Politics anyone? Another Poll

First let me say that I am not doing this with the intent of pushing any particular agenda, political party or candidate (my own candidate of choice is VanSmith for Supreme Dictator, but that isn't scheduled for 2012--or if it is we aren't telling).

I would ask that if you do post replies that you keep them civil, though I am not really looking for any replies, just votes in the attached poll.

What I am looking for (simple curiosity) is how the general membership of this forum is looking at the approaching US Presidential Election.


EDIT: And to our non-USA friends, by all means feel free to participate as if you were also allowed the choice.

I don't know if I can vote, since I'm not a US citizen

Interesting, over a hundred views and no votes. I know the members here aren't particularly shy about their viewpoints. Maybe I didn't do a good enough job explaining what I was asking for?

louishen said:

I don't know if I can vote, since I'm not a US citizen

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In this poll you are more than welcome to vote!

Well i am not a US Citizen, but i voted for Obama in your poll

Hoya88 said:

Well i am not a US Citizen, but i voted for Obama in your poll

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You are more than welcome.
This has been a crazy run-up to the election so far, and it doesn't show any signs of getting any less crazy.

Just interested to see the results and I won't say anymore than that (yet) because I don't want to do or say anything that might bias the end result.

I guess I just don't like any of the choices we have at this time I feel they all promise reform but its business as usual Monday morning and what ever lines the pockets of everyone but the working class goes through.

Three things that are volatile to discuss:

1. Religion

2. Politics

3. Van for supreme dictator

;P

chscag said:

Three things that are volatile to discuss:

1. Religion

2. Politics

3. Van for supreme dictator

;P

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Why do I have the Pinky and the Brain theme song looping in my head suddenly?

Razormac said:

First let me say that I am not doing this with the intent of pushing any particular agenda, political party or candidate (my own candidate of choice is VanSmith for Supreme Dictator, but that isn't scheduled for 2012--or if it is we aren't telling).

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The element of surprise is the key to successful world domination. If I told people when it was coming, people would be able to prepare.

chscag said:

Three things that are volatile to discuss:

1. Religion

2. Politics

3. Van for supreme dictator

;P

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I think that third option is a perfectly reasonable discussion topic.

Tough call in 2012... With the poll choices that were offered, I ended up going Republican. The caveat being if the Dem's were to primary Barry-O away with someone moderate (no idea who that would be) or if Dr. Paul were to strike out as an Independent (as he has done before), I'd be interested to see how things play out. That said, while the Republicans don't have anyone (with a chance) that impresses me this time around, I can't in good conscience assist in keeping the current occupier in office either.

Anyhow the vote then becomes, for me, a vote against a political mentality I disagree with instead of for a candidate who I am excited about - very sad and a poor way to choose an employee. Both parties have agendas that differ from mine for the most part, so I can only hope there is balance and that neither side takes both the Executive and Legislative branches. This time around, what's really at stake is which party gets to appoint SCOTUS Justices. The Liberals just had a few appointees, and the sitting Conservatives are getting old, so I'll likely vote for a more conservative POTUS based on that alone.

I don't expect the economy to turn around, the poor to be fed, the guilty to be punished, the wealth to be redistributed, the guns to be banned or anything else especially provocative to happen regardless of who wins. We the people let the country slide, we got lazy, and we are getting the government we allowed to happen. We gave up control and responsibility long ago. I'll give the Greeks some credit in that they are far more direct about expressing their frustration with their employees.

Thanks to all for making this a lot livelier and more interesting thread!

I was afraid it was going to turn out boring . . . . .

EDIT: I will let this percolate for a while before I say what I was really looking for . . . Will admit that so far I am unsurprised.

I am a Libertarian, but since no Libertarian has a realistic chance anytime soon, I will be voting for the Republican candidate...mostly for fiscal policy reasons.

It seems that I find myself agreeing with most of what Democratic people say, but I've had enough of this crap about the president being either Democratic or Republican. I'm voting for neither until we have a chance to vote for someone that isn't a puppet. Also, third party candidates are just failed Republicans and Democrats imo.

One thing I find interesting is how the media is trying to bury Cain 6 feet under. I guess he is a real threat to the corporations and elitists.

wavinwayne said:

I am a Libertarian, but since no Libertarian has a realistic chance anytime soon, I will be voting for the Republican candidate...mostly for fiscal policy reasons.

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If everyone takes that approach to voting, that party will never stand a chance. The only way they can actually gain ground is you vote for them.

And asking folk to complete that sort of poll does in fact poll their political preferences which they may not wish to share with you.

Voting Ron Paul whether he's the GOP nominated candidate, a third party, or if I have to write him in. I can't stomach voting for any warmongering puppet candidates.

harryb2448 said:

And asking folk to complete that sort of poll does in fact poll their political preferences which they may not wish to share with you.

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True, which is why I was really asking for votes rather than neccessarily comments. (Though I appreciate the comments)

Votes should be anonymous

EDIT: Now as to what this was all about, but a little background (hopefully not too boring) first.

1) I tend to be a social conservative and fiscal pragmistist, which has generally resulted in me voting for the Republican candidate dating back to Nixon's second term in office. This really isn't germane to the topic, but represents where I am if anyone cares (my personal bias).
2) Also, I'm a bit of a political junkie--I do have opinions on the issues and am interested in them, but on the whole am a LOT more interested in the process and how it progresses than the results. I will watch every presidential debate, monitor all of the primary returns and stay up most of the night on election day, and study the polls for months leading up to it, not because I am on pins and needles for the outcome, but because I find the event unfolding itself (the expression of public sentiment as steered and sometimes perverted by the political machines) to be fascinating.
3) Normally, I have somebody (or the prospect of somebody) that I feel reasonably good about voting for, but not this cycle. I feel like someone sitting down to dinner and finding their choices are a) cold liver soup or b) brocoli ice cream. Which leads me to what I was trying to get a sense of in this thread.


I was looking to see if the same disaffection and general dissatisfaction which I feel with what looks to be our choices this time is as widespread as I thought it to be. Based on comments and (I agree limited) poll results, I believe it is.

Anyway, that's it FWIW

Razormac said:

1) I tend to be a social conservative and fiscal pragmistist

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I'm interested to know what your take on fiscal pragmatism is since what is considered "pragmatic" is always going to be politically determined.

Razormac said:

2) Also, I'm a bit of a political junkie--I do have opinions on the issues and am interested in them, but on the whole am a LOT more interested in the process and how it progresses than the results. I will watch every presidential debate, monitor all of the primary returns and stay up most of the night on election day, and study the polls for months leading up to it, not because I am on pins and needles for the outcome, but because I find the event unfolding itself (the expression of public sentiment as steered and sometimes perverted by the political machines) to be fascinating.

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You would have loved our last election then. To say that the election and results were interesting would be an understatement. A brief summary for you (hooray for you, you're going to learn a little about Canadian federal politics). Prior to this election, this is how the parties stood in terms of seats in the House of Commons:


In this past election, the results were drastically different:


It took the Conservatives three elections to get a majority (you need 155 for a majority) after having lost two confidence motions in the Commons. The Liberals, who held power for 69 of the 100 years in the 20th century not only got defeated but lost the status as official opposition to the NDP who were the perennial fourth place party. The BQ, a party that runs only in Quebec (and because of this, can tailor their platform accordingly giving them strong support in the province) got clobbered and lost official party status while the Green Party won their first ever seat. On top of this, the leader of the Liberals and BQ lost their own seats in the Commons. So, as you can see, it was quite the election and even if you don't care about Canadian politics, it is interesting the see the implosion of two parties and the unexpected rise of another. The political junkie in me loved how this past election was filled with unexpected results.

vansmith said:

I'm interested to know what your take on fiscal pragmatism is since what is considered "pragmatic" is always going to be politically determined. . . ..

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By this I mean that I am utterly unconcerned about "labels". The primary means of attack in today's environment seems to be to label a policy (example Obamacare) without delineating what is and isn't good about the policy or stance and without offering an alternative. Previously calling something communist was a good way to attach stigma to an idea without having to offer logical arguments.

I am literally willing to listen to any proposition and then weigh it on it's merits regardless of source.

In my opinion communism and socialism and most associated policies don't tend to work, not because they are inherently evil or because they are communistic, but because they tend to rely on man's inherent virtues rather than his vices. From this view, capitalism is better, not because it is inherently better, but because the basis for its function is practical and pragmatic, rather than idealistic.

As a result, I am open to trying almost anything that is logically presented, but am just as open to booting it out the door just as quick if it doesn't work out as planned.

vansmith said:

You would have loved our last election then. To say that the election and results were interesting would be an understatement. . . ..

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You are absolutely correct and I am going to have to widen my horizons . . . Fascinating!