You may have heard something about a presidential election in the US tomorrow? I thought it would be fun to see who the DW community predicts will win the thing. Cast your vote below, and don’t forget to hit the polls tomorrow!
[polldaddy poll=”6664997″]
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bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 2:14 pm
Hoping for an Obama win. Bracing myself for a Romney Presidency.
That so many can even think about voting for somebody who is so phony and so insincere as Romney has proven to be on the gay issue alone is a slap in the face. But, sadly, people in America are epic in their stupidity and maybe this country truly deserves everything that will thus come to it.
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 2:17 pm
Come to Canada! We have gay marriage, free health care and poutine.
*HmC* November 5, 2012, 2:22 pm
In ascending order of importance, of course. 😉
Lianne November 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
YES!!! I am in!! 🙂
othy November 5, 2012, 4:46 pm
Only if I can find a vegetarian version of poutine. I don’t eat meat, but I heart a good veggie gravy. And I found veggie poutine in Portland and I fell in love!
ScrambledMegss November 6, 2012, 9:56 am
We have fantastic vegetarian poutine in toronto!
the_optimist November 5, 2012, 3:09 pm
I actually agree with everything you’ve said, BGM. The things that I’ve heard out of people’s mouths regarding this election have just astounded me. Romney has been changing his tune from conservative to liberal to conservatively liberal to BRIGHT ORANGE (seriously, too much spray tanning, too little economic planning) since well before he even began his campaign. I’m disgusted, and I’m shocked that people are falling for his nonsense.
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:31 pm
I wish Obama would spend less time campaigning and more time presidenting. I love that he’s in Colorado giving speeches during the Sandy disaster.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:52 pm
Agree! Seeing any president on late night talk shows makes me nuts too. Or hearing their opinion on which Kardashion is better. Grr.
the_optimist November 5, 2012, 4:01 pm
Well, look, Obama’s made his mistakes for sure. But, honestly, and quite sadly, public appearances, including talk shows, are the way for many political candidates to get and keep their faces out there.
Also, as someone whose area was affected by Sandy, I have to say that I think Obama did a good job of making sure FEMA funds were and are accessible to those in need. Granted, the states could be doing a better job of distributing those funds, but again, that’s up to the states. I mean, it’s the day before the election. Of course the guy’s going to campaign. That doesn’t mean he did nothing for people suffering through this natural disaster. Even Chris Christie hearts Obama right now.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 4:07 pm
Yeah, if EVEN Christie is saying nice things about Obama’s handling of Sandy — you know it was obviously handled well…
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 4:42 pm
I did say “any” but I can see why that was taken as only Obama. Also, I’m not talking about the day before the election. Obviously he has to campaign at some point and for some length of time, however, knowing whether he thinks Honey Boo Boo, scratch that, the fact that he even knows who Honey Boo Boo is bothers me and makes me wonder how on earth he has time to learn about such garbage when our country needs to be run really bothers me. Its not Obama only, I’d say the same for any president.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 4:46 pm
But doesn’t he get to have a night off too? I mean I know he is president but what if like Sasha loves Honey Boo Boo and thats why he knows who she is? Or maybe he is just trying to be relatable and not like a cyborge statue thing.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 4:54 pm
I mean, sure. There are plenty of reasons why he would know. It just bothers me.
rachel November 5, 2012, 5:35 pm
Actually I kind of like that he *does* know that stuff. I think the president should be able to relate to the American people. I mean, sure, I hope he spends more of his time reading reports from his advisors than watching reality tv, but he’s got to be a human being too.
lets_be_honest November 6, 2012, 9:31 am
Yea, I know a lot of people feel that way…I mean, like that he does know that kinda stuff.
Amber November 5, 2012, 6:18 pm
Yes he’s President, but he’s also a Dad and a Husband.
And if it’s going to bother you, shouldn’t that be directed at the tv host or reporter who asks such a ridiculous question?
lets_be_honest November 6, 2012, 9:37 am
Well, no, not in my opinion. I don’t hold a reporter to the same standards as our President. Just because a reporter asks whether he wears boxers or briefs doesn’t mean I think that the president should entertain or have time for such a dumb question.
bittergaymark November 6, 2012, 2:04 pm
Honey Boo Boo represents ALL that is wrong with America. Vote with your remotes and make this trash go the fuck away…
lets_be_honest November 6, 2012, 2:12 pm
Wait, Mark…you used to say the Kardashians were. So which is it? I can’t handle all this flip flopping dammit! 😉
bittergaymark November 6, 2012, 2:27 pm
Clearly, Honey Boo Boo is the “NEW” Kim Kartrashian. Kim, how does it feel? You’ve been replaced with your intellectual equal at long last — a borderline retarded, inbred child who is just years away from making her own sex tape…?
Sue Jones November 5, 2012, 4:17 pm
Actually he suspended campaigning during the Sandy disaster and was lauded at how well he responded and handled Sandy in contrast to how Bush handled Katrina (any of you old enough to remember that Bush fiasco?). And he is set up so he can work and hold meetings while on Air Force One. Between speeches he is on it! But for folks who don’t like him, he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. During the first debate he was preoccupied with his day job so wasn’t aggressive enough and people gave him shit for that. And when he came back aggressive in the 2nd and 3rd debate he was “too aggressive” and the moderator was “unfair”. It is all just spin. I just hope he wins again because I don’t think this country can handle any more of the policies of the GOP. Romney is just a windbag of lies lies lies. And he is especially bad for women!
Something More November 6, 2012, 8:36 am
So, whoever is running against the President should get to campaign for years while the President just sits back and watches? That seems like a pretty shitty deal. I think Obama did a good job of juggling the two, especially when he can pretty much take his entire office with him anywhere aboard Air Force One.
landygirl November 6, 2012, 12:36 pm
He is presidenting, he never stops.
Lianne November 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
I can’t even brace myself…I am seriously scared for this country if Romney wins!
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 2:38 am
Yet, Romney’s position now is exactly the same as Obama’s was four years ago. At that time, were you equally nervous about Obama? The gay marriage non-issue has become such a phony red herring on both sides, that it’s certainly not surprising that any candidate would seem “insincere”. The economy, the war, immigration – it’s ludicrous that these much more substantive issues are literally being drowned out by gay marriage.
landygirl November 6, 2012, 12:35 pm
What koolaid have you been drinking?
Fabelle November 5, 2012, 2:26 pm
I’m afraid to guess because I don’t want to jinx it. I just want to say…please guys, don’t vote Romney in.
Diablo November 5, 2012, 2:29 pm
@lemongrass – yes, and we also have Stephen Harper, who is working just as hard as Romney to undo all of those freedoms we cherish, and generally show no respect for the rules of government or the will of the people. Stare into his eyes for a few seconds. You’ll see the dragon.
PS – I have no data on his views on poutine.
Taylor November 5, 2012, 3:28 pm
What is poutine?
Jessibel5 November 5, 2012, 3:39 pm
OMG, it’s one of the greatest thing ever. There are slightly differing ways to make it, but most often they way I see it is French Fries, slathered in duck gravy/fat and a huge helping of cheese (most often I see Mozzarella or Fontina) and thrown in the oven to melt and get yummy. My first experience with it was actually at a McDonalds in Canada, in Quebec City. Most recently I ate it at a Gastropub in Maryland.
Taylor November 5, 2012, 3:57 pm
That sounds magical and delicious. Now I’m hungry!
Pamplemousse Rose November 5, 2012, 4:03 pm
Real poutine should use cheese curds. The best poutine I’ve ever had was made with french fries fried in duck fat and the gravy infused with truffle oil.
Riefer November 5, 2012, 5:54 pm
I was just going to say, has to be cheese curds. Not regular cheese. 🙂
Jessibel November 5, 2012, 8:22 pm
Unfortunately it’s very hard to find cheese curds around here! 🙁 I had two friends go to Minnesota recently on separate trips and neither of them could find a bag of them for me! That part of the US is cheese curd country, so I have no clue why they couldn’t find them!! I adore cheese curds…yum, getting hungry.
Amber November 5, 2012, 4:39 pm
“who is working just as hard as Romney to undo all of those freedoms we cherish”
In what way? He had one free vote on reopening the gay marriage debate, it was shot down, and he dropped it. And he has been continuously determined NOT to bring up the abortion issue.
Riefer November 5, 2012, 6:05 pm
He doesn’t bring up abortion, but he’s fine with the ministers in his party doing it. And he’s such a control freak that it seems incredibly unlikely that they’d bring their motions forward without his knowledge. Not to mention that when he was in charge of the maternal care initiative for the G8, one of his main planks was to not give support to any organization that offered abortions. Initially he didn’t even want to include contraception! If the country would support him, he would definitely outlaw abortion here, it’s clear from his actions.
Not to mention the other anti-woman things he’s done. He removed the right to equal pay from federal employees. Removed the right to equal pay!!!!! What the fucking fuck? And no one seems to even care. He also removed funding for court challenges regarding equal pay. So if you’re a non-federal employee, you’re still technically entitled to equal pay for equal work, but you’ll have to pay the court fees yourself. And if you can’t afford it, well tough shit. Not the government’s problem to make sure your rights are upheld, I guess.
In addition, he closed 12 of the 16 Status of Women Canada offices, whose job was to keep tabs on women’s equality in different areas of the country. He removed the phrase “gender equality” from the mandate of the Status of Women Canada, which was really the whole point of their existence. The woman he appointed to be Minister of Status of Women is anti-choice, and supported the recent motion to re-open the abortion debate.
What has he done, indeed. And those are only the things that specifically affect women. He’s done plenty of other crap, starting with the in and out scandal which helped him get elected. Sorry, but you have your head in the sand if you’re Canadian and you’re not aware of these things.
Anna November 5, 2012, 2:31 pm
You know, there are other candidates on the ballot besides Obama and Romney. And Big Bird is not on the ballot. The general lack of respect for third party candidates is just one of the things tearing our country down. Obama and Romney are both puppets; no matter which one you vote for, you are choosing evil. Tomorrow morning I will be casting my ballot for Gary Johnson 2012!
Hate all you want, this is important to me.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 2:34 pm
The lack of a viable third party candidate is a huge sign of what’s wrong with America. This will NEVER change until we take money out of politics…
bethany November 5, 2012, 3:05 pm
Totally agree… It’s so sad that we only have 2 *real* choices. I’m registered Independent, and I don’t feel like there’s a candidate who really represents my views.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 2:38 pm
I agree on the lesser of two evils concept. However, I have to say I feel like a vote for a third party candidate is kind of a wasted vote. I know people say no vote is a waste and all that, but realistically, I feel like it is. Thoughts?
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 2:40 pm
It totally is. They’re never going to win. It’s a sad reality but true. I think I align closer to the third party candidates, but I always end up choosing between the two evils. I sent my mail in ballot in two weeks ago. So the political ads annoy me more than ever now, since there’s no swaying my vote, haha. So if you care one way or the other between Romney and Obama you should vote for one of the two.
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 2:48 pm
Yeah, I don’t really know how to change the current system but the likelihood of a third party candidate winning is slim to none. I definitely find myself agreeing more with the third party candidates but even if more people in the US stood up to the current system and the popular vote went to a third party candidate would the Electoral college follow them? Do they have to? I tried reading more about it but I found myself really wishing I had paid better attention in my US government class!
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 2:51 pm
I think most people would align more with the third party candidates because they tend to be more moderate and common sense orientated. It seems like republican candidates are very right wing republican when the average republican is moderate republican – and same thing for democrat candidates. But the candidates need to be sensational and extreme to get the funding they need for their election. The whole process is really gross to me.
KKZ November 5, 2012, 4:19 pm
OK, so is voting a matter of voicing your opinion on the country’s leadership – or picking the candidate you feel is likely to win?
True, votes for third-party candidates get buried by the votes for the two major parties. But just because their candidates aren’t likely to win doesn’t mean they shouldn’t bother running or campaigning, or that people shouldn’t bother voting for them.
The only way out of the two-party system is to continue to give support to third-party candidates, instead of writing off the effort as a waste and picking from the two major parties because you feel that’s the only way your vote will matter.
Red_Lady November 5, 2012, 7:34 pm
“OK, so is voting a matter of voicing your opinion on the country’s leadership – or picking the candidate you feel is likely to win? ”
Perfect!! That is exactly why I voted for a 3rd party in this election. I live in an extremely blue state, so it’s pretty much a given that Obama will win here. Just in that sense, my vote for president doesn’t really count – Obama will win no matter who I vote for. However, I’m hoping that by voting for a 3rd party, it’ll help show that we should have more than 2 viable choices. If enough people vote 3rd party, we can start to move out of the 2-party system.
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 3:02 pm
Eh, in most states all votes are wasted votes. I live in Texas. I can vote for Obama, Big Bird, Mickey Mouse, Gary Johnson, or my big toe but this is a red state. The idea of our electoral votes going to anyone but Romney is laughable. And if you don’t live in a swing state, then it’s the same for you. Your electoral votes are already decided.
The electoral college does what it was intending to do. Minimizes the will of the masses.
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:04 pm
What are the swing states this year?
ktfran November 5, 2012, 3:06 pm
Ohio is a huge swing state this year. Most likely, it will decide the outcome.
Kris_ November 5, 2012, 3:18 pm
Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia and Florida
Taylor November 5, 2012, 3:31 pm
The ads are particularly brutal in the swing states. I was in CO about a month ago, and listening to my favorite Spanish language station, and I couldn’t believe what was being said. Actual translations “Why don’t the democrats want success for children”, “The democrats support abortion. They want our vote, but not our children”.
Brutal!
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
Yeah that’s a good point. I might hate election season more than the average voter because I live in Colorado. I want to kick both Romney and Obama out of our borders for the next 4 years. They both keep visiting. It’s like GET OUT OF MY LIFE. Biden gave a speech at my sister in laws high school the other day though which I guess is cool.
applescruffs November 5, 2012, 5:20 pm
Their damn motorcades keep making me late for things!
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:49 pm
The stuff they say down here in FL is pretty ridiculous too. I can’t think of any examples at the moment but I often just shake my head at the TV. And, if I get any more political crap in my mailbox I am going to flip. I hate wasting paper and I don’t know how to stop these ridiculous flyers. I swear I got 15 last week in the mail. So annoying.
I did get to see Michelle Obama speek though so that was a pretty sweet plus to being in a swing state.
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 3:20 pm
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map.html
You can also use the map to guess what states will go to who and see how that affects the outcome. Its kinda fun (or scary) to play.
Sue Jones November 5, 2012, 4:27 pm
Colorado is a swing state! I am so getting in my liberal friends’ faces here who are voting 3rd party! Don’t they remember the fiasco that Nader caused in 2000? I partly blame Nader supporters (and the SCOTUS) for the horrible disaster of the Bush years! It is my opinion that had Gore won, like he should have since he won the popular vote and all, that 9/11 probably would have never happened because Gore would have been on top of all the CIA intelligence that was received regarding the imminent attacts, we would not have gone to war on 2 fronts, and we would not have squandered the 5T dollar SURPLUS we had! The deregulation on the housing mortgage market would not have happened so we would not have had the near economic collapse that we had in 2008. 3rd party candidates often have terrible unintended consequences, just like “following your HEART” without using your brain does in relationships! I feel better now, thank you!
Jessibel5 November 5, 2012, 3:48 pm
I live in MD, which is a tried and true blue state, and agree with you that my vote for president “doesn’t count” exactly, but I went to vote FOR question 6, which is the gay marriage referendum. I want that baby made into a law!!! (well, it already was, and then the opponents got enough signatures (barely) on a petition to get it put on the ballot) Hoping that MD is the first state to vote for it into law! What sucks is there have been reports that the opponents to question 6 have been taking advantage of the confusing wording of the measure and telling people that a vote AGAINST question 6 is actually a vote saying “yes” to gay marriage, which is the opposite. That kind of obfuscation makes me absolutely see red. I’m not sure how much of that was done, but if it did happen, it would mean there are some pretty sucky people in this world!
This year is also projected to be the first year since Spiro Agnew lost the election that a sitting governor will NOT win the electoral votes of his own state, MA is pretty solidly blue.
fivethirtyeight blog is something I’ve been obsessively checking. Nate Silver was only wrong on one state in the last election. I’m hoping his predictions are correct!
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 4:14 pm
Ok, this is true. It was directed entirely at the presidential election. Certainly on local and (sometimes) state issues, you do count!
I’m pretty bitter about how stupid rural Texans are. That’s all.
painted_lady November 5, 2012, 4:46 pm
A-fucking MEN. Though I think it generally applies to a lot of people isolated in rural areas. But yeah, it’s so frustrating that we live in the 3rd largest city in the nation, this city votes blue, and yet thanks to Billy Bob in Podunkville USA, we count for nothing.
And also, we get lumped in with Billy Bob, no matter what we say or do. Anytime someone makes a Bush dig, I just want to throw up. I didn’t want him for governor – Ann Richards was my homegirl – and I CERTAINLY didn’t want him for President.
Jessibel November 5, 2012, 8:27 pm
It’s very similar in Virginia, which is being lauded as the “key to this election” (omg, gag me with a spoon if I have to hear that one more time…) Northern Virginia (NOVA) is pretty solidly blue, but it’s the rest of the state (quite a bit of it rural) that is red. The general consensus in NOVA is that they HATE the rest of the state for that, especially around election time. I can’t tell you how many friends I have who live in NOVA that just want the state to go blue so they could “stick it to the rednecks” (their words).
Anna November 5, 2012, 4:42 pm
It’s not if that vote truly represents your beliefs. Isn’t the point of voting to represent what you believe? Like many have said, most people align better with a 3rd party than with the blue or the red. If all of those people took a stand and voted honestly without that “lesser of two evils” perspective, we could actually change some shit and make it better.
MJ November 5, 2012, 2:43 pm
This is great for your principles, Anna, but there are real differences between Romney and Obama (a major one being the difference for BGM and our other LGBT friends, as well as our own reproductive rights). And you live in a swing state, so that matters.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 2:45 pm
Just out of curiosity Anna; who you would pick if you had to chose between Obama and Romney?
SarahKat November 5, 2012, 2:50 pm
OMG PLEASE DON’T INVITE RON PAUL INTO THIS.
SarahKat November 5, 2012, 2:52 pm
Sorry, gg, I thought you said “other than” instead of “between” like in a dream libertarian scenario. I am so trigger happy when it comes Ron Paul stuff.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:00 pm
No worries 🙂 That guy is nuts.
Anna November 5, 2012, 3:29 pm
If I absolutely had to choose between Obama and Romney, I would choose Obama because I could never ever ever vote for Romney. My state is a major swing state but I think Obama will take Ohio again because he has the major urban areas like Cincinnati and Cleveland.
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 5:06 pm
But what if he doesn’t. What if Obama loses Ohio by 500 votes, and write in candidates get 600 votes? (Numbers are arbitrary). Third party candidates have a chance to majorly hose an election.
Lindsay November 5, 2012, 2:51 pm
I wish that the other parties had more of a say and, at the very least, could influence people to look at other issues that the Democrats and Republicans are ignoring. That being said, Obama honestly does reflect my beliefs more than any of the third-party candidates, so I’m happy to be voting for him. Even if neither party is perfect (and none of the other parties are either, for that matter), there are still big differences between the two.
Grilledcheesecalliope November 5, 2012, 3:28 pm
This is how i feel. I understand both sides of the two party system argument, but in 08 and this.year(more this year, i have a soft spot for Mcain) I honestly don’t feel like I’m voting the lesser of two evils. I don’t agree with everything President Obama does or says but I don’t expect that with any President.
MaterialsGirl November 5, 2012, 3:58 pm
Soft spot for McCain.. Oh McCain why why why did you pick the crazy lady?
ktfran November 5, 2012, 4:09 pm
I had a soft spot for him too.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 4:09 pm
Some good came of it. I enjoyed that HBO movie after all.
MaterialsGirl November 5, 2012, 4:16 pm
I still like the guy. Defending Huma against crazy bachmann.. Classy
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 4:24 pm
I do too, actually. But that was a good movie.
ktfran November 5, 2012, 4:44 pm
Have any of you read Game Change? I know the movie focused on McCain and Palin, but 3/4’s of the book was about Obama/Clinton. It’s a pretty fascinating read. It was like a freaking soap opera.
applescruffs November 5, 2012, 5:22 pm
I LOVED it. It was completely insane and fascinating.
lets_be_honest November 6, 2012, 9:50 am
No, I should though. thanks!
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 4:17 pm
My thought’s exactly. He was the best candidate we’ve had my (admittedly short) voting life. Until Palin.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 4:32 pm
My parents, life-long Republicans, LEFT the party because of Palin. And voted for Obama. My dad also said that he was frustrated by the War and all the money blown on it by the supposedly fiscally conservative Republicans… But Palin drove both my parents absolutely nuts. I think Palin may have helped Obama win in many ways…
I also thought that poor McCain went a little NUTS after losing to Bush 2. He had some whacked out positions in 2008 that seemed out of character for him. And yet — I do often wonder what would have happened had he been nominated over George W. Had McCain won — and in 2000, I really thought he was an amazing candidate, I’d have still gone for Gore, but I wouldn’t have been devastated had McCain won… But from the get-go, I fucking LOATHED Bush 2. He was the Tori Spelling of Presidents. An idiot who got there on name-power alone. Nepotism at its absolute worst…
Had McCain won? Well, I think things would have turned out much differently. Now that so much more is known about how Bush 2’s White House dropped the ball on preventing 9/11, I often wonder if that would have even happened under anybody else. I often think McCain would have been more on top of things… I also remain unconvinced that we’d have gone to war in Iraq. Yes, the world would indeed be VERY different.
rachel November 5, 2012, 4:53 pm
I actually used to really like McCain. He used to be so moderate and reasonable.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 5:07 pm
Yeah, me too. And then he LOST to Bush and went wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more conservative.
MaterialsGirl November 5, 2012, 5:11 pm
Yeah that adopting the bush campaign strategy for 08 was jut blame dumb and not the straight talk express maverick man. Oo good lord that would have been awesome having him in the 00’s. But the bush family is a powerful one.
Grilledcheesecalliope November 5, 2012, 5:31 pm
He could have taken the nomination in 2004 and i honestly think things could have been better and the wars even shorter.
Riefer November 5, 2012, 6:09 pm
He completely gave up his principles for the 08 election. He was like a whole different man. Very sad legacy to leave, right near the end of his career. I wonder if he has time to turn it around.
FireStar November 5, 2012, 7:01 pm
Nope. He is worse this election season. Sad. You should hear some of the robo-calls he has recorded.
TaraMonster November 5, 2012, 2:53 pm
Yeah. But she’s only including the ones in the poll who have a chance of winning.
I agree that a viable third party would be lovely, but that change isn’t going to come by people voting for a third party. We’d have to make drastic changes to the legislation around the way campaigns are funded to even have a prayer of a viable third party emerging. Especially considering the electoral college isn’t going to go anywhere (unless the Right gets bit in the ass by it too). So vote for people who support campaign reform. On the presidential level, especially in a swing state, a third party vote is a wasted vote right now.
Fabelle November 5, 2012, 3:00 pm
This pretty much sums up my thoughts, as well– voting for a third party isn’t going to be the thing that gets the third party acknowledged. So basically, yeah. Voting for Gary Johnson is like sending your vote into oblivion.
fallonthecity November 6, 2012, 7:34 pm
What? No. I don’t live in a swing state (hah – Alabama) but even if I did, I’d vote for whichever candidate my views most align with, most usually a third party candidate – and it wouldn’t be wasted. Why? Because until we start throwing percentage points behind reasonable politicians, the Dems and Repubs will continue to do what they’re doing… because it keeps getting them votes. Even if a major third party will never be viable, if Libertarians (for example) get enough support, maybe the major parties will sit up and pay attention to some of the issues they are pushing and possibly adopt some of that platform – or at least acknowledge that those issues are important to a chunk of Americans. Maybe not everyone agrees about that, but a vote for Gary Johnson was a heck of a lot better than a write-in for Obi Wan Kenobi… which is what I probably would have done if Obama and Romney were the only ones on the ballot!
Samantha November 5, 2012, 3:05 pm
I agree, Anna. I’m tired of feeling like I have to make a dishonest, upsetting choice at the polls, and I tend to go Green because if we don’t have a sustainable environment, everything else is pretty pointless.
However, if I lived in a swing state, I might vote for a primary candidate (Obama because I’m a woman with gay friends) just because I feel like I’d have more of a say.
Daisy November 5, 2012, 3:09 pm
Don’t blame me… I voted for Kodos!
Guy Friday November 5, 2012, 3:45 pm
I’m so glad someone posted this, because as soon as I saw Anna’s comment, I immediately heard this in my mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAT_BuJAI70
daisy November 6, 2012, 4:06 am
Yay, I’m glad you knew what I was talking about!
kare November 5, 2012, 11:09 pm
YES!!!! Sorry it was just Halloween so I watched all of the Treehouse of Horrors episodes…
SarahKat November 5, 2012, 3:21 pm
As someone who spent the early 2000’s getting digs about voting for Green Party candidates, I do get what you’re saying, but I have to disagree, at least when it comes to the national campaign. The fact is that the only real importance third party presidential candidates have had in history is to split other candidates’ votes, or highlight a growing trend in history after the fact, like with socialism and Eugene V debs, or with George Wallace, etc etc. Even Teddy Roosevelt only created the Bull Moose party to split Republicans.
I absolutely prefer to vote in a two-party mindset for a presidential campaign and vote locally third party, where success is much more likely. Just because they are watered down by trying to appease as many voters as possible (which is MUCH MORE a comment of how we fund presidential and congressional campaigns in this country than it is about a two party system) doesn’t mean there isn’t reform in the system. For instance, President Obama supporting Gay Marriage is something that would never have gotten him or anyone else elected even 4 years ago, and now it has become a welcome staple in the Democratic platform.
Kate B. November 5, 2012, 6:55 pm
I posted this in one of the forums, but I’ll repeat it here because it sums up my feelings on the current state of politics in America: I am a registered Democrat, but I wasn’t always. I used to be independent. I would follow my conscience when I voted, regardless of party. Then, George Bush came along. Even though I can support a lot of what the libertarians say about hands-off government and might even vote for a libertarian candidate, I realized that in this country, at the present time at least, the battle is between the Democrats and the Republicans, with no real room for a third party, or a fourth or a fifth. And so, I registered as a Democrat and will vote that way in this election and any other, because I do not want the Republicans in power and the best way to defeat them is to support the Democrats. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” is my voting mantra now, largely thanks to G.W. I realize this is not the best way to choose a President, but at the moment, it’s the only way I can see.
CatsMeow November 5, 2012, 11:21 pm
Yeahhh… Jill Stein is not even on the ballot in Missouri.
Something More November 6, 2012, 8:39 am
I absolutely agree, Anna. I was pretty surprised the choices given in this “poll,” and pretty disappointed, at that.
I voted for Obama this morning, but I’d still like to see the third party recognized and respected more.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 2:32 pm
Poutine? Just goggled it. Sounds interesting…
Katie November 5, 2012, 2:38 pm
It’s delicious- I’ve been to Montreal once and I’ll vouch for it!
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 2:50 pm
It’s amazing. Cheese makes everything better.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:01 pm
I’m still super jealous, and I still haven’t figured out how I can get cheese curds to make it at home. I guess I’ll just have to come visit you in Canada!
Riefer November 5, 2012, 6:10 pm
You have to live near a cheese factory, usually. Cheese curds are best when fresh, there’s no point buying them after a couple of days. Otherwise you might be out of luck.
Samantha November 5, 2012, 2:59 pm
You can try some at Cafe Soleil on Westwood Blvd., BGM. It’s pretty delicious.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 3:22 pm
I rarely get over to Westwood these days, but I will put that in my back pocket for when it next happens… 🙂
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:02 pm
Never heard of it either. Reminds me of irish nachos a little. YUM!
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:05 pm
It’s so good. I feel like we’ve talked about poutines an outrageous amount on DW and for good reason. That and ketchup chips make me miss the motherland.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 3:51 pm
Honestly, I’m baffled that I’ve never heard of it till now… It definitely sounds like its right up my alley… Yum.
Addie Pray November 5, 2012, 3:27 pm
Ahhh poutines. I had my first this summer. Fries smothered in gravy and cheese … Heaven (and a heart attack) in a bowl.
ScrambledMegss November 5, 2012, 4:02 pm
I got breakfast poutine at brunch yesterday and it was unreal. Next time you visit I will take you!
rachel November 5, 2012, 5:13 pm
Breakfast poutine??? That sounds like something I would want to eat for every meal
Addie Pray November 5, 2012, 6:25 pm
Oh. Em. Gee. Breakfast poutine…. genius! I am thinking about mixing those fries in runny yolk…. The only thing I can think of that would be better is taking the breakfast poutine and dumping it in the middle of a large tortilla and rolling it up and stuffing it all in my face in one bite. THAT THERE IS PROBABLY WHAT HEAVEN IS LIKE!!!!
katie November 5, 2012, 2:41 pm
have you all heard about the Redskins Rule? if the redskins win their home game before the election, the sitting president stays in office, if they lose, he leaves.
sadly, the Redskins lost, apparently.
the only time this theory has proven untrue was the bush/florida circus, where everyone thinks that bush stole the white house anyway, so its really just further evidence that he did!
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 2:46 pm
I have. And my fiance is a Panthers fan but an Obama supporter. It was a day of mixed emotions in our house.
rachel November 5, 2012, 3:01 pm
Haha, it’s okay. XKCD had a comic recently about all of the “A president that ___ has never won the election” throughout history. And of course there is always something you can say like that and it will be proven wrong eventually.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:01 pm
Since you bring up the infamous Chads…have you heard that you don’t need ID to vote in PA and you can fax or email your vote in NJ apparently, because of the hurricane? Seems crazy to me. And asking for trouble.
ps Hi Katie!
katie November 5, 2012, 3:03 pm
hey LBH! glad to see you back!! haha how have you been?
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:42 pm
Good! Missed all of you.
rachel November 5, 2012, 3:04 pm
Only about half of the states have voter ID laws. It’s actually pretty screwed up that you could be prevented from voting because you haven’t paid the money to get a state ID.
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:08 pm
yeah that’s messed up but I also think there needs to be some way to cut down on the fraud capabilities if you don’t have regulation with the polls. Florida – I’m talking to you.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:21 pm
Ugh this is my first year voting in FL and I have no idea what to expect. I’m bring like 5 different forms of ID when I go at the asscrack of dawn tomorrow and hopefully I get through. Apparently there were 4 to 9 hour lines in some districts during early voting.
Something More November 6, 2012, 8:46 am
There’s been, like, 9 cases of in-person fraud ever. The ID stuff is just another way to keep people from voting.
katie November 6, 2012, 9:20 am
and, no cases have ever ended in someone actually casting a fruadulent vote- so its never even “swayed” an election, either.
iwannatalktosampson November 6, 2012, 10:39 am
http://kdvr.com/2012/11/05/close-race-in-colorado-increases-fears-of-election-fraud/
Just food for thought y’all. I didn’t even check what’s going on in other states. But you’re right. I’m sure only 9 cases ever.
GatorGirl November 6, 2012, 11:27 am
They questioned my signature in person this morning. I was allowed to vote but a few people in front of me were pulled aside to talk to other poll workers. (We’re in FL btw.)
iwannatalktosampson November 6, 2012, 11:29 am
I’m glad to hear that. I mean not that you had trouble but they’re actually taking this seriously.
jlyfsh November 6, 2012, 11:39 am
yeah they were taking it very seriously where i voted too. there was a pre-check to make sure you had the appropriate form of id(s) and then the real check where they took your id to look you up in the system.
we voted at a church and the quilting group had a bake sale after. cash is the one thing i didn’t think to take with me to vote! it killed me to not be able to buy anything from the very adorable, little old ladies.
FireStar November 6, 2012, 11:48 am
I think there is a real issue about trying to disenfranchise people. The billboards in urban areas trying to intimidate people with voter fraud prison terms, the letters sent to people in predominantly black and Hispanic neighbourhoods to tell them to show up at the polls on Wednesday or telling them they should vote at polling stations that are not their own and the letters sent to some Republicans in Florida telling them to bring sufficient ID to prove their citizenship. Those allegations of fraud are significant and the FBI is investigating. The voter ID in person fraud – someone going into a polling station and pretending to be someone else – the impetus behind the new voter ID requirements some states tried to pass – those case number 10 since 2000. And that number is reported by the Carnegie and Knight foundation – which is bipartisan. No offence – but Fox News isn’t… so quoting them isn’t really helpful. Neither is quoting MSNBC. It used to be that you could trust the “news” but these days you have to do your own research to find the truth. I really miss Walter Cronkite and the days when you couldn’t even tell which way a journalist would vote.
iwannatalktosampson November 6, 2012, 12:01 pm
I miss those days too. But are you saying you can trust liberal media? Because that’s a joke too. And I’m not happy about that type of fraud either. But going to vote electronically and picking one person and having it show up as another – that’s a problem.
FireStar November 6, 2012, 12:19 pm
I said you can’t quote MSNBC either and to research to make sure you get an accurate portrayal of facts. If you are asking do I think all media outside of FOXNEWS is “the liberal media machine” – no I don’t. There is a lot of bias out there – but also a lot of accurate and fair reporting too. It used to be incumbent on journalists to provide it to us – now it is incumbent on us to find it on our own. I agree malfunctioning machines are definitely a problem – a problem thankfully that they can catch quickly – but I can’t call that fraud until someone proves intent to disenfranchise and not some mechanical error.
iwannatalktosampson November 6, 2012, 12:27 pm
I agree – but if the machine was malfunctioning where when someone selected Obama they got Romney why do I have a feeling the argument that it was the man trying to keep them down? Then it would be a conspiracy.
FireStar November 6, 2012, 12:59 pm
I think anyone advocating conspiracy around every corner without any proof is a fool – no matter who you vote for today!
iseeshiny November 6, 2012, 3:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdpGd74DrBM
There are machines malfunctioning in that way.
Something More November 6, 2012, 1:48 pm
Just because there is fear of voter fraud doesn’t mean it’s happening. And I specifically said in-person voter fraud for a reason. Have a read.
“News21 reporters also reached out to election personnel in all 50 states, requesting information on every single reported case of alleged fraud at the polls. The organization’s analysis of 2,068 cases found only 10 related to impersonation. Using those figures, the frequency of poll impersonation is about one in 15 million.”
katie November 6, 2012, 1:59 pm
did you guys hear about how romney and his whole family supposedly own one of the major companies that counts the votes or makes the machines to vote or whatever? i find it really scary that a candidate does that… i feel like they should not use any of “his” company’s machines. thats too close for me…
theattack November 6, 2012, 3:19 pm
Yes!!!!! I read some article about that, but I think I was a little tipsy and didn’t have the attention span to keep up with it. Isn’t it supposedly tied to the 2000 election machines somehow too?
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:19 pm
Wow, didn’t know that. How do you prove who you are though? That’s crazy to me to be honest. And obviously agree with Iwanna, below, re: fraud.
rachel November 5, 2012, 3:27 pm
Well when you register to vote (which is free) you get a voter id card. So while it’s not a picture id, there would still be a one-to-one ratio, one registration, one vote. People have done research looking for voter fraud of the kind that ids would prevent (people trying to vote multiple times I guess?) and found very little of it.
I think there are likely way more problems with fraud in the actual polls (yep, clearly Florida is the example haha) than with individual voters.
MJ November 5, 2012, 3:13 pm
You’ve never needed ID to vote in PA. This was the first year they tried to pass a really strict law about showing ID and it was hugely controversial, mostly because voter fraud isn’t a big problem and also because one of the main lawmakers who passed it congratulated his fellow lawmakers on handing PA to Romney.
I’ve voted in PA since 2004. Basically you go in to your polling place, tell them your name, they look it up in the book and you sign next to it. It’s simple and effective.
katie November 5, 2012, 3:15 pm
did you see any of the Colbert Report about voter fraud when all those bills were popping up? god it was so funny…
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:14 pm
LBH, Do you live in PA?
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:20 pm
Hi !! No, I don’t. This is all news to me, which makes me feel pretty dumb to be honest. I had no idea about not having to show IDs.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:26 pm
When I was in PA recently I kept seeing these hysterical TV ads…”When you go to vote on November 6th you will be asked to show a photo ID, but you do not have to produce one.” Why bother asking then??
bethany November 5, 2012, 3:44 pm
I think just to prep people for future years, in case this law does eventually pass. It’s a big deal, especially to some of the older voters who have voted for 60+ years and never had to show ID, and who may not have a valid photo ID anymore.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:59 pm
Yeah, that makes sense I guess. You’ve probably seen the commercial I’m talking about…it is just so weirdly worded and awkward. I only voted in PA one election but it was absentee so I really have no experience there but my mom says it’s been a pretty painless experience her whole life. But we also live in a tiny community so they know all the poll workers and such.
landygirl November 5, 2012, 3:12 pm
You can’t base things on what happened because history doesn’t always repeat itself.
shanshantastic November 5, 2012, 3:21 pm
If you correct it to “wins the popular vote” rather than “stays in office”, the pattern holds true. Who’s up for a 2000-style Electoral College win?
rachel November 5, 2012, 3:29 pm
I actually wouldn’t be at all surprised if Romney won the popular vote with Obama winning the electoral college.
ginevrah November 5, 2012, 3:33 pm
Apparently there’s a ton of those, including if Alabama wins then the incumbent wins. So, we got that one? And the Halloween masks, etc.
This cracked article had a whooole bunch of them: http://www.cracked.com/article_20139_6-bizarre-factors-that-predict-every-presidential-election.html
katie November 5, 2012, 4:06 pm
yes i read that!! haha i did see the redskins rule somewhere else as well, but all of those were very funny.
Kristen November 5, 2012, 2:58 pm
Elections are one of the times I love living in Ohio. It makes me feel like my vote matters even more than it already would.
I stood in line for over an hour on Saturday so I could vote early and not have to get up at the crack of dawn to go before work tomorrow. Totally worth it! And tomorrow night, I’ll be camped out on my couch eating sushi and praying for an Obama win.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:04 pm
Isn’t sushi a no-no for mama’s to be?
I likve in FL and personally I’m exhausted by the constant barrage of political crap that is on my tv and radio and all over people’s yards. I can’t watch a simple episode of Kathie Lee and Hoda with out seeing 45 different political ads slandering their opponents. Ugh it’s exhausting. Can’t I get a nice light toilet paper ad to go with my morning coffee?
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 3:06 pm
you can eat sushi if everything in it is cooked! 🙂
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:10 pm
Yep!!
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 3:23 pm
You can also eat the raw stuff as long as it has been frozen first- it kills all the bacteria. Don’t know about the states, but in Canada it legally has to be flash frozen first, so all sushi here is A-okay. I love raw sushi, but being pregnancy I don’t really want to eat it anyways. Dynamite roll though- delish!
On the cheese- you can’t have unpasteurized dairy. Some soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, etc. are traditionally made with unpasteurized milk but are actually really hard to find in Canada/USA. Just read the label and you are okay. I don’t eat the rind of brie right now because it is mould although I don’t know if it is actually harmful or just my imagination.
You can also have 2-3 cups of coffee a day with no harm to baby, I personally have a little bit of wine on occasion, and sex won’t hurt the baby (although you may not feel like it anyways).
I hope that clears a couple things up!
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:28 pm
Great summary! And yeah, luckily sex is still perfectly fine 😉
katie November 5, 2012, 3:09 pm
i read a whole thing in the NYtimes (i think…) about how the raw fish thing is really just a myth- almost all of coastal asia, especially japan, eats raw fish all the time, and of course in pregnancy… im not sure where it came from, but its just like the no alcohol thing and the no cheese thing- america is terrified of it, and the rest of the world just goes about their business… lol
bethany November 5, 2012, 3:10 pm
WAIT– NO CHEESE?!?!
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:14 pm
I don’t beleive you’re supposed to eat lunch meat either! And from my understanding you can have hard cheese (cheddar) but not soft cheese (brie)…but I could be totaly wrong as I am no pregnancy expert.
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 3:19 pm
i believe you can have lunch meat if you heat it up. i could be wrong though! and yes i’ve heard from friends that hard cheese are ok, soft cheese are not. perhaps another time when cooking would make it ok?
katie November 5, 2012, 3:20 pm
yea, lunch meat might give you lysteria, and i dont remeber what the soft cheese might give you, but its stupid because all the cheese in the us is pasteurized, which eliminates the concern (as far as i have read and heard). cheeses around the world arent ususally pasteurized, and you cant import them, as far as i know, without them being pasteurized at some point during the process.
this is another thing about the pregnancy stuff i hate- if you understand why something might be dangerous, you can correctly navigate through it. so, like with the cheese, dont eat un-pasteurized dairy. its not a no-cheese rule.
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 3:29 pm
Yes, as my above post. I eat lunch meat all the time, I heat it up first (kills all bacteria) but if I don’t, I don’t worry because the chances of getting it are so low in the first place. I think in general people forget that they are GUIDELINES not restrictions and that if you know what the risks are then you are free to make your own judgement call.
Like, seriously, old lady glaring at me because I have my legs in the hot tub- That isn’t going to overheat me to the point of hurting my baby. Especially not when I’m drinking cold water at the same time. So you can your condescending look and your attitude that my body is public property and shove it up your ass.
Hows that for some hormones for you? haha.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
Who in the world wants to heat up lunch meat before they eat it? Ugh. Gross. I wish people would mind their own business about other people’s pregnancy. (I know I said something to start off all this chatter but I meant it half in joking anyways, I know Kristen would never do anything to intentionally hurt her bun.)
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:40 pm
<3 <3
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 4:19 pm
Eh, 15 seconds of honey ham in the microwave is all takes to make my sandwich. Thats pretty much the only deli meat I eat. I really don’t worry about it though if I forget.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:17 pm
Uhh……. Fuck that. I can go without alcohol (sad but okay), raw fish (gross), and lunch meat (gross). But there is NO WAY I’m putting down cheese. No way in hell. I’ll fight anyone who tries to tell me otherwise.
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:20 pm
I think even soft cheese is okay as long as it’s pasteurized. But there are so many restrictions that it’s impossible to keep up. Supposedly pineapple can soften your cervix and contribute to early labor, but I mean… come on. My philosophy has been everything in moderation. I haven’t had any alcohol, but I’ll probably have a small glass of wine here and there toward the end. And as for the raw fish and lunch meat, you’re supposed to avoid them because of the risk of food poisoning/listeria, but you can just as easily get that from contaminated spinach. It’s all so crazy.
Either way, I’ll be glad to be done being pregnant 🙂
shanshantastic November 5, 2012, 3:23 pm
Amen to that. Have you had any cravings that turned into aversions once you had the food in question? (For me, it’s tomato soup and pizza – but pasta with marinara is still fine!)
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:25 pm
Hmmm… I’m not sure! I haven’t really had any major cravings, though. I’m finally able to start eating seafood again. Up until recently, I almost threw up every time I walked by the seafood section of the grocery store!
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:24 pm
That sounds like a really healthy attitude. All the restrictions are so outrageous – and what they say is dangerous today will be encouraged in 10 years.
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:27 pm
I totally agree. I read posts from people on birth boards freaking out because they ate a Snickers bar and what if the peanuts give their unborn child a peanut allergy?? That’s just crazy to me. I can’t live my life like that.
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 3:32 pm
Yes! The peanut thing. They say if you eat it your kid will get allergies and if you don’t, your kid will get allergies. How bout you just say you don’t know! I eat tons of peanut butter. Everyday!
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:39 pm
Me too! My doctor wants me to gain more weight, so I’ve been eating natural peanut butter and dark chocolate for dessert every night. And it’s delicious! haha.
My personal belief is that it’s probably worse to eat fast food than it is to eat real foods that happen to be on the restricted list. I’ll take the omega 3’s and deliciousness in sushi over a quarter pounder from McDonalds any day. That’s just me, though.
katie November 5, 2012, 4:08 pm
kristen, that is my personal belief about anything related to food.
so what if i ate amazing fatty short ribs and pie this weekend? i made all of it!! its homemade and delicious!
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 4:22 pm
Real food is where it’s at. Although don’t tell the cheesecake I ate on halloween that. It was store bought and really flipping good. I wish I was told to gain more weight! I was worried of the opposite but my midwife told me that I’m in the perfect weight gain amount. So I figure screw the portions and amounts you are exactly supposed to eat, I’ll eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 3:40 pm
The thing I don’t get about women who drink alcohol while pregnant in moderation (and here comes lbh sounding like a drunky), is what’s the point if you’re only having one glass? Its like a tease.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 3:52 pm
Because it tastes good! I don’t drink to get drunk, I drink because I enjoy the taste. I love craft beer and trying different kinds, even if I only have one it’s still satisfying.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 4:36 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I love the taste too, but I still don’t think I’d bother teasing myself with only one glass.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:55 pm
That is an interesting point though, drunky LBH or not. When I go on a dry spell from wine, I don’t really crave it after a while. If I drink some occasionally but not often, I want it a lot more. It probably is easier to just go cold turkey.
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:57 pm
I agree! So boring. My OCD friend had a few sips in her 8th month and said she couldn’t even enjoy it because of the guilt. Not only guilt at drinking while pregnant but guilt about wasted calories since she already felt like a whale.
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 4:33 pm
Red wine is the ONLY pregnancy craving I have had. I preferred white before but not now. Yes, there have definitely been times where I would have liked to get smashed but for the most part pregnancy has felt like being hungover constantly and when I’m hungover one drink is enough for me. I don’t know if that made any sense.
lets_be_honest November 5, 2012, 4:37 pm
Ha!, You poor thing, I can remember that feeling and being so bitter that I didn’t even get a good drunk night out of being hungover constantly. Good luck!
lemongrass November 5, 2012, 5:04 pm
Thanks! Just 3 more months to go. How hard can the third trimester be? Please note that was sarcasm. I am afraid!
bethany November 5, 2012, 3:10 pm
There are all kinds of non-raw options!
Kris_ November 5, 2012, 3:11 pm
Seriously, it’s just as bad in VA. I’m so sick of the political ads that I can’t escape from except by not stepping foot out of my apartment and not going online. If one more person comes to my door asking who I’m going to vote for, regardless of party affiliation, I’m going to lose it. My answer to all of them is the same: It’s none of your business. We have an (mostly) anonymous voting system for a reason.
ktfran November 5, 2012, 3:12 pm
I’m eating hotdogs tomorrow and drinking my friend’s presidential brew. Apparenly because that’s how things are done in ‘Merica.
I decided bringing potato salad would be a nice contribution. I want to pick up three or four different kinds for laughs. Vinegar based, mustard based and mayo based. Am I missing any?
Mind you, I’m spending the evening with all democrats or independants who are voting democrat. Hoping for an Obama win.
ginevrah November 5, 2012, 3:36 pm
Yay Ohio! My absentee ballot got there a while ago, so hopefully it allll worked out.
I also went to the grocery store to stock up on Graeters ice cream so I can eat my feelings (happy or sad) tomorrow night!
Maybe I should wear my OSU jersey to compound the Ohio-ness of it all? Hmm…
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:10 pm
Sadly I had a screw up with my voter registration during my move, and it was too late to fix it when I realized it. My last voter registration card is for a county four hours away, and I can’t make the drive to do that when I don’t think that will work anyway since the address is old. So I don’t get to vote, and I’m very pissy about it. The only consolation is that I live in Tennessee where my Obama vote wouldn’t matter anyway. I really wish I could be voting for representatives though.
I’m terrified that Romney is going to win, but I think he will. Of course, that might just be because I live in a state full of Republican idiots, and I feel like the only person around who sees through his bullshit. Not that I think all Republicans are idiots. Just most of the ones I know around here don’t understand half of what they’re hearing and they regularly vote against themselves. Many Republicans are informed on what they’re voting for and what it means.
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 3:16 pm
Ugh, yeah you just described my town. It’s so frustrating when people decide how to vote based on Fox News. Instead of actually watching debates or trying to read about their opinions they just see what Fox News has to say the day after a debate and then decide who to vote for. And the average person in my town is poor, really poor. I think the average income is around 17000 a year. (we have around 6000 people here) It makes me want to pull my hair out. The fact that they care so much, at least based on the bumper stickers on their cars and the graffiti on the signs I see, makes me frustrated that they don’t actually try and figure out who the best candidate is in another way. No news channel (CNN, Fox, etc) is a good place to go to decide how to vote! And also I’m pretty sure that SC has no change of going to Obama, but I can hope.
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:18 pm
But how do you know they don’t have very good reasons for voting for Romney? Just because someone isn’t voting for your candidate doesn’t mean they’re uninformed idiots. That’s a pretty messed up thing to say.
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 3:23 pm
i definitely didn’t mean for it to come across that way. i guess that’s just how it feels based on conversations i’ve had with people. i think some people do have very good reasons for voting for their candidate. and i would feel the same way if someone decided to vote for obama based on what another news source said. it feels some days down here like they don’t actually care who the candidate is. they vote one way or the other because that’s just the way they’ve always done it. not for a particular reason. and that’s what frustrates me.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:30 pm
I don’t mean to say that people voting for Romney are idiots either. I just know a depressingly large number of people who justify their votes for Romney with one tiny piece of information, or something inconsequential. Those who have real reasons that they’ve researched and thought about I’m fine with. Regardless of which candidate is better, people should hopefully be able to give a real reason for who they support. It annoys me when people do it on either side, but it annoys me less when people vote blindly for Obama, because I want him to win. 😀 haha
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:34 pm
Yeah I agree with you both – uninformed voters are the worst.
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
yes, i think in the rural South the things I hear for reasons for voting for Romney are far different than what people on the large scale are giving, It’s kind of hard to describe unless you’re in it maybe? But, I’ve definitely heard the I’ll never support a Black President, things about Obama’s wife, etc. It’s not like they say I agree with Romney on finances or I support Obama on healthcare. Obviously some people do have thoughts like that and do agree with one candidate or the other based on different issues. But, I typically hear more of the other reasons.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:44 pm
Exactly! And I’m so glad you brought up the First Lady. I’ve heard people supporting Romney at least partially because they’re tired of what Michelle Obama has done for childhood obesity. They want their kids to have access to soda vending machines at school. And we all know that the South doesn’t need help with obesity…
Living in the South is incredibly frustrating politically. I’ve learned to try to avoid any political conversations I can with people I care about, because I usually end up losing some respect for them.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 5:27 pm
I drove from LA to New Orleans last year on an epic three week road-trip that was really two and a half weeks in Texas and Louisiana, and while I had a GREAT time, I don’t think I would survive long living in the south. The things I heard coming out of peoples’ mouths in restaurants and the like, seriously just freaked me out… Same thing happened the week I worked on a film in northern Florida…
Some strange political thinking going on there. Very…
theattack November 5, 2012, 5:43 pm
Yeah, no offense, but I really don’t think you’d last long here either. haha As an outspoken gay man OR an independent thinker, unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong – I love the South. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, and I defend Southern culture a lot on here. But I think people kind of have to grow up here to know how to function as anything other than a white conservative christian. It’s basically a whole skill set, which is pathetic. I hate the politics here.
Kristen November 5, 2012, 3:59 pm
I don’t live in the south, but I totally get what you’re saying. The pastor of my church posted a link on Facebook with an article asking whether it’s better to vote for someone whose religion is a “Christian-like cult” (i.e. mormonism) or someone who claims to be Christian but is really just a Muslim in disguise.
*head to wall*
Kristen November 5, 2012, 4:00 pm
(Oh, and the conclusion was that it’s better to vote for Romney because at least he doesn’t support abortion or gay marriage.) It’s so infuriating.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 5:33 pm
Well, it’s true though! Look, Muslims everywhere are super pro-gay and unwaveringly pro-choice! I mean, just look at all of the Middle East. Oh, wait…
theattack November 5, 2012, 5:48 pm
To be fair, all the Muslims I know are VERY liberal. They’re pretty much the entire liberal population in my hometown (although maybe that’s partially because they’re all related to each other). There’s a big difference between a government that follows very very old and strict Islamic laws and individuals who combine critical thinking with their religious beliefs.
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 4:08 pm
yes i’ve heard similar things. most of the anti-Obama ads include his middle name here, because obviously anyone with that middle name is evil. And yeah the gay marriage and abortion is a big deal here. I got a pamphlet the other day saying that we should all be one issue voters, and that issue should be abortion. I just wanted to find the people and say, so nothing else matters, nothing? Drives me crazy.
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:15 pm
This is not going to be a very popular opinion, but I honestly do not understand why people care what a candidate’s religion is, and I kind of think it should be an off-limits topic (though my opinion is more extreme than most). It’s so divisive, and it’s pointless. When people try to vote for someone with “strong, Christian morals,” that’s pretty hard to qualify unless they have extensive interviews about the person’s faith. Christians interpret things differently, and even when they agree, they have varying opinions about how to reach the same goal. I think people should leave religion out of the conversation and find someone whose specific ideas align with their own. It makes no sense to base your vote on whether or not they believe in some other arbitrary thing.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 4:27 pm
I’m with you. I could careless if they beleive in God or Allah or a tree in their back yard or nothing at all. Just be a good person who is going to protect my rights and advance our education system and keep people from blowing us up. Oh and some more jobs would be good.
Kristen November 5, 2012, 4:28 pm
I agree. It drives me crazy that someone running for president could be a complete whack-job and be a horrible candidate, but as long as they don’t support abortion, they’ll get votes from the Christian community. So many people I know, including my parents and grandparents, look at politics like it all boils down to being pro-life or pro-choice. There are so many other important issues to consider. I grew up thinking the same way, but luckily ended up forming my own opinions. I can be a Christian and still vote democrat. Unfortunately, a lot of people would disagree.
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:35 pm
Oh gosh, yeah, a LOT of people would disagree with you. haha But I completely agree with you about that. To me it seems like Christians should be voting democrat if they’re trying to align their religion with politics. More of the philosophies seem to line up together than they do with republicans.
Kristen November 5, 2012, 4:48 pm
Right! And even regardless of which it lines up with, like you said, people should be able to distinguish between their personal beliefs and what should be enforced on the entire country.
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:57 pm
Preach it!
KKZ November 5, 2012, 4:35 pm
I agree with you there, theattack. In the larger scheme of things, the name one uses when one prays is pretty irrelevant.
Two of my friends, who are new friends to me so we’re all still getting to know each other, are former Mormons. One of them posed an interesting theory to me: that Romney has avoided disclosing any more of his tax returns because they would reveal that he hasn’t been tithing the mandatory amount to the LDS church, which could get him kicked out of Mormonism.
Certainly don’t know if it’s true, but it seems plausible…
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:41 pm
Whoa…. That would be craaaaazy!
rachel November 5, 2012, 5:47 pm
hmm, interesting theory
ChemE November 6, 2012, 8:09 am
It’s possible. But then tithing is also considered donating to a charitable organization, so he’s getting nice big tax benefits from it. So, I imagine he donates much more than the 10% required by the church.
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 4:36 pm
This article talks a lot about separating politics from religion: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2012/10/fixing-the-relationship-between-faith-and-politics.html
There was also a discussion on various atheism blogs about: Would you vote for a Christian who shares your political views or an atheist on the opposite side of the aisle?
I think that politics would be a lot better if we could all answer this with: the politics matter, their religion does not. But far too many people in this country will vote just based on a person’s religious leanings rather than anything he has to say. In fact, many people don’t form any ideas about politics, save for voting for whoever their pastor tells them to.
On the bright side of this, Romney being Mormon might be just enough to deter some hardcore Christians away and give Obama the edge.
Samantha G November 5, 2012, 7:55 pm
So I grew up Methodist but just recently got married in the Catholic church and have been attending said Catholic church. I’m very pro-choice, and all we’ve been hearing at church is how “respect for life” is the only issue that matters. To me, it seems like we should be respecting the life that’s already around (hello overwhelmed foster care system and contraceptive policy) versus focusing so much on the abortion issue. If you give more women safe and cheap/free access to contraceptives you (hopefully) have fewer unintended pregnancies and fewer abortions. Let people who actually want children (LGBT/single) adopt children more easily and we would have a lot fewer children getting stuck in the system. It all boils down to human compassion and it seems to me that our society lacks it on a large scale…. which makes me sad 🙁
On the other hand, all of my friends, whether fiscally conservative or not, seem to be on the Obama side due to all of the social issues… So yay for that!!
Kristen November 6, 2012, 12:27 pm
I agree with you! I’ve never understood why the same people who are against abortion are also opposed to contraception. If the real goal is saving the lives of unborn children, why wouldn’t people be HUGE advocates of birth control? To me, it seems more like an attempt to punish women for having sex (i.e. you chose to have sex, so you need to pay the consequence and go through with the pregnancy). A lot of problems would be solved if there was easier, more affordable access to contraceptives.
Fabelle November 5, 2012, 3:22 pm
Yeah, this reminds me of my most recent trip to get a haircut. All middle-aged women in the salon literally saying things like “We can’t vote Obama in because in 4 years…we’ll all be wearing burkas!!” WTF. WTF. WHAT. THE FUCK.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 3:35 pm
I am amazed by that sort of thing. You hear it daily on talk radio. It’s always like, “Dem gays are taking over ‘dis country! Obama is giving da gays everything! It’s just not right! Oh, an’ we’ll all be wearing burkas, too!”
Um, the President can’t force a gay agenda/take over while enslaving the nation fall under conservative muslim law at the same time, folks. C’mon! Get a fucking clue…
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:48 pm
Hahaha, Uhh… Fabelle, didn’t you know that Obama is actually a secret Muslim writing legislation to make Islam the national religion? He also wants to send all of our kids to suicide-bomber school. -rolls eyes- I’m so ashamed of this, but I’m related to a politician who tried to pass a bill that would have made it illegal to follow Sharia law. I also live near a town that tried to make it illegal to build a mosque. The drama surrounding Islam is sickening.
call-me-hobo November 5, 2012, 9:01 pm
theattack- I LIVE IN THAT TOWN. Ugh. I’m just kind of done with all this. And just so you know, I voted for the both of us. 😀
the attack November 6, 2012, 1:33 am
I was going to mention you in that comment but didn’t want to call you out on your specific location. Haha that whole situation was exhaustingly ridiculous. I went into the already existing mosque last spring, and it’s so small! Basically one cubby hole attached to a jiffy lube. 🙁
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 3:16 pm
Yeah see I live in Colorado and I’m convinced Obama is going to win – so it must just be who you’re surrounded by. We’re just two little fish in this great big country. But in all fairness – both sides throw out bullshit all the time – that’s not a strictly republican thing 😉
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:25 pm
Oh, I agree that the republicans are not the only ones guilty of that. I’m just saturated with their lies around me all day every day, and because I’m a democrat, republican lies seem much more dangerous to me. I know lots of college kids who vote for Obama because it’s trendy, but there are many more grown adults in my state who are voting for Romney because of nonsensical, hypocritical reasons that will actually end up harming them instead of helping them. Hell, I know lots of people who refuse to vote for Obama just because he’s black, so they don’t even know what the other issues are. It’s just a downright refusal to do research or think critically that annoys me. I’m hoping the rest of the country can pull us through!
rachel November 5, 2012, 3:34 pm
I can’t vote either theattack 🙁
I didn’t see a deadline anywhere online for registering in Oklahoma, and when I finally tried it turned out there was a deadline and I had missed it.
But, like Tennessee, OK is going to go Romney no matter who I would vote for.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:50 pm
🙁 At least we don’t have to feel so alone in that. I feel SO guilty for not voting, even though I know it’s inconsequential anyway.
rachel November 5, 2012, 4:00 pm
Me too! I always yell at people who choose not to vote! I feel dumb for not registering sooner.
painted_lady November 5, 2012, 4:58 pm
UGH. We were in the middle of a “voter fraud prevention” assessment when I got my driver’s license renewed, and the lady told me that I would get my registration information eventually. By the time I realized it wasn’t coming, the deadline – which isn’t advertised anywhere I’ve seen, either – was a day away. And you can’t register online – it must be a paper copy, even if you already registered in previous elections, and I don’t have a printer, so…yeah. No voting for me, which is total bullshit. It’s interesting, too, because I live in a high minority, generally blue town…almost like they didn’t want me to vote.
theattack November 5, 2012, 5:21 pm
That’s weird… Very very weird… I had issues with it because my voter registration never crossed my mind during the move (my fault) until about a week before the deadline. It turns out the mail in my new city is ridiculously slow, and I got a letter from the County Commissioner saying that they received my application too late, even though I sent it a week before the deadline. So it’s my fault, but it still sucks.
kerrycontrary November 5, 2012, 3:17 pm
ugh I cannot wait for the election to be over! My mom has gone crazy campaigning for one of these candidates, and after tomorrow night she can either pout or be happy. Plus I don’t have to see everyone’s crap on facebook when they are non-political 99% of the time but get all worked up once every 4 years. If you really cared, you’d be doing something about it more often.
llclarityll November 5, 2012, 3:22 pm
No kidding, my husband’s boss (of a company with 200+ employees) just sent out a 12-paragraph email to all employees telling them why they should vote for Romney, how “they are misinformed or ignoring the issue” if they don’t believe Obama will bankrupt America, and how he doesn’t desire any responses to his email.
UNREAL.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:32 pm
Umm, that seems inappropriate.
llclarityll November 5, 2012, 3:36 pm
Correction: It is not his boss, it is the president of the entire company.
It’s so wrong on so many levels. I would think that regardless of how I was voting … he’s totally marginalizing his workforce (a mix of white and blue collar workers, btw)
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:40 pm
I’m wondering if that could be considered some sort of voter intimidation or something. I don’t know anything about that issue, but when your boss is someone that controls so much of your livelihood, it seems almost coercive to send that sort of an email.
llclarityll November 5, 2012, 3:50 pm
There are definitely parts of the email that can be construed as threats. Like, if you vote for Obama we’re taking away your health care.
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 4:43 pm
It was Romney’s idea: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/10/17/listen-to-mitt-romney-urge-business-owners-to-tell-their-employees-how-to-vote
On the other hand, since they can’t ever find out how you voted, I’m not sure that it meets the criteria necessary to be voter coercion or intimidation.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
Very.
landygirl November 5, 2012, 3:22 pm
Having lived through the 2000 and 2004 elections, I can only hope that people are smarter now than they were back then. Our media doesn’t do us any favors, they only serve to make things more complicated.
Any party that would take away my rights as a woman is not a party I would suppport. Any party who would deny gays their rights are not a party I would back. You can’t claim you want a ‘smaller governemnt” and then go about trying to take away the rights of taxpayers. That is Big Brother.
theattack November 5, 2012, 3:38 pm
Haha, That always baffles me! But honestly, the rape comments from the republican party have really been terrifying me. They’re starting as anti-abortion comments about rape, but it seems like it’s opening the door to an attitude about rape that could be life-threatening and very dangerous. I’m waiting for that to snowball downhill, and none of us will be safe.
katie November 5, 2012, 4:04 pm
yep- when i voted, i figured that a vote against the republicans was better then a vote for anyone else, really… i pretty much only voted with my vagina. lol
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 4:17 pm
“i pretty much only voted with my vagina”
YES!! To me the rest is nonsense anyways. Our economy is screwed regardless and I don’t think the foreign policy stuff from either side is that great. But seriously…what self respecting woman can vote for a man who voted against the equal pay legislation and want to strip us of our rights to birth control/abortion/our uterus? (And then there is the homophobic, anti-gay agenda too)
ktfran November 5, 2012, 4:24 pm
Yep. My vote is based entirely on womens rights. Or, I guess human rights because i’m pro gay too.
I’m honesly scared for women without access to affordable care if Romney wins tomorrow. That’s not a position someone in 2012 should be in.
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:20 pm
Honestly, when something is that glaringly obvious, you don’t even have to know much of anything else (though of course you should, just sayin). I think it would be comparable to if one of the parties tried to reinstate slavery. Uhh, obviously no.
katie November 5, 2012, 4:26 pm
fo sho- to both of you! haha
and heres to hoping my new IUD will either be paid because i already met my deductible this year, or it will be paid next year with new healthcare standards.
Liquid Luck November 6, 2012, 11:18 am
A friend sent me this last week, and it made me so incredibly angry that the people in charge of creating laws in this country can actually believe (not to mention SAY OUT LOUD) these things:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/26/1150447/-The-GOP-Rape-Advisory-Chart-Volume-III
It’s sickening to me how much victim-blaming is happening in some of these quotes. Not one mentions how we should enforce harsh penalties for rapists, but instead focuses on how the women who are raped should “do the right thing” and sit by quietly.
Disgusting.
ChemE November 6, 2012, 8:06 am
I feel like the reason all the republicans are attacking and going after social/human rights issues is because they have no idea how to work on the real problems this country has. They don’t know how to fix the economy and they don’t know how to create jobs. So they latch on to something they can affect – bible-thumping bullshit.
I really hope Romney doesn’t win. His dick-wad VP candidate is completely horrible. I’m amused every time he and Romney say something opposite of Ryan’s known positions. I mean MR wouldn’t have picked him if their views were so different?
Addie Pray November 5, 2012, 3:23 pm
OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA … Or in the alternative Big Bird. But please Heavenly Father do not let Romney win. Pretty please with a cherry on top. I just bought a condo; I’d hate to have to move to Canada right now. And for other reasons, like gay rights, the future of this country in general, and many more things.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 2:40 am
Every once in awhile I come back to this blog and consider rejoining the community, and then I see comments like this, indicating that a conservative like me would definitely not be welcome here.
(and for the record, I’m not wild about Romney or Obama, although for very different reasons)
Addie Pray November 6, 2012, 8:46 am
Conservatives are welcomed here! I know there are many who express conservative viewpoints. They just don’t get their panties in a wad when people disagree. More often than not, it leads to interesting debates.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 12:18 pm
I beg to disagree. If I had written Romney’s name 100 times in a comment, I’m pretty confident I would be accused of being a troll.
Anyway, just see landygirl’s response to me in the comments below.
http://dearwendy.com/whos-going-to-win-the-presidential-election/#comment-119225
Maybe you enjoy debate, and that’s great, but not everyone here can tolerate people disagreeing with them, even when it’s done respectfully, and with a citation in support.
theattack November 6, 2012, 12:45 pm
I think anyone who’s familiar with Addie Pray read her comment with her silly and fun personality in mind. But obviously if you don’t enjoy this community, then don’t comment.
Addie Pray November 6, 2012, 6:46 pm
I’d also hope people read my comments with my wicked good looks in mind, geez. 😉
theattack November 6, 2012, 6:53 pm
I don’t know what you look like! Should I just imagine a super sexy lady seductively saying “Obama” hundreds of times?
katie November 6, 2012, 1:54 pm
if you had written romney’s name 100 times and then made a funny joke, and then stated why you like romney, im pretty people would laugh at your funny joke and move on. theres nothing wrong with stating who you like, or who you support more then the other…
landygirl November 6, 2012, 7:26 pm
You’re a troll, of course I disagree with you.
iwannatalktosampson November 6, 2012, 7:44 pm
JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE DISAGREES WITH YOU THEY ARE NOT A FUCKING TROLL. Holy balls. I had to get into the same fight last political thread.
jlyfsh November 6, 2012, 7:51 pm
I agree, I don’t always like how John says what he has to say, but he should be able to voice his opinion too. People might take it a little better if he was less condescending.
landygirl November 6, 2012, 12:40 pm
Every time I see you post in here I wish you wouldn’t.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 12:51 pm
I rest my case.
BTW, I happen to be in a 3rd world country where my internet is very limited, so don’t worry, I won’t be hanging around.
landygirl November 6, 2012, 7:27 pm
Good.
GatorGirl November 6, 2012, 12:53 pm
I personally welcome conservative views here on DW. How boring would this place be if we all thought exactly the same way about everything? While this site definitely takes a more liberal tone, all are definitively welcome to share their views. Nicely of course.
TaraMonster November 5, 2012, 3:39 pm
So this is just a side note. I was watching the Giants game at a friend’s the other day via an internet stream through Arkansas TV (I don’t know) and this commercial came on where some stock photo dude in a hard hat was talking about creating local jobs by building windmills for clean energy and this guy at the end said “Obama doesn’t support clean energy. He doesn’t support creating local jobs in Arkansas. Vote for Mitt Romney in 2012.”
My blue state friend and I just looked at each other all confused. For real, GOP?! Do they have to go that far into made-up-information-land to get Arkansas to go Red?!
landygirl November 5, 2012, 4:43 pm
They can’t win by telling the truth.
flgirl711 November 5, 2012, 4:01 pm
I just have to say this election can’t be over soon enough!! I’m so sick of the extremes on both ends (particularly the Republicans) and the mean, nasty commercials, negativity and politics in general. I lean Republican in some of my views but I’m just done with the vile, nasty, people this election cycle. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. Living in Florida has sucked the past year between the primary and the election season.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 4:19 pm
Honestly? I don’t get all the outcry at having to show Photo ID to vote. To allow people to vote without one just seems to invite voter fraud… Also, really? How does one get through life without a photo i.d.?
iwannatalktosampson November 5, 2012, 4:26 pm
Agree on all points.
Sue Jones November 5, 2012, 4:28 pm
IF you are way old and don’t drive….
ktfran November 5, 2012, 4:31 pm
But you can get a state ID card instead of a license.
rachel November 5, 2012, 4:42 pm
You can, yes, but if you’re 80 and never had to show ID to vote before, why would you think to get one?
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 4:44 pm
Make an exception for people born before 1940 or something. Which is subjective because they have no way to prove when their birthday is.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 4:51 pm
They always ask for my id in LA… It never struck me as odd…
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:29 pm
Having worked with the homeless population, not many of them have photo IDs. You have to have an address, and you have to be able to pay for an ID. I’ve also heard of abusive spouses not allowing their victims to have IDs. Someone else mentioned above (sorry, can’t remember who) that a lot of elderly people let their IDs expire when they’re no longer driving. It’s probably more common than you think.
SpaceySteph November 5, 2012, 4:50 pm
Elderly are able to vote via absentee ballot, which eliminates the ID issue entirely for old people who don’t drive (also eliminates the transportation issue while they’re at it).
As for homeless, yes I can see why that would be an issue.
rachel November 5, 2012, 4:30 pm
What if you just turned 18 and don’t have one yet? Or what if yours expired right before the election and you don’t have the 30 bucks to buy a new one? (I don’t know about you, but I’ve had months where $30 would break the bank).
I don’t really see how it’s very easy to fraud the system w/o IDs required. You can still only place one vote, and with the lines on election day, it’s not like you can really hop from poll to poll choosing a different identity to vote with.
katie November 5, 2012, 4:34 pm
i dont really understand the outcry either, but voter fraud is basically non-existant. like, its stastisically less then 1 per however many millions of people- it never happens. its not a real threat.
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:38 pm
Honestly, who the hell wants to stand in that line more than once anyway?
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 4:43 pm
I agree. Other commentors made pretty good points about the homeless, elderly, recently expired but there should be ways to remedy that. Like free id’s for the homeless and elderly (but really how many homeless vote?) and like a 30 day expiration exemption. How do the poll workers now I’m not just walking up and saying I’m Sally Smith when I’m really not?
theattack November 5, 2012, 4:54 pm
I don’t mean to pick on you about this, but I’m curious about why you think homeless people wouldn’t vote. Not that politics came up much when I was counseling the homeless, but I do know from overhearing their conversations with each other at the shelter that some of them were at least somewhat politically active, especially the ones who were recently homeless or those who were educated or valued knowledge. I don’t think I ever encountered a chronically homeless person who mentioned anything about politics though.
GatorGirl November 5, 2012, 4:59 pm
I guess I’ve been conditioned to think of the homeless population as the “chronically homeless” that you speak of. More along the lines of drug addicts, the mentally ill, etc. Not the newer population of homeless since the economic collapse (or at least I would assume newer, I don’t know much about the subject). Now those folks who are trying to get back on their feet I could see them wanting to vote and being actively engaged. A little insensitive of me.
theattack November 5, 2012, 5:14 pm
It’s not really insensitive. I think most people think of the homeless that way. There are so many people who go through bouts of homelessness these days though. It is not uncommon for people to be homeless for a few months and then get back on their feet. (Hell, I was almost homeless in college once because the person I was about to move in with went to jail right before we were supposed to sign the lease and move in. Dodged a bullet there though). Also, mental illness is rampant through both parts of the homeless population, and it’s common among people with homes as well. Those people are still part of our voting population.
A few weeks ago, Daniel and I were camping at a state park, and the person at the campsite next to us came over to talk to us. He was clearly a very confused individual, and he was living out of a van with his mom, which is considered homelessness. He was also VERY politically passionate, but also very confused. He went on a long rant to P about how he was killing the environment with his Prius, and how we need to vote for Obama because Romney is conspiring to support “green energy,” and it was secretly killing the Ozone layer and creating pollution. He went on several other rants, all of which were very confused and backward. Since he spends most of his day listening to talk radio in the car, I’m sure he’s very passionate about what he thinks is going on in America, and if he can, I’m sure he’ll be voting. Those people are definitely in our voting system anyway.
theattack November 5, 2012, 5:17 pm
(Daniel & P are the same person. I can’t ever decide what to call him on DW. Oops).
landygirl November 5, 2012, 4:45 pm
I have never presented photo ID when I’ve voted and I’ve been voting for 30 years. There are so few instances of in person voter fraud it’s not even worth mentioning. The GOP didn’t want to prevent voter fraud, they wanted to perpetrate it.
SarahKat November 5, 2012, 6:13 pm
EXACTLY. These voter ID laws were passed quickly and in areas that were least likely to vote for GOP candidates. Its been appalling to watch that type of corruption take place. Its like a Jim Crow poll tax all over again. There’s also this quote from a recent Mother Jones article:
“…According to the respected Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, 7% of the general voting public doesn’t have an adequate photo ID, but those figures rise precipitously when you hit certain groups: 15% of voting age citizens making less than $35,000 a year, 18% of Americans over 65, and a full quarter of African Americans.
A recent study by other researchers focusing on the swing-state of Pennsylvania found that one in seven voters there lack an ID—one in three in Philadelphia—with minorities far more likely than whites to fall into this category. In fact, every study around notes this disparate demographic trend, even the low-number outlier study preferred by Hans van Spakovsky, the conservative Heritage Foundation’s voter “integrity” activist: its authors still found that “registered voters without photo IDs tended to be female, African-American, and Democrat.”…”
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 3:01 am
Voter ID opponents LOVE to quote the Brennen Center for Justice on this issue.
But now we have an even more recent Reuters study on the issue.
“Democratic claims that a large number of Americans could be prevented from voting because of photo identification laws are probably overstated based on evidence from Georgia and Indiana, the two states where the laws have been in place for multiple elections, Reuters found.”
landygirl November 6, 2012, 11:18 am
Man, not you again.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 12:20 pm
I’m not even going to ask what that is supposed to mean. Have a nice day.
SarahKat November 6, 2012, 11:59 am
You do understand that the voting turnout in 2008 and 2010 was higher OVER ALL regardless of voting procedure than it had been in decades, don’t you? No, you’re right, it must have been the voter ID’s in two states that made people vote in droves.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 12:28 pm
SarahKat, then you can argue with Reuters. They address that issue in the article, BTW. In any case, they don’t claim that voter ID “made people vote in droves”, simply that it hasn’t had the effect that critics feared.
SarahKat November 6, 2012, 12:58 pm
Thanks, I’ll go do that? The point I’m making is that you are trying to create evidence from a statistically high voting election and that muddies the water on any evidence we could have on whether or not voter turnout is directly altered by voter’s id in a given state. Why don’t you wait a few more elections and try that argument again. Meanwhile, I’ll be here, looking at actual statistics of minority groups being targeted for voter id laws in order to make the voting process more difficult for them. Oh I’m sorry, I mean to protect us from all the rampant voter fraud.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 1:16 pm
To find them, you will have to do better than the ACLU, and many other very powerful groups. In 2008, when voter ID was challenged before the Supreme Court, the plaintiffs arguing against the law could not produce a single witness who claimed to have been disenfranchised due to Indiana’s voter ID requirement.
Interestingly, Justice John Paul Stevens, one of the most liberal judges the court ever had, wrote the lead opinion supporting voter ID:
SarahKat November 6, 2012, 1:49 pm
Ok, first of all thousands were REPORTED as being turned away for not having sufficient id. And if you’d like to talk about court decisions, how about you take a look at the most recent ones.
Oh and I’m still waiting for your stats on how common voter fraud is. Or you could just admit that you have no problem with Republicans trying to change voting rules to ramp up their own stats. Either one is fine with me.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 5:36 pm
I would like to see where anyone reported those “thousands” are that were turned away at the polls. In Indiana, even if you didn’t have an ID, you can still cast a provisional ballot, and then you have 5 days to come back with the proper ID before your ballot will be voided.
I’m also not sure how your article is relevant here. Yes, I already know that many courts have put a hold on voter ID laws in several states. This is a delaying tactic, really, since the Supreme Court already upheld voter ID in principle, judges can’t change that. These cases usually revolve around peripheral issues (like how the law is implemented) that will be ironed out later.
I have never claimed that voter fraud was “common”. Frankly, since no one really checks for it, we just don’t know how often it actually happens.
The funny thing is, most advanced countries around the world require some form of voter ID. I lived in Germany for many years, and they ask for ID. So does liberal Canada even. I don’t think these countries are controlled by a Republican conspiracy. Most people seem to think it’s common sense.
rachel November 6, 2012, 12:19 pm
John, that’s great news to hear actually. BUT, the voter ID law in PA was going to be passed quickly right before the election. That would mean that there would be no time to put in place the free IDs and stuff that the article claims other states use. If it can be done right, then I”m happy to concede IDs as a good way to prevent voter fraud.
John Rohan November 6, 2012, 12:22 pm
Actually, Rachael, the Pennsylvania law was passed back in March, a full 8 months before the election. Is that enough time? I think it’s more than enough, but you are free to disagree.
rachel November 6, 2012, 12:34 pm
Enough time for the state to decide that IDs are free and get the word out? I doubt it. PA has a VERY large population of senior citizens, who are not so likely to be on the ball with that sort of thing. Also, the judges who struck down the law apparently didn’t think it was enough time.
BTW, it’s a huge pet peeve of mine when people spell my name wrong. It’s not a username, it’s my actual name, and it’s written 2″ above your post.
SarahKat November 6, 2012, 1:35 pm
And that’s not even counting all the counties in swing states republicans tried (and succeeded in some places) to reduce early voting days from 12 days to 8 because statistically Democrats cast more early ballots than Republicans.
SarahKat November 6, 2012, 1:12 pm
Actually, the ruling was sent back to a judge in mid September on whether to uphold it or not. He was given two weeks AFTER THAT to decide for sure. Luckily for Pennsylvania, they decided that voters should not be allowed to be turned away for not having voter id.
kerrycontrary November 5, 2012, 4:55 pm
I think its weird that people DON’T have to provide photo-id. Plus don’t you need an address to register to vote? So that addresses the homeless population (it kind of sucks if they can’t vote, but c’est la vie).
ktfran November 5, 2012, 5:08 pm
Agreed. I don’t quite understand. Do you just walk up and say, hi, I’m so and so?
rachel November 5, 2012, 5:27 pm
Yes, you do, in the many states that don’t have voter ID laws. You basically check in. The districts all have lists of the voters eligible to vote there.
Skyblossom November 6, 2012, 5:20 pm
I live in a county with a large amish population and it is against their religious beliefs to be photographed. They believe that a photo is a graven image. So the state tried to institute a photo ID law but our local representative loudly protested and the state backed down because many people, including the amish, would be disenfranchised. When we vote we do have to show ID and most people use a drivers liscense but you can use other forms of ID to prove who you are and where you live like a bill in your name and mailed to your address. You can also use the last four digits of your social security number which all of the amish do have. When you register to vote you include your social security number and that has to match your registered address and signature. When I sign my name before voting I’m signing right beside a copy of my signature that is on record so it would be hard for someone to vote in my place.
othy November 5, 2012, 4:51 pm
Sadly I live in Utah, and my vote truly doesn’t matter. But i will be part of the 12% of the state that did vote blue…
Addie Pray November 5, 2012, 6:21 pm
I am picturing all the Mormons in Utah peeing in their special underwear they must be so excited about Mitt!
Way to maintain a clear head through all this. 😉
GatorGirl November 6, 2012, 8:47 am
There is actually a Mormons for Obama group that is trying to do some big things. Who knows how big of an impact they will have. I actually know the head of the group, he’s a pretty cool dude.
EB November 5, 2012, 4:54 pm
Fuck being diplomatic, I think voting for Romney is shameful.
” I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney because of his economic policies (tenuous and ill-formed as they are), and that they disagree with him on gay rights. Fine. Then look me in the eye, speak with a level clear voice, and say, “My taxes and take-home pay mean more than your fundamental civil rights, the sanctity of your marriage, your right to visit an ailing spouse in the hospital, your dignity as a citizen of this country, your healthcare, your right to inherit, the mental welfare and emotional well-being of your youth, and your very personhood.”
It’s like voting for George Wallace during the Civil Rights movements, and apologizing for his racism. You’re still complicit. You’re still perpetuating anti-gay legislation and cultural homophobia. You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you “disagree” with your candidate on these issues.”
-Doug Wright, Pulitzer-winning playwright
katie November 5, 2012, 5:02 pm
haha i like this… and this is exactly why i wish we were able to vote on issues and not on a candidate or on a party. i wish that there was a heading “democrat” and “republican” and under that, bullet points (doing X for taxes, doing X for gay rights, ect) and you got to pick the world you like. there is no person in this world who aligns 100% with either party, thats just crazy to think happens.
landygirl November 5, 2012, 5:13 pm
My question is…what economic policies are they talking about? Mitt hasn’t really presented anything of substance regarding his policies in any ways, shape or form. What exactly is it that they are voting for?
Friend of Beagles November 5, 2012, 5:59 pm
Thank you, landygirl. I’ve been wondering the exact same thing.
SarahKat November 5, 2012, 6:25 pm
I have asked myself this question for months. What actual policies has he proposed to help the budget?? The only reason I can think people are calmed by his obscure “5 point plan” is that he uses the same Bain Capital take profit from other companies and let them break assholery and use it against China or something. Like if we vote for him we’ll all the sudden be in the group of loved ones that he’s built a profit for and that all our homes will have the plush decadence of Ralfalca’s stable.
Addie Pray November 5, 2012, 6:15 pm
WEBS!
John Rohan November 7, 2012, 1:03 am
I have the same question for you that I had for BGM. Since the 2008 Obama was also against gay marriage, was it also “shameful” to vote for him at that time?
Lynn November 5, 2012, 6:24 pm
Well, in an effort to be completely transparent… I already early voted for Mitt Romney.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 8:16 pm
END MARRIAGE DISCRIMINATION NOW!!!
Everybody, well most everybody, has seen this PSA from Australia already, but it is SO well crafted it deserves a second or third or even fourth glance….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wtrARG5xHQg
jlyfsh November 5, 2012, 8:18 pm
Love that PSA so well done.
bittergaymark November 5, 2012, 8:20 pm
The wary, but friendly looks from the doomed mother seriously gets me every time… So real.
jlyfsh November 6, 2012, 10:01 am
yeah, they all do a great job. that part always makes me tear up. that and the engagement. so maybe i tear up the whole time, haha.
Amanda November 6, 2012, 9:32 am
Thank you for sharing this. I did not see it before. I’m nearly crying now it’s so beautiful
bittergaymark November 6, 2012, 2:02 pm
You’re welcome, Amanda. 🙂
Amanda November 6, 2012, 9:25 am
I voted! I’m hoping for a blue Pennsylvania!
MJ November 6, 2012, 12:30 pm
I voted blue in PA this morning, too. Go us!
Caris November 6, 2012, 12:00 pm
I don’t even live there and I am scared, so scared for the US. I hope Romney doesn’t win.
bittergaymark November 6, 2012, 2:29 pm
Tacky? Just desperate? Or both? One nameless candidate now claims that campaigning for himself on election day — greatly breaking with longstanding tradition — is the new normal…
theattack November 6, 2012, 3:31 pm
I didn’t realize it was a tradition to withhold campaigning on election day. Makes sense though.
jlyfsh November 6, 2012, 8:16 pm
does anyone remember in either the 1996 or 2000 election when Dan Rather got really flustered late late in the evening on election night? he said something like fee i f five. I was watching results with my Grandmother and we got the biggest laugh out of it.
painted_lady November 6, 2012, 8:50 pm
Guys, I can’t handle this shit. I should be making dinner. Instead I’m staring at a computer screen, hitting refresh over and over like a fucking freak. I think I’m going to throw up. Someone talk me down!
painted_lady November 6, 2012, 8:59 pm
Oh thank god. My boyfriend is on his way home from work early and will be dragging me to dinner.
iwannatalktosampson November 6, 2012, 9:03 pm
Whenever you get stressed out remember that one day you will die and this will be irrelevant. (Just kidding – I saw an ecard that said that and thought it was funny). But really – just remind yourself how little actual effect the president has on your day to day life.
painted_lady November 6, 2012, 9:10 pm
That’s pretty funny. Thanks 🙂
theattack November 6, 2012, 9:06 pm
Just remember: There will always be sexy pictures of President Obama on the internet for you to respectfully drool over. haha!
painted_lady November 6, 2012, 9:58 pm
You are so right. Think I’ll cheer myself up with some recreational drooling.
Eagle Eye November 6, 2012, 10:08 pm
Ugh, I cannot handle this right now…
quixoticbeatnik November 6, 2012, 11:19 pm
painted_lady – look at some cute little kitties! One followed me all the way from my apartment to the garage in my apt complex. So cute! I wish I could adopt it.
bittergaymark November 7, 2012, 4:49 am
Whew…