Last week in Tucson, sent by Susan Delaney. (Our sending machine.)
And now we vote.
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Tue Nov 6, 2012 7:04 AM EST
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I just voted, straight party line -- the Working Families Party.
Voted for that nice young man from Chicago with the Irish-sounding name, as well as for Mr. Biden. And for Kirsten Gillibrand, who used to be my Congressperson.
Voting is imperative even if you prefer third parties and even if it appears there is no hope that your preferred candidate could win. BUT- It seems to me the only sensible thing to consider is whether votes for a third party could plausibly change the outcome of a Dem candidates chances in an election. That's why voting against Obama in a swing state, or voting against dems in House and Senate races makes utterly no sense to me.
I'm voting for Jill Stein (Greens) because I live in Hawaii and there is no chance that my vote will alter the outcome even in the unlikely scenario that a large aggregate of voters also chose Stein. Even in such an unlikely scenario there would be no danger that the President would lose Hawaii's electoral votes.
However if I were in a swing state or even a slight lean Dem or GOP state, there is no question that the sane and responsible way for a progressive to vote is for Obama.
People are shocked that I- a fierce supporter of Obama would vote for Stein. Me- the guy in the photo with my arms around Barack and Michele's waists, voting against them. Do I have a change of heart on them? No. They are good, slightly left of center folks. Decent, honest people. My views are that we need more energetically progressive policies to correct social and global inequities. I differ with them on these subjects.
This principle applies to conservatives as well, for example many of my conservative friends are more accurately evangelical or libertarian voters. For these individuals, Romney was about last in the list of those in the GOP primaries. And this situation is not unique. For the large numbers of US citizens who live in the other states, we have a completely different situation on the Presidential choices. For the states where there is no chance the other party will win the state, functionally we are disenfranchised regarding the Presidential choices. Our vote for President is a throwaway. Of course voting is imperative due to what are arguably the more important races in the Senate and House.
We are free to vote our conscience and indeed we should vote as we would with a more equitable ranked choice voting system. If the two major parties were Dems and Greens, there is no question that I would vote for Jill Stein over Obama. I live in a deep blue state, so that is who I am voting for. For conservative voters in either deep red or deep blue states, if the two parties were GOP and Libertarian, if you would vote libertarian, then why not vote for Gary Johnson.
For people who would vote for a third party if it was not self defeating to the general progressive of conservative movements you subscribe to, then face the facts. If you live in deep red or deep blue states like New York, Texas, Oklahoma or California, then your vote for either DEM or GOP presidential candidates is a throwaway.
None of this of course applies to down ballot. Of course I will be voting all Dem for the Senate and House and local seats in my state of Hawaii.
Be sensible. Voting a straight party ballot is seldom the practical political move to make to maximize your goals, whatever your political persuasion is.
Good day, sunshine, here in NY. On my way out to vote in about 15 minutes. Fired up and ready to go!
Voted weeks ago, by mail--one of the many pleasures of being an Oregonian. Also, did NOT vote for any of the "two" major candidates for President.
Love this pic!
It is sad that those of us in nonswing states are irrevelent in this elections. Kinda makes me wonder what is the point of me even going out? that if I don't I can't make a difference--newsflash-I don't live in swing state so it DOESN'T matter. What a disempowering feeling :(
No vote is irrelevant in an election. Have you ever heard of the popular vote? Please stop the pity party and get out and exercise your constitutional right to vote!
The swing states wouldn't be swinging if not for the voters in the rest of the states. Quit whining and get out and vote. There are lots of down ticket races and proposals and propositions that will be very close. Local and state elections matter!
If you're in a state, you have a member of the House of Representatives to vote for or against. And there's a 2 in 3 chance there's a Senate campaign to vote in. Those are just as important.
Plus, you may have mayoral, county, state positions to fill.
In the presidential race I feel you 'pain'. HOWEVER, I know my vote is needed even more down ballot. There are plenty of state and local races where I know my vote will definitely count. That's important and why you should get out there and vote - NOW!
There are many other races on the ballot. Here in Sacramento, CA, I had a vote for, in addition to President, a Senator, a Congressman, a State Assemblyman, local school board members, and several State propositions and a local school bond measure. Even if you don't want to vote for a presidential candidate (we have 6 choices in California), there are plenty of other local and state issues to vote on. I'm proud to say that I have voted in every election since I first registered to vote at 21 (yes, you once had to be 21 to be eligible), over 40 years ago. I just returned home from my polling place, proudly wearing my "I voted" sticker.
I know this is just one tiny slice of the election, but at my normally gray haired poling place this AM I saw a lot, and I mean a lot, of young women voting. Nobody was talking about how they voted, of course, but the impression I got was Todd Akin is in deep trouble, at least in my deep red neighborhood, either that or there are lot more stepford evangelical women than I thought. Karl Rove has been running anti Obama ads here in KC for about a week. Maybe he has some polling we don't and is afraid a lot of Republican men are going to stay home. In that senerio the President will benefit from women disgusted with Todd Akin. Of course, it could also be his underhanded way of helping Akin. Or he could just be spending money so the Citzens United well doesn't dry up.
Someone needs to contact FOX news in Tampa Florida and see how to get those FEMA trailers up to the people who need them in the Northeast.
For the last year My Wife has been Silent about this election stating Their all Crook's, in 16 years that I've been with her, She has never Voted, Was informed this Morning that She had actually Early Voted. She told me that she Listened to me harp about that #%$^ Robme and she simply said I didn't like the 47% comment and If he can't provide his Go&$%mn TAXES, The Heck with that Jacka$$ !!!
Bless her heart!
RM126, Like I said it was a Total shock, I have spent Alot of my Time looking into thing's and she had to Put up with my complaining and I am not one to be silent. I think she saw that I Care about ALL People, irregardless of Race, Sex, Marriage, whatever. This is 2012, not 1950. I will say what R&R are about is not in my view the best interest of where we are as a nation, as People.
I voted straight D. for the first time. It struck me that any wannabe teabaggers were down ballot with the true tbuggers. Rapeublicans by any name are toxic to my mental health this election.
I really appreciated Rachel's tips about voting from last night, but for me, I wish the advice had come earlier.
On October 20th, I fell and chipped a bone in my left ankle. On October 27th, I tried to early vote. My 16-year-old son, who has a learner's permit, drove me. I do not have a handicapped placard, since I expect an eventual full recovery, and so had to park pretty far from the end of the line. I used a cane and my son's shoulder for support. The line moved only 10 inches in 10 minutes and the people in front of me told me to go up and ask if there was a separate line for the mobility impaired. I got out of line and my son went inside to ask. He came out and said the line stretched as far as he could see inside as well. I left disappointed, but a couple who had just finished voting gave me the information I needed to vote absentee, which I did yesterday.
And this is in the non-swing state of Maryland.
If that does not inspire people to vote, I do not know what will? Thanx
Congratulations on sticking it out, @Shaines. Here's to the healing of your left ankle.
We need new old people! (And less self-centered idiots too!)
Well I voted around 7:05 this morning in Kansas City. Both the President and Claire got my vote along with every other Democrat on the ticket.
I am disabled and voted curbside from the car. A poll worker brought out a electronic device that recorded my vote. I was back home within 30 minutes. I voted because it is my civic duty. I live everyday of my life at the mercy of politicians, everyday except today. Today they are at my mercy!
Too cool they make it that convenient for you. I hope you voted out a bunch of Tpers (aka political terrorists)!
I love this pic! It reminds me of my parents-they always cancelled each others votes. Dad is probably stomping on a cloud that I raised 2 kids further left than I am!
Hilarious photo - yet the signs tell their own story - one pre-printed, letter perfect, purchased (by someone, if not the current holder) - the other hand-made, passionate, bright and cheerful - held by a woman grinning ear-to-ear, I might add. I'm with her!
She made her own sign. His was probably paid for by the Kochroaches.
I just returned from voting a straight Democratic ticket. No line, plenty of voting booths. Nothing but helpful poll workers. Maybe next time we'll have on-line voting here in California.
I voted at 1630 EST, arrived home and had a plate of meat and potatoes with a slice of pumpernickel bread.
Now, i am having a brownie.
Can't get anymore American than that!
Straight Democrat ticket! (and I'm an Independent)