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United States Election: Nov 6, 2012 |OT| - Barack Obama Re-elected

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C

C.Dark.DN

Banned
Make it easier to vote?

Sorry, I have to...

LTujl.png
 
Arjen

Arjen

Member
FilthyLies said:
Voter engagement is depressingly low in the US, especially among young people.
Click to expand...

Pretty weird when you think about it, US is one of the countries who are one of the first in line to bring Democracy to other countries, yet fail to get their own people to vote.

Angst said:
Blame the electoral vote system. If you're not in a swing state your vote doesn't really matter (as much as it would if not all electoral votes went to the candidate with the majority).
Click to expand...

Ok fair enough, i can see the reason behind that, but if you're not going to vote you'll never going to change the way your state votes.
 
R

Red Arremer

Member
Arjen said:
Wow dude, i'm no expert, just trying to understand how your system works.
I'll step out if you get bothered by dumb questions.
Click to expand...

Something that immensely helped me understand the US-American voting system was CGP Grey on Youtube, among other trivia, he has a series dedicated to the political system in the US and explains it well-enough to understand it. :)
 
Haunted

Haunted

Member
verbum said:
63% was the highest since 1960 and that was in 1960.
How do you fix people not voting? You can't make them vote, you can only urge them to vote. Lot's of time and money spent trying to change it.
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Not having to vote on a work day would be an obvious first step. Do it on sundays like the rest of the civilised world.

Our last turnout (2009) was 70,8%, and that was the lowest in German history.
 
V

verbum

Member
Haunted said:
Not having to vote on a work day would be an obvious first step. Do it on sundays like the rest of the civilised world.

Our last turnout (2009) was 70,8%, and that was the lowest in German history.
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Chick Fil A closes on Sunday, do you think the faith based right wing would go for Sunday voting? And Saturday is Sabbath for the Jews. So I think it needs to be several weekdays.
 
F

Forkball

Member
Arjen said:
Pretty weird when you think about it, US is one of the countries who are one of the first in line to bring Democracy to other countries, yet fail to get their own people to vote.
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Are you saying that America doesn't have its priorities straight and often do things contradictory to the values we hold dear? HOW. DARE. YOU.
 
K

Krowley

Member
One problem in america is that the two party system forces many voters to compromise too much if they want to pick a candidate, and therefore, they don't give much of a shit. For example, if you are socially liberal, fiscally conservative, or vice versa, or if you are a hardcore populist, or a hardcore socialist, or whatever...

Basically. the way our system works, you have two candidates who are somewhere in the mushy middle and you hate both of them for different reasons, so you are forced to decide which one you hate the least, and you might very easily decide that you really could care less.
 
Arjen

Arjen

Member
DeathNote said:
No, it's just a good use for the image. Ask all you want. For real.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks.
So how does that register to vote work? Do you have to de that once, or every election? What's the idea behind that proces? The way it works here, is that every body who is 18 get's their ballot in the mail, you take that and your ID and you can vote, easy as that.
 
C

C.Dark.DN

Banned
Arjen said:
Ok, thanks.
So how does that register to vote work? Do you have to de that once, or every election? What's the idea behind that proces? The way it works here, is that every body who is 18 get's their ballot in the mail, you take that and your ID and you can vote, easy as that.
Click to expand...
When I was 18 and went in for an upgraded license in Tennessee(under 18 you have an Intermediate License in Tenn) at the DMV(very long ass lines), they asked if I wanted to be registered, I may or may have not signed something really quick, and I've been registered ever since.

Officially in Tennessee:

How to Register

Download and complete the Voter Registration Application and mail to your county election commission,

or

register in person at:

County Clerk’s Offices
County Election Commission Office
Department of Health (WIC program)
Department of Human Services
Department of Mental Health
Department of Safety (motor vehicles division)
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Public Libraries
Register of Deeds Offices
Click to expand...

And we have to do it a few months before elections?
 
K

Krowley

Member
Arjen said:
Ok, thanks.
So how does that register to vote work? Do you have to de that once, or every election? What's the idea behind that proces? The way it works here, is that every body who is 18 get's their ballot in the mail, you take that and your ID and you can vote, easy as that.
Click to expand...

Different rules in different states rather than a federal system... Some states go out of their way to make it easy, others go out of their way to make it hard because they either want to suppress votes or stop abuses or both.
 
E

ElectricBlue187

Member
Arjen said:
Ok, thanks.
So how does that register to vote work? Do you have to de that once, or every election? What's the idea behind that proces? The way it works here, is that every body who is 18 get's their ballot in the mail, you take that and your ID and you can vote, easy as that.
Click to expand...

You either register at the DMV or some states are now letting you register online. You show up at the place on your voter card on Election Day and use a shitty touch screen to vote (also varies depending on where you live)
 
A

Amir0x

Banned
Pctx said:
To be fair, I was responding on my iPad so I couldn't type a decent response.

To your point....

Yes, however when you have a POTUS lie or tell half truths, which is worse? Seriously. I think for me I figured out why I'm pissing off LiberalGAF; I don't defend the topic at hand, I defend the "best" ideal of what the "best" of Romney "could" potentially bring to the table. (I actually had that realization a couple of days ago and had to reconcile that but I think that's it.)

Yes, all politicians do it. Period. End of story. Obama does it. Biden does it. Barney Frank does it and F'ning John Boener does it. I personally hate it because I hate being lied to or only told what I "think I need to be told" by those who think they are superior in intelligence. To your point, is changing or in this case "flip flopping" on a position identify most with: A) Who Mitt Romney is or B) The state of the Republican party? To me its the latter of the two. Again I go back to what Mitt values; He values me, he values you, he values people working again--- How we get there is two different ways. Call it trickle down politics or trickle up economics, both are amazingly shitty and to most Americans its which one smells the least worst on a daily basis and that is what people are fundamentally voting on. Not party slogans, not hope and change, not believe in America.

The American people get that the people in Washington cannot change things within unless but contrast, you have a super majority and then move bills and/or sign executive orders into law like Obama has had and done. Now before you start jumping down my throat about Bush and what his henchmen did, I get it... he did the exact same thing... stop and think... you voted for hope and change in the way politics were handled; or did you simply vote in who you thought would do the most good for what your political world view is? I'm guessing again its the latter. How am I any different is the question I'm asking LiberalGAF.

To your last point, which Romney will we get; We will get business leader Romney that sole focus will be getting the states and the Government to kick start this economy. Sure there will be bumps in the road and sure we need to (IMO) still address Libya and who is responsible for that shit storm, sure we need to figure out taxes, corporations and medical coverage of people but the root cause of the systemic issues we have at hand today are because we have people who do not have an income and/or that people are using monies that come from Government welfare. This issue to me at least is about who takes responsibility for where America goes. When I say Obama wants to take us on an express elevator to Euro style health care, can you defend that or is that genuinely what you want? If people want total assistance from the Government and do not want to work for what they want, for their education or even free thought then I truly do not recognize the country I grew up in.
Click to expand...

Going to work but want to quote this so I can respond to it later.


Anyway, good luck guys, whoever your candidate is.
 
D

deathkiller

Member
verbum said:
Chick Fil A closes on Sunday, do you think the faith based right wing would go for Sunday voting? And Saturday is Sabbath for the Jews. So I think it needs to be several weekdays.
Click to expand...
In Spain nuns vote on Sundays as do most faith based right wings. Participating in the elections is not considered working for them.
 
R

Rebel Leader

THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
I laughed at this tweet:

Kidrauhl. ‏@KidrauhlFeels

Why wouldnt America vote for Obama? His name rhymes with ohana and ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind of forgotten.
Click to expand...
 
D

Drkirby

Corporate Apologist
Arjen said:
Ok, thanks.
So how does that register to vote work? Do you have to de that once, or every election? What's the idea behind that proces? The way it works here, is that every body who is 18 get's their ballot in the mail, you take that and your ID and you can vote, easy as that.
Click to expand...

To start with, the Federal Government does not run elections at all. Noda. It is done entirely by State Governments.

As such, there are 50+ rules to being registered to vote, for every state and territory. In many, you have to sign up your self at 18, have to do it several months before the first election you can participate in, but often don't have any sort of renewal process, and is good as long as you don't move to anther state.

Some states do just send everyone a ballot though the mail though, and it really is my favorite option.
 
R

radioheadrule83

Banned
This guy should not stand a chance in any country on Earth...

have a word with anyone who is considering voting for this guy, no man of integrity changes his tune this frequently and blatantly. He's either lacking in conviction or he is a horrible liar and an opportunist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQwrB1vu74c&feature=related

I don't know how anyone could watch that and want to trust him with the running of the most powerful and influential position in a country that there is

Pctx said:
When I say Obama wants to take us on an express elevator to Euro style health care, can you defend that or is that genuinely what you want?
Click to expand...

He can't ever give the US Euro style healthcare because insurance companies are so balls deep in Washington, it's just not going to happen anytime soon...

but why shouldn't that be what people want? To not have to suffer financially, and often irreparably, at the hands of the emergency services when they are in crisis? The present US healthcare system is further harming and exploiting a lot of people in their hour of need.
 
K

Krowley

Member
deathkiller said:
In Spain nuns vote on Sundays as do most faith based right wings. Participating in the elections is not considered working for them.
Click to expand...

But I don't think they have NFL or anything like it over there. NFL makes Sunday voting a no-go in the US... Monday night football (and the fact that Mondays are stupid) makes Monday voting a no-go, so we default to Tuesday.
 
D

Dubbedinenglish

Banned
Arjen said:
Ok, thanks.
So how does that register to vote work? Do you have to de that once, or every election? What's the idea behind that proces? The way it works here, is that every body who is 18 get's their ballot in the mail, you take that and your ID and you can vote, easy as that.
Click to expand...
Every time you move you register to vote. As for mail in ballots, you can request one can mail it back before the election to vote. In thirty it should be as easy with polls open earlier for the week before or mailing in your vote but voting requirements vary from state to state. To do like what you say would require a Federal initiative to mandate strict uniform voting laws and the Federal goverment to take over all voter registration, a massive task to say the least.
 
R

Rebel Leader

THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
radioheadrule83 said:
This guy should not stand a chance any country on Earth...

have a word with anyone who is considering voting for this guy, no man of integrity changes his tune this frequently and blatantly. He's either lacking in conviction or he is a horrible liar and an opportunist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQwrB1vu74c&feature=related

I don't know how anyone could watch that and want to trust him with the running of the most powerful and influential position in a country that there is
Click to expand...


He scares the shit out of me.
 
Haunted

Haunted

Member
verbum said:
Aside from the football one, I think you have to be fair. Most of us acknowledge and respect other peoples' right to their beliefs. We may not agree with them but they exist.
Click to expand...
You're not disrespecting anyone's belief by putting voting on Sundays. A citizen's right (duty?) to vote should be a priority for everyone. We have religious people here, too, you know. They go vote on Sundays.
 
D

Drkirby

Corporate Apologist
Zeus Molecules said:
Out here waiting to vote in NY. Early voting needs to be made national
Click to expand...

I sent my ballet in two weeks ago. Florida actually has a really nice Absentee Ballot system, you fill out a short form on the internet, and they send you the ballot by mail a month before hand. Gives time to look over and minimal rush.
 
A

Arksy

Member
radioheadrule83 said:
This guy should not stand a chance in any country on Earth...

have a word with anyone who is considering voting for this guy, no man of integrity changes his tune this frequently and blatantly. He's either lacking in conviction or he is a horrible liar and an opportunist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQwrB1vu74c&feature=related

I don't know how anyone could watch that and want to trust him with the running of the most powerful and influential position in a country that there is



He can't ever give the US Euro style healthcare because insurance companies are so balls deep in Washington, it's just not going to happen anytime soon...

but why shouldn't that be what people want? To not have to suffer financially, and often irreparably, at the hands of the emergency services when they are in crisis? The present US healthcare system is further harming and exploiting a lot of people in their hour of need.
Click to expand...

Credibility of that video is zero. Wanting to overturn roe v wade is NOT the same as wanting to outlaw abortion.
 
A

Arksy

Member
radioheadrule83 said:
I don't think that particular issue is the point of the video, its the inconsistency or dishonesty demonstrated by the video clips taken as a whole
Click to expand...

Yes it is. You're basically making a representation that he's flip flopped on abortion by stating at one time that he values the right for a woman to choose and then contrasting it by saying he wants to overturn Roe v Wade.

They're not mutually exclusive political positions. To say that he's flip flopped on abortion is to assert a baseless assumption into the narrative.
 
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