Vote.

[Bliss]

Any of you who have been here for any length of time know that I am largely a private person. My home life, my religious leanings, my political goals, these are all things that I tend to keep to myself. I don't petition for causes. But there are times in a person's life when it hurts more than anything to be silent.

Which is why I ask you to watch this video - especially my fellow Americans.

And on Tuesday, get out there and vote. I don't care who for - you ARE making a difference either way. Vote.

Do it.

Vote.

[RubySlippers]

I did already I did my duty as a citizen. And for those people that don't like either candidate or think its not important I have two things to say:

1. There are THIRTEEN different choices on the ballot in my state and likely several in most states so find a party and candidate you DO like and vote for them. The only wasted vote is one not used at all.

2. The next president will get to appoint judges and likely to the Supreme Court at least one if not two and that matters. If nothing else that can affect everyone possibly one way or another.

So vote.

[Moondazed]

Thank you for sharing that video, I hadn't seen it.

[Bliss]

Pass it on. To people less likely to get out there on Tuesday, in particular!

[Sherona]

I am voting though I am still undecided about who. I don't really trust Obama...I DON"T want McCain, fo the two I would so prefer to see Obama.., alternate parties with very slim hope of getting elected will be siphoning votes off of Obama and McCain will slide in. >.> I So do not want McCain to slide in... /ends now before I derail.

[RubySlippers]

Well I wouldn't have voted for either party unless Ron Paul was the Republican candidate I like him very Conservative and Libertarian leaning.

[Moondazed]

What frustrates me is the people who choose not to vote because they don't find either candidate to be a perfect fit.  I don't think there's ever been a mainstream candidate I thought was a perfect fit, but I do my research and vote for the candidate I think is best.  Sometimes it's a vote against a candidate, sometimes it's a vote for someone I can respect even if we don't completely agree on the issues.

[Sherona]

I agree Moon. I don't think ANY one would be a perfect fit, and even when its a vote of lesser evils its still atleast excersizing. I doubt that there will ever be two mainstream candidates that will ever be completely Equally horrible for the job, or good for the job, to justify not voting.

[RubySlippers]

The Candidates don't bother me ,well McCain does he's creepy, and I like Obama but I vote for the best political party I think both of the ones in power are on the wrong track and ignore the basic simplicity of the Consitution. And none really seem to want to control spending or make the hard decisions like seriously reducing Federal programs and making the move away from Big Brother policies.

I'm a Libertarian and a fairly simple conservative one and neither party gained the honor of my support. It may not matter for some local races like Sheriff since that is a profession and I would pick the best person. But many offices are too important to hand to either party anymore and I won't sell myself in supporting them when another choice is there.

The only reason I would have voted for Ron Paul he has very firm Libertarian Conservative views and acts on them in his work in Congress he has my respect none other though earned that right.

And what this EITHER candidate there are in Florida 13 Presidential tickets I'm sure one would be suitable to each voters values.

[Chris Brady]

Although I'm not American, I'd rather spoil my vote than not vote.  Because if you don't vote up here, they can count it as one for whatever they like (Despite it being illegal to do so.)

I won't however, say who I voted for.

[National Acrobat]

Thanks for the video link.

I'll add my voice to the chorus.

Vote. Doesn't matter who for, simply vote.

Virginia has 6 Candidates for President, you should be able to find someone among those six that has enough of your shared values to cast a ballot for.

[Valerian]

This will be weird coming from a shy person like me, but voting time is when I talk to people.  My neighbors, that is -- several of us (weather permitting) usually walk to the polling place together, and the volunteers there always like to chat.  It's a social thing, something that helps us all feel like we have something in common beside where we happen to live.  Consider that an added incentive for you more outgoing people.  ;)

[MagicalPen]

The main problem with voting is that the majority of people think you have to vote for Obama OR McCain. They aren't even aware of all the third parties (who don't get invited to the debates, etc). I'm also not a big fan of voting for the lesser of two Evils. Its a worthless vote in that case, as you aren't voting for your beliefs/ideals that best represent you. Its like deciding between a Red Apple and a Green Apple, when you really want an Orange.

[Bliss]

it's better than starving, Mag.

[ShrowdedPoet]

VOTE, don't complain, don't make excuses. . .Just vote.  Simple.  Vote.

[WyldRanger]

Yes, I totally agree. Vote! Even if it's for a write in candidate, at least your voice will be heard. Even if few are listening, there is always one person you agrees with you...you...it's you're vote...no one else's! *end semi-rant*

[Apple of Eris]

Its like deciding between a Red Apple and a Green Apple, when you really want an Orange.

Hey! Lets stop picking on Apples already!

And while I plan to vote, if you don't want to vote, then don't. Voting is a right you can choose to execrise, just as not voting is also a way to exercise your voice. Perhaps it might be a small mute protest to decide not to vote, but again, it -is- your right to withold your vote if you do not like any of the choices available.

And if deciding not to vote pisses off a bunch of people, so much the better! So to all you lazy americans who won't be getting off your sofas tomorrow to vote: God Bless each and every one of you.

And as George Carlin said, at least when he get's finished masturbating, he'll have a little something to show for it.

[Will]

HA!  That was good, Apple, thank you. ;D

Every couple of years it comes to this, and I know what I'm going to go through whether I show up early, late, or somewhere in between.  I really feel like I could just slam my head against the wall and call it even.  I mean, I would get a splitting headache and nothing would change, but the only difference between that and voting is the line.  Still, I drag my cranky ass out to the polls and vote, just so no one can question my right to piss and moan when I'm not happy with the government.

[MagicalPen]

Well, if Apple of Eris is one of the options, I know who i'll be 'picking'.... :o

[Moondazed]

By all means exercise your right not to vote... but don't bitch about the person who wins if you don't bother to contribute to the process.  I'm sure there are other people you can bitch to and they'll listen, but I'm not one of them.

[Jefepato]

My absentee ballot is already in.

However, I find the idea that my vote will actually make a difference highly suspect, to say the least.  And that's ignoring the possibility of my ballot being conveniently lost.

I certainly don't see how dropping that envelope into the box made my opinions more valid.

[Moondazed]

It's simple.  If you contribute to the whole, you are invested.  If you do not expend the effort to participate, you don't get to bitch to me.  It's about being a part of something instead of sitting outside of it and playing armchair quarterback :) 

[Jefepato]

I don't see the cause-effect relationship there, moondazed.  You're attributing meaning to an "investment" that has none.

There's nothing wrong with being an armchair quarterback if going out on the field won't, can't affect the game.  Voting in Illinois is like spitting into a tsunami.  Sure, I'm invested in it now, but no one will notice and it's sure not going to change direction.

[Moondazed]

Says you :)  A small number of people can have an impact.  I'm not saying everyone else should ascribe to my system, I simply stated that if one doesn't invest effort, one can't bitch to me.

[MagicalPen]

I'm with Jef on this one. How does it have an impact if no one even knows? Its not effecting anything. There is no difference between the person who didn't vote and the person who did vote 'against the grain'. In present-day America, voting outside of the two main parties is just as good as not voting at all.

[Moondazed]

You two are free to give up, just don't bitch about politics to me :)

[Valerian]

Well, I don't know if that's quite a safe assumption... In my state, we had a gubernatorial election that was one of the dirtiest ever in the country from what I understand -- both Democrat and Republican were hurling the most incredible insults at each other, accusation and counter-accusation, until everyone was completely sick of it all.  It really was terrible.  And when the votes were in, the Libertarian candidate had gotten a record 11% of the vote.  That may not seem like a lot, but we've had another gubernatorial election since then, and there was an absolutely amazing lack of mud-slinging, which was a refreshing change, let me tell you.  So it's a subtle thing, but it's possible for a non-major party vote to have some effect.

[Moondazed]

*agrees*

[King_Furby]

I guess if the redskins lose obama will win if redskins win mccain will win. I guess thats what the football people are saying lol.

[Trieste]

As far as I'm concerned, it's not that casting a vote makes your opinion more valid ... it's your actions that do. I have a tendency to sympathise less for those who complain about their situation, but are doing nothing to change it. The way I see it, not voting and then complaining about government is tantamount to complaining about you mooching brother who sleeps on your couch, then refusing to toss him out on his keister. Do it very much and the reaction will be an irritatedly weary, "Well, if you don't like it, why don't you do something about it?"

[MagicalPen]

I think you are all missing the point here - ok. So lets say I live in a state that will Vote for Obama, but I vote for McCain. No one knows I voted for McCain, no one cares, and it doesn't change anything. How is that any different from not Voting at all? Its not going to effect anyone in either case. I can see it being a 'make yourself feel better' thing, but it doesn't effect anyone outside of you. And I'd rather not vote for some one I don't want to be president, and in that case, i've done my part since I didn't caste my vote to put him in power.

[Trieste]

I think you are all missing the point here - ok. So lets say I live in a state that will Vote for Obama, but I vote for McCain. No one knows I voted for McCain, no one cares, and it doesn't change anything. How is that any different from not Voting at all? Its not going to effect anyone in either case. I can see it being a 'make yourself feel better' thing, but it doesn't effect anyone outside of you. And I'd rather not vote for some one I don't want to be president, and in that case, i've done my part since I didn't caste my vote to put him in power.

Because what you're describing is the concept of "I don't have to do anything ... someone else will do something about it". And if you think about it, the reason you feel that way is because other people don't. The whole point of all of this whole voting thing and the initiative to get people the heck out there is because if you DO vote, and everyone else in your state DOES do that... at least you KNOW McCain is in there because he got the majority vote ... not just the majority vote of the people who bothered to get up and do it.

Oh, and those 500-someodd votes that decided the 200 elections? Those were Florida voters, Silv. You cannot assume Florida is all red.

[MagicalPen]

Well, first time voting for me in Florida. Its track record isn't good - talk about corrupt! In local-level elections this year, 3,500 Votes went missing...I don't trust the system down here and think that whomever has already decided who will win this state, no matter how the people vote.

[Bliss]

Vote anyway - you can't attempt to effect a change if you don't even try!

[Cherri Tart]

*blinks* is there some sort of an election thingy going on? *giggles and runs*

[Caity]

I have to get this off my chest, because I feel so bad and guilty.  

I won't be voting today.  :(

I thought I was registered, and I am, but in a different county.  I thought I would be able to register today, but it's a no go.  I was near tears talking to the lady at the clerk's office.  It's awful hearing, "you can't vote this year."  

To be honest, I didn't want to vote this year.  I dislike most of John McCain's policies, but I don't believe in Barack Obama.  For me, it would be the choice between a red apple and a green apple, and I don't like apples to begin with.  I don't vote for third parties either (like someone said, it just siphons votes away from someone who actually has a chance), but I do have to admit that I voted for Nader in 2000.  I would have, of course, voted for Obama, and I'm so sorry to the Obama supporters.  The only reasons I did want to vote today was because (a)peer pressure, (b)to take part in electing the first African American US president, and (c)to cancel my dad's vote (McCain supporter).  Which, none of those are good reasons to vote.  I would rather vote for someone I actually believe in, whether they fit my ideals perfectly or not.  I don't believe either candidate is right for America right now.  

Whatever the outcome of the election is, I hope it goes smoothly.  

A HUGE thank you to the people who are voting today.  

[Sherona]

Seriously Mpen, write to your congressman. I happen to agree that one vote is nothing but a drop in the hat and doesn't matter..it only matters when hundreds of thousands votes are not cast. However, vote so you can say you did your duty, keep people off your back, AND when you write you will be able to say you voted and thus was apart of the system, SO you have the right to complain.


But yeah, writing to a congressman is a better avenue to create change then voting or not voting is.

[MagicalPen]

I won't be surprised at all if Florida has voter fraud/controversy at some point. Using a 3rd system in as many voting periods speaks enough for itself about how voting turns out down here. Voting for a 3rd party won't matter until the US goes away from a two-party system, as the Dems + Reps have a monopoly on the system right now. I'll be complaining about whomever becomes elected - even if I vote for them - since neither candidate appeals to my every sense/ideal and I have a lot of issues with both Obama and McCains policies etc.

[Sherona]

as do I Mpen, I REALLY don't want McCain in office, I would rather see Obama, but I just don't think Obama has the experiance necessary, and I think he still viewing thing with rose colored glasses. that said, I did vote, atleast when push comes to shove I can say I did all I could to further where I think the country should go. Thats the bottom line, Yes there is a right to NOT vote. And frankly I don't think people should be harrassed who choose that route. However NOT voting is just as ineffective as voting is. More so, because NOT voting just doesn't get noticed. There is no sound if one does not make one.

[Moondazed]

Caity, I don't think there's such a thing as a bad reason to vote :)  People might make their choices based on things I think are ridiculous or silly, but voting is always a good thing.  The bottom line, in my opinion, is that participation is what the system is based on, and if I don't participate, I'm shirking my duty.

[Caity]

Okay?  I don't think there is either.  :) 

Voting or not voting is a highly personal thing, just as who you vote for is personal.  Just because someone doesn't vote doesn't mean they don't participate in the system in other ways. 

[Apple of Eris]

...it would be the choice between a red apple and a green apple, and I don't like apples to begin with.  

This hurt me more deeply than you will ever know. *sniffles*

[Caity]

I'll amend that.  I actually LOVE Paula Red apples.  Are you a Paula Red apple?  :P

[Moondazed]

I'm scared to go to bed because in the Bush/Gore election, they called it and we went to bed, only to wake up to Bush winning.

[Apple of Eris]

Golden Delicious actually.


And -I- did it! I won the election for Obama!

I studied the Hex the Phanatic used duringthe world series and used it against McCain today, and WHAM! Obama pulls a big win by striking out McCain who goes down swinging.

Oh yeah, I got it baby!