I think that Kerry has some valid points, as does Bush. Seeing as how I personally wish Bush a very painful death - something involving scissors and a leash - I could, theoretically, just vote for Kerry out of spite. But then again, I don't vote out of spite.
If someone were to run for public office and be entirely honest about everything, I think I would vote for them, just for the hell of it. I like to know what I'm getting myself into, and these two men aren't the types who will tell me what's what. Therefore, I can't bring myself to vote for them.
I'll probably vote Nader, for a few reasons:
- I know the basics of where he stands, and he refuses to not run.
- I like his environmental policies, and his Libertarianesque ways.
- Everyone and their brothers are telling me that if I vote for him, I will be going straight to hell*.
I hate it when people tell me what to do. I hate it even more when people tell me what not to do. I hate politicians. I vote Nader.
-Sunny
*Handbasket/accessories not included in aforementioned price.
6 comments:
Resist... resist... must... not... lecture....
Ah, failed. Sorry.
First, if you're waiting for someone to "tell you the truth", you will never, ever vote.
Second, "telling you the truth" is no way to decide on who to vote for. People can be absolutely certain about things, never tell lies and still be assholes. Or just plain wrong. Or completely unprepared to deal with something unexpected that their "truth" can't help them with.
In politics, the only "truth" is policy. That's the only way you know what they really think and believe. George Bush could say in 2000 that he wanted a "humble" foreign policy and he opposed "nation building" and be 100% convinced that he meant it at the time, but then look what he does when the fit hits the shan.
I'm not saying don't vote for Nader, I'm saying be more cynical.
Sorry Pops, can't be done. Maybe people like me just shouldn't vote?
Or maybe I should stop trying to figure everything out, and just vote for the lesser of two evils?
Nah, I just can't. I lied, too, I'm not all that sorry. :p
What? What lesser of two evils? I thought you were going to vote for Nader? That's the lesser of THREE evils by my math.
Sorry Sunny, but I don't have alot of sympathy for the "It's too fucked up, I won't even bother" position. You're on the bus with all the rest of us whether you want to be or not; wherever we decide to go, you have to go to, so you can't say it doesn't matter who's driving.
Vote for Nader. You want to. Don't let anyone talk you out of it, just do it. Or better yet, vote and don't tell anyone a single thing about who you voted for or why. That's fair too.
(Sorry if it seems like I'm pestering you, but you did post about this publically, so I felt it was OK to engage on the subject).
He really does have a good point, I think. We are all going the same way, overall, as long as we are in the US - vote your conscience and be happy with that. I think I'm going to take Pops advice and vote, but not tell anyone. You have to do what is right for you, when it comes down to it.
That's it, Amanda. Thanks for understanding. That's what I meant with all that mumbo-jumbo. I guess I just don't feel like I know enough (or care to immerse myself into the topic enough) to glean the amount of information that I feel that one needs before they can truly make an educated vote. I have to be passionate about something, before I make a decision that might affect the whole world.
Pops, you're not pestering me. You make sense. Plus, you prepare me for the talking-to I'll be getting this weekend, when my uber-political little brother gets into town. If I didn't want to talk about something, I wouldn't have posted about it. That goes for all my posts. I enjoy your commentary. The nagging is just a bonus.
Just one last nag then...
Command or even understanding of the issues will not--never ever ever ever, not on accident, never even once--just hit you like a bolt of lightning out of the blue. I'm sorry, you can't just say "I don't vote because I don't already know all the issues." Not being up to speed is a clear personal choice.
Democracy is a job. It really is. You have to take the time, read the boring pamphlets, watch CNN like once a week at least, read a newspaper... I know it doesn't sound like fun, but finding out is a far, far superior answer to "I don't know" than a shrug and walking away.
Sure it's easier for people like me who think this shit is fascinating, but people like me tend to get bogged down in minutiae and idealogy because we like strategy as much as we like issues, maybe even more so. We as a nation need the counter-balance from people who really hate this nuisance of voting, so are only motivated by concrete issues that affect them on a practical level. Part of the problem with the quality of candidates is that mostly wonks and dorks like me vote and not enough people like you who aren't distracted by all the sound and fury of political theater.
They'll send you a voter guide in the mail if you're registered, at least they do in my county in CA. Just thumb through it. 2 hours tops. Put on some music, drink a beer, scan a few pages. It will be worth it.
End of speech.
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