pettyfan
Livin' next door to the Klopeks
Member # 2260
posted
How do you guys feel about people spewing their political views at you? I mean, personally I don't care if you're Democrat or Republican, like McCain or Obama, or you're all for saving the trees. Fine, whatever. Just don't try to talk to me about it night and day. I know a guy who can only talk about politics, and how evil Republicans are, and how John Edwards might as well be God in his opinion. I'm not ultra-conservative and I'm not ultra-liberal. I consider myself a middle-of-the-roader. So I usually stay out of his political conversations, but sometimes it can be a bit much. I work with this person so if I said my peace, like I really really want to, things would definitely be strained. So I've started getting up and leaving.
So what do ya'll think?
Posts: 2902 | From: Home Sweet Home | Registered: Jan 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
Politics is something, for me, that you have to hold an opinion on. Effectively, declaring that you hold no opinion is tacit support for whoever gets in.
We have issues here in the UK at the moment, in that just about everyone is complaining about the state of the country and the leadership we have. well guess what? They are in charge because either a) you voted them in, or b) you couldn't be bothered to vote them out when you had the chance.
That's democracy for you - giving you the opportunity to vote for the person you want also gives you the right to complain about them when they screw up.
Posts: 3646 | From: Shermer, IL - where else? | Registered: Mar 2001 | Site Updates: 37
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Smayt Shatner
Rewind Shaft -Can u dig it?
Member # 1500
posted
Arent we being run by a guy who got the job by default and nobody actually voted in?? I admit to being quite naive about politics.
Posts: 1201 | From: under everyone's bed...watching and waiting. | Registered: May 2003 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
As long as the poitician in question does everything possible to help the public--and resists the temptation of holding power--I'll go with them. There are times I consider entering the fray, believing I can make life better for others, but those who know me discourage it on the grounds I'm too honest for my own good.
Posts: 2561 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Aug 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
In my opinion the U.K won't change for the better no matter who's in power. The Immigration Problem is getting beyond a joke now. They are treated as priority and are taking our homes and our jobs, and unless the Government sorts this problem out I can just see the country getting a lot, lot worse than it already is. All i want is the Government to put British Citizens first..
Posts: 729 | From: Birmingham, England | Registered: Sep 2007 | Site Updates: 0
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quote:Originally posted by P.S. It's Paul....: Politics is something, for me, that you have to hold an opinion on. Effectively, declaring that you hold no opinion is tacit support for whoever gets in.
We have issues here in the UK at the moment, in that just about everyone is complaining about the state of the country and the leadership we have. well guess what? They are in charge because either a) you voted them in, or b) you couldn't be bothered to vote them out when you had the chance. That's democracy for you - giving you the opportunity to vote for the person you want also gives you the right to complain about them when they screw up.
Someone buy this man a pint!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. If you don't get involved, and don't vote, then shut your yap... Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
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quote:Originally posted by hewzy: In my opinion the U.K won't change for the better no matter who's in power. The Immigration Problem is getting beyond a joke now. They are treated as priority and are taking our homes and our jobs, and unless the Government sorts this problem out I can just see the country getting a lot, lot worse than it already is. All i want is the Government to put British Citizens first..
Same thing here in the States... Put us first... Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
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80'sRocked Play it Loud, Play it Proud
Member # 6979
posted
I'm a middle of the roader too. I vote for the person not the party. The John Edwards thing pettyfan mentioned must be a southern thing because Edwards this and Edwards that was all I heard when there were rumors of his running. Immigration is definitely an issue for me. I never will forget going to the health department some 10 years ago to get immunizations for college being charged $40 a shot while the illegals in the health department were getting everything free. Politicians are all professional con artists. Here you can either vote Democrat and have nothing done about illegal immigration or vote Republican and be stuck in Iraq for an eternity. My main interests as of now are gas prices (cap the gas tax for goodness sakes or start cutting lucrative oil executives' salaries) and the economy or the lack of an economy should I say. Ron Paul has some excellent ideas and viewpoints on the matters...........
Posts: 3845 | From: Norf Karolina | Registered: Dec 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
It is hard to vote for someone when you don't like any of your options.
My son and I were talking about it today....I do not ever want to elect anybody who is going to restart the draft...because there's no way I'd give my kid up to a war that makes no sense at all in the first place. I can not stand war...it is a waste.
I will vote....just to keep the one out of office that will do the most damage...not to put in the one who is the best...because in this country...who really wants that job? So, you really are extremely limited on your options.
Posts: 13484 | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
Yeah most of the time my vote for president is more of a vote against somebody instead of going for the one I prefer. But I'll admit I'm definitely to the left.
Posts: 4742 | From: Cell Block 6 | Registered: Aug 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
How about a "true" independent party that has a chance to win??? Some candidate that really is "middle-of-the-road"? A conservative liberal that actually IS for what the people want. If we could actually discuss the "relevant" issues with dignity instead of the crap that passes for politics we would get somewhere.
Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
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posted
You'll never get a truly independent party - everything sits one side of the fence or the other, and often, being on the fence can be a pain in the butt....
When you have two parties battling for control, each can bring out statistics and 'expert opinion' that demonstrate how their viewpoint is the one supported by a majority of the population. So in fact, after a while, jdocster, they even convince themselves that they reflect what the people want.
It always boils down to one of the following, which will always determine how you vote:
1. History: You might vote Democrat or Republican (or Labour / Conservative in the UK) because you always have, and no matter how bad things get, you can't bring yourself to vote any different. This way, in my view, completely misses the point of elections and puts the finances and security of your country on a par with choosing your favorite hockey team.
2. WIIFM: or What's In In For Me. People vote for whoever will provide them with a better life / more money / immediate benefit. An example would be if you had family members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. In that case, you may well vote for the party who says they will bring them home soonest. This one kinda lumps all the choice down to a single issue, and by default you then have to accept the rest of the package, no matter what the consequences.
3. One Thing Only: pretty much like the above, but instead of being so personbalised, it looks at a single issue and how that affects the country. Might be healthcare, the economy, education, whatever - but your choice is driven solely by seeing one party as much more clued up than the other.
4. Broad View: Look at all the policies, read up and research, and then vote for the best overall party for the country. You'll have to put up with some difficulties, but on balance, it's all OK. This is kinda what most people should do, and may even want to do. In my experience it's the one that people choose least of all.
5. Personality Politics: "Oh that nice Mr Obama, he's always so well presented. I wonder where he gets his shirts?" Don't laugh, that kind of approach got us Tony Blair for 10 years over here....
So there you are - go ahead and take your pick....
Posts: 3646 | From: Shermer, IL - where else? | Registered: Mar 2001 | Site Updates: 37
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Couldn't have said it better myself. If you don't get involved, and don't vote, then shut your yap... ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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