fatally flawed. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:09:26 AM 984 Views
So private insurance costs are really growing SIXTY percent faster?! Joel - 12/08/2012 04:24:49 AM 973 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 771 Views
Eligibility age for both must increase (SSs has, but not enough.) They are not "unsustainable." Joel - 12/08/2012 04:31:57 AM 766 Views
Medicare is 100% unsustainable in it's current format..... Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 04:36:13 AM 851 Views
[citation needed] *NM* moondog - 12/08/2012 08:09:44 PM 557 Views
Re: What a shock. Isaac - 11/08/2012 08:51:12 PM 1003 Views
ryan isn't going to help rmoney win wisconsin moondog - 11/08/2012 08:21:27 PM 1000 Views
Picking Ryan was an olive branch to the GOP rank and file. Joel - 11/08/2012 08:05:41 PM 1128 Views
definitely a bold pick but not going to help him enough in november moondog - 11/08/2012 08:27:59 PM 952 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 840 Views
Who cares? He's hot. Rebekah - 11/08/2012 11:53:42 PM 1095 Views
So are you a fan of David Cameron? Roland00 - 12/08/2012 12:12:50 AM 757 Views
Lol. Nice one. *NM* everynametaken - 12/08/2012 08:22:01 AM 479 Views
I actually said, "He's not hot enough." Aeryn - 13/08/2012 01:15:58 PM 824 Views
On the plus side, you need not fear Ryans failure to mention abortion and contraception. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:17:45 PM 1013 Views
Tigr - 13/08/2012 03:31:38 PM 962 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 838 Views
Didn't know enough about them to have an opinion, honestly. Legolas - 12/08/2012 06:40:22 PM 965 Views
Well Paul Ryan also had a social security plan in 2005 Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:48:39 AM 976 Views
Wonderful choice! Truly wonderful.....check the video. Anonymous2000 - 12/08/2012 03:22:48 AM 832 Views
Nice video. Legolas - 12/08/2012 06:52:59 PM 920 Views
Can you explain your fascination with Ryans ideas, please? Joel - 13/08/2012 04:08:35 AM 891 Views
No, it doesn't change my opinion any Larry - 12/08/2012 07:50:21 AM 1008 Views
I hear even the DNC has rejected its TN Senate nominee. Joel - 12/08/2012 05:46:37 PM 922 Views
Yes, they disavowed him Larry - 12/08/2012 08:00:33 PM 924 Views
Apparently the TN Democratic Party agrees voters should write in someone elses name. Joel - 12/08/2012 08:34:46 PM 893 Views
Does not work in the US Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:17:58 AM 875 Views
We do not need most of the populace to cast protest votes, only most voters. Joel - 13/08/2012 01:33:41 AM 831 Views
Your distinction misses my greater point Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:51:26 AM 871 Views
*shrugs* Vote absentee then. Joel - 13/08/2012 02:28:32 AM 915 Views
I was going to vote Romney anyway, so no, it doesn't change anything. Tom - 12/08/2012 10:39:15 PM 909 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 1049 Views
I disagree Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:52:07 AM 927 Views
Bloomberg has imploded Tom - 13/08/2012 07:12:56 PM 834 Views
Bloomberg has become a national laughingstock. everynametaken - 13/08/2012 08:13:24 PM 915 Views
Not as much as either Obama or Romney, surely. Legolas - 13/08/2012 08:23:41 PM 902 Views
Makes sense for you. You are Romney's target audience. Aeryn - 13/08/2012 01:19:26 PM 842 Views
What should Obama have done? Tom - 13/08/2012 07:31:23 PM 880 Views
And how much of that do you expect from Romney? Joel - 14/08/2012 10:21:33 AM 1204 Views
Certainly more than from Obama. Tom - 16/08/2012 12:00:19 AM 822 Views
Mmm, Objectivism. Another reason for me to vote Obama. Ghavrel - 12/08/2012 11:00:34 PM 997 Views
But doesn't he say he detests Rand? Stephen - 12/08/2012 11:53:47 PM 742 Views
No he doesn't disavow Ayn Rand, he still believes in her Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:15:34 AM 914 Views
Good to know. Stephen - 13/08/2012 08:42:22 AM 930 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 529 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 785 Views
Obama doesn't have a history of openly endorsing the views of said radicals. *NM* Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:32:52 AM 576 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 535 Views
Link to audio of Paul Ryans address to The Atlas Society. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:37:27 AM 1040 Views
Or you could have just read my response which posted prior to yours Roland00 - 13/08/2012 01:45:07 PM 828 Views
Sorry, I completely missed your link. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:09:11 PM 933 Views
Don't get me wrong Roland00 - 13/08/2012 12:53:10 AM 851 Views
Actually I believe he promised to vote for Romney if I did Isaac - 13/08/2012 03:48:35 AM 996 Views
What an amusing retrospective. Joel - 13/08/2012 04:20:02 AM 1002 Views
Uh... how exactly did you get to spending and budget timelines? Isaac - 13/08/2012 04:59:45 AM 836 Views
Tangentially, of course. Joel - 13/08/2012 05:08:18 AM 867 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 784 Views
It was a hyperbolic reference to the extreme left (one stolen from Matt Groening, btw.) Joel - 14/08/2012 10:12:09 AM 843 Views
Interesting. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 11:34:30 AM 930 Views
They have a pill for that now. Joel - 14/08/2012 01:14:39 PM 977 Views
I'm pretty sure the solution is you learning elementary composition. *NM* Ghavrel - 15/08/2012 11:33:57 PM 560 Views
Your willful reading incomprehension is neither my fault nor problem. Joel - 16/08/2012 07:40:46 PM 942 Views
I don't think you can succinctly do anything. *NM* Ghavrel - 16/08/2012 09:33:38 PM 561 Views
I just did. Joel - 16/08/2012 09:36:21 PM 904 Views
EDIT: ACK! Hoist on my own petard! Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:25:27 AM 847 Views
Disillusioned, sure. But I don't recall ever considering voting Republican. Ghavrel - 14/08/2012 12:31:17 AM 925 Views
No birth control, no right to choose, no planned parenthood? ironclad - 13/08/2012 01:58:51 PM 772 Views
They are really doing a public service that way. *NM* Stephen - 13/08/2012 02:26:39 PM 398 Views
I saw a theory just after the announcement speculating Ryan was chosen as a scapegoat. Joel - 13/08/2012 03:33:56 PM 938 Views
I agree with your statements nossy - 14/08/2012 12:53:41 AM 993 Views
It's mostly nonsense Isaac - 14/08/2012 04:46:11 AM 917 Views
Well nossy - 14/08/2012 02:54:06 PM 1119 Views
'Nonsense' refers to the thing said about the religious right by the media Isaac - 14/08/2012 04:01:47 PM 1134 Views
I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word. nossy - 14/08/2012 06:30:23 PM 1170 Views
Re: I'm wondering if "belittles" is the wrong word. Isaac - 15/08/2012 01:45:59 AM 878 Views
I have to keep this short, because I am on the iPad. nossy - 15/08/2012 05:38:48 AM 832 Views
Triple reply chain is usually a good point for the trim-edit anyway Isaac - 15/08/2012 05:27:20 PM 1005 Views
Or shows it's time to quit. nossy - 15/08/2012 10:20:17 PM 1266 Views
Agreed Isaac - 15/08/2012 10:54:05 PM 782 Views
The question, as for Tom, is what you believe Romney would improve for small businesses. Joel - 14/08/2012 01:38:29 PM 953 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 990 Views
I see your point, but... ironclad - 14/08/2012 02:30:22 PM 765 Views
Well nossy - 14/08/2012 03:09:18 PM 956 Views
Are you really going to let Obama con you into voting for him again? Tom - 21/08/2012 02:00:06 PM 773 Views
I honestly haven't decided. nossy - 21/08/2012 04:13:44 PM 1132 Views
Expanding our perspective does not improve our options much, sadly. Joel - 14/08/2012 04:23:48 PM 901 Views
None of that is that important. everynametaken - 14/08/2012 08:53:10 PM 943 Views
Agreed. *NM* Macharius - 15/08/2012 02:21:55 PM 520 Views
Bullshit Tom - 21/08/2012 01:46:42 PM 958 Views
This makes me more likely to vote R this year. Macharius - 15/08/2012 02:31:06 PM 866 Views
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