shortyj 0 #1 October 30, 2006 Just wondering how many people really do. I think we should if we can.Playtime is essential. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveJack 1 #2 October 30, 2006 I already voted by absentee ballot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortyj 0 #3 October 30, 2006 goodPlaytime is essential. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #4 October 30, 2006 no.... I'm not American (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #5 October 30, 2006 QuoteJust wondering how many people really do. I think we should if we can. I'll probably vote 6 or 7 times since we have the Diebold machines. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortyj 0 #6 October 30, 2006 you're excusedPlaytime is essential. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #7 October 30, 2006 Cheers mate (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #8 October 30, 2006 Would those Americans who decline to help make the decisions kindly refrain from commenting on those who do for the next two years when you will be once again given the opportunity to sit with the adults. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tink1717 2 #9 October 30, 2006 I'm going to sit this one out. (This is the first time I've done this.) I simply CAN"T approve of either candidate for governor (State of Maryland), or either candidate for senate (One's an insider, the other is bought and paid for by the radical religious right.) and the local candidates are running unopposed. There is simply no way to make it work, so I'll sit back and let the rest of the electorate totally fuck things up and have a clear conscious, knowing that I have ZERO culpability in it. I didn't make the mess, I didn't contribute to its continuation and I had no option to remedy it.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #10 October 30, 2006 I am voting for the sake of the ballot initiatives here in California. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,400 #11 October 30, 2006 Quoteno.... I'm not American If Chicago can let dead people vote, then I don't see why we couldn't also make an exception for English people."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #12 October 30, 2006 I'm in then.... but I'm a wobbly, which way should I go? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,400 #13 October 30, 2006 QuoteI'm in then.... but I'm a wobbly, which way should I go? Whatever you do, don't vote for the people who support the guy who can't even speak coherent English. "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #14 October 30, 2006 (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #15 October 30, 2006 QuoteI am voting for the sake of the ballot initiatives here in California. Ballot initiatives are the only reason I have not yet voted in Washington. I need to educate myself a bit more first. We have four this time, as follow: QuoteInitiative Measure No. 920 concerns estate tax. This measure would repeal Washington’s state laws imposing tax, currently dedicated for the education legacy trust fund, on transfers of estates of persons dying on or after the effective date of this measure. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ] --------------- Initiative Measure No. 933 concerns government regulation of private property. This measure would require compensation when government regulation damages the use or value of private property, would forbid regulations that prohibit existing legal uses of private property, and would provide exceptions or payments. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ] --------------- Initiative Measure No. 937 concerns energy resource use by certain electric utilities. This measure would require certain electric utilities with 25,000 or more customers to meet certain targets for energy conservation and use of renewable energy resources, as defined, including energy credits, or pay penalties. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ] --------------- The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on increasing an exemption from the personal property tax. This amendment would authorize the legislature to increase the personal property tax exemption for taxable personal property owned by each “head of a family” from three thousand ($3,000) to fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars. Should this constitutional amendment be: Approved [ ] Rejected [ ] Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #16 October 30, 2006 Yep, me too. I've got to read up on these. I guess I should take my ballot and voter's guide with me on the plane tonight; I'm running out of time to read up on this stuff. I do love how easy Washington makes it to be a perma-absentee voter. I never have to worry about whether I'm in town on Election Day."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #17 October 30, 2006 Actually, "Noverber" is one of my favorite theme months - we need to be sensitive to Noverbers, they are slowly becoming extinct ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,149 #18 October 30, 2006 QuoteNoverbersAre those the people who refuse to turn nouns into verbs? If so, they are my heroes (at least most of the time), and I think we should trumpet the importance of Noverber! Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #19 October 30, 2006 I already did, but I tell you RI has 9 questions."According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 0 #20 October 30, 2006 I'm regularly appalled at the low voter turnout in the US. I know that sounds sanctimonious. Sorry. Anyhow, in Brasil, which just re-elected its president, voting is mandatory. I'm almost inclined to support that law as a form of mandatory civil service in exchange for the privilege (blessing, frankly) of living in a democracy. Echh. I really do sound sanctimonious. Oh, well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #21 October 30, 2006 QuoteI'm regularly appalled at the low voter turnout in the US. I know that sounds sanctimonious. Sorry. Anyhow, in Brasil, which just re-elected its president, voting is mandatory. I'm almost inclined to support that law as a form of mandatory civil service in exchange for the privilege (blessing, frankly) of living in a democracy. Echh. I really do sound sanctimonious. Oh, well. I still like the fact that we are allowed to choose not to vote. Wonder if there would be a way to do it (must submit a ballot, but can choose not to vote for anyone) that could both encourage turnout and also maintain individual rights? I did jury duty a few weeks ago, and the judge who gave the introductory remarks (designed to make us all a little less cynical about our duty) said "When you think about it, there are really only four things we ask you to do as citizens: Pay your taxes, obey the law, vote, and serve on a jury." It put two days of jury service in perspective, but it also got me to thinking about voting. Three out of the four things he listed *are* mandated by our government and citizens can be punished if they don't comply (obviously, the degree of enforcement varies widely, but the general point is that they are laws that can be enforced). It makes me wonder what *would* be the impact of making the 4th one mandatory."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #22 October 30, 2006 QuoteIt makes me wonder what *would* be the impact of making the 4th one mandatory. Its always worked so well for all the dictatorships around the world Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #23 October 30, 2006 QuoteQuoteIt makes me wonder what *would* be the impact of making the 4th one mandatory. Its always worked so well for all the dictatorships around the world Well, yeah, that's really the key thing in there - while it might solve the problem of voter turnout, it would obviously create a whole host of other problems and potential for abuse. Anyone know - are there examples of other democracies with mandatory voting (and not just "democracy for show" put in place by a dictatorship). Serious question - I really don't know the answer. Edit: a quick google search turned up this article which has two examples: Australia and Belgium. http://www.slate.com/id/2108832/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallRate 0 #24 October 30, 2006 Quoteso I'll sit back and let the rest of the electorate totally fuck things up and have a clear conscious, knowing that I have ZERO culpability in it. I won't make a judgment as to whether or not this is right or wrong because I do not know. But the November elections are just one step in the process of selecting our officials. We may have no good choice or no real choice, but we do have the ability to participate in the process in its earlier stages. With so much energy spent on getting people to the poles, which is usually a partisan activity, we overlook the most important element: the selection of candidates. We are drilled with the notion that if more people voted then the political system would be better for it. I don't see it. But if more people became involved in selecting candidates, I'm guessing, we would have fewer incompetents and criminals in office. Try to imagine the day when "I don't know who to vote for because they both suck.", is replaced by "I don't know who to vote for because they are both exceptional candidates." Well, it's not impossible. *shrug* FallRate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #25 October 30, 2006 Not really, in Venezuela, before the constitution was changed by Chavez, it was mandatory to vote, otherwise you would have not been allowed to travel outside the country. However, I came accross this interesting ballot from Iraq, while under Saddam."According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
