This is going to be my first time to vote. I want to know what to look for, what to base it on and all. I don't care what party they are im not going to be like my parents on that , they like all republic tickets. I need some tips espically being so new to the voting and all and I dont watch alot on tv and stuff to know. So any tips on what to watch for would be appreciated.
Posts: 8655 | Location: BLONDEVILLE, USA | Registered: 06-07-02
I think the best thing to do is go online and perform a search on the candidates. Read the party platform and see which one you most agree with. However, some issues wont be a problem. Abortion, for instance, will never be illegal (like the Republicans want) because it is way too contraversial and the Rebublicans in Congress want to keep their job +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 02-05-04, 07:09 AM MrsS Know where you stand on major issues....abortion, civil rights, the death penalty, whatever the things are that you care the most about and then read carefully what each candidate says about these issues, and watch the debates, find out what groups are endorsing each candidate, find out if they did a good job in their past office(Senator, Governor, whatever) and talk to other people whose opinions you respect and/or agree with....then vote for the person you think would do the best job.
02-05-04, 12:14 PM FredPuli Always say to yourself " Fine, but what has the candidate not said?"
Try to guess from what is not said what is wrong with the statement, the claim of the candidate. I say 'guess'; if you read and ask around you should get clues enough.
Read every word of a slogan or promise carefully with that in mind.
If I were to say to you " No new taxes, I promise" I might still increase the existing taxes, the old taxes when elected ! Even if I did increase them then my promise would still be true.I did not say I would not increase taxation.( Read it again: " no new taxes" I said nothing about 'old' taxes ). That's a very simple example; believe me, real politicians use words that way a lot!
Always remember that nothing in politics is simply answered 'yes' or 'no'. Distrust anyone who says that anything is certain to happen as a result of this or that policy.Ask yourself, and if you cannot answer try to find out: 'is this assuming something which is not so now or may never happen' and 'what else will this policy bring which he/she has not mentioned?'Again you will find older people and reading around will help. Particularly if these people always vote one way you may find that they cannot answer those two questions themselves Smile! (Because they never thought to question that way themselves Smile) Nothing, no policy, is 100% good for everyone in every way !
Welcome to the world of government.
Whatever you decide make sure that you vote.It is stupid in the extreme to think that your one vote does not matter. You will hear people ask 'What difference does it make? Why should I bother?'. Well,not voting at all sure makes a difference; nobody gets to know what such non-voters think ( except when they complain about the result of the election and what the newly elected government does. Then they complain enough to anyone who'll listen ! Smile)
02-05-04, 04:39 PM gatman First is to know yourself, your values and concerns, Then listen to the claims and promises of the candidates - much of which will be ummm...exagerations. Decide if the proposed programs make any sense and which candidate is more suitable.
More basic is to look at the sandidates character. No party has a lock on having the right stuff. And finally look at the voting record. How does it match your views. Is there consistantcy there. Are changes of a flip flop nature or do they indicate an evolving opinion.
02-05-04, 09:46 PM Sarai Repeat after me. Eenie, meanie, miney, moe... Big Grin
02-05-04, 10:51 PM coldfuse 1. Believe what the candidates do, not what they say. If they have been politicians for a while, their voting record should provide a good starting place.
2. Research on the 'net will lead you to many half-truths and lies from people who wish to either promote or criticize a particular candidate - consider the sources and ask for the power of discernment!
3. Learn as much as you can about candidates that interest you, watch their televised debates - see if you become enthusiastic about someone! That can make things fun.
March second, the date of the Ohio primary, is called "Super Tuesday." Ten other states also have primaries that day and the results will give new dimension to the Presidential race.
02-06-04, 12:38 AM samantha Thanks so much for all the great tips here. I see what you mean by what they say and promise on things..to read the fine print basically. Fuse thanks also for the date in March to watch for..These things are just great now I will have a better insight to who to watch out for and all and how to use the information that I get. I sure appreciate this. Smile
Gatman what voting record are you refering to?
I think I do better watching it on TV than reading about it too and it will be nice to make it sorta fun at the same time. Also great idea Mrss on seeing where they stand on major issues that match mine.
02-06-04, 09:18 AM methos I believe Gat is referring to the congressional voting record (i.e. what bills they voted for and against). This is one reason that senators have historically had less success getting elected than governors. Senators often compromise and there is a clear record of every time that they did, governors have a less clear record. Of course, there are other reasons why governors are more likely to be voted president, including that the presidency is in many ways more like a governorship and that many people tend to like the idea of a outsider.
02-06-04, 02:50 PM samantha Ok thanks Methos for that explaiation for me.
02-06-04, 08:21 PM Lighteningrodd We all know all politicians are crooks anyway. All you gotta do is decide which crook deserves your vote. Big Grin
Roll Eyes
02-07-04, 11:12 AM wlmwallace Never, never, never, vote for a liberal!
02-07-04, 05:17 PM DorianGreyed I had hoped that all posts in this thread would be objective, but apparently, we will now have to strive for an almost perfectly unbiased thread. Sammy, you need to decide on what is important to you, how you value things, and then see which politician is closest to your views. It is unlikely you will find an exact match. This is an introduction to politics; you will have to compromise. Ask yourself which values you have are ones that you are unwilling to sacrifice. Can you overlook some for a candidate's overall agreement with your views? Above all, ask the opinion of people whose opinion you respect for their analysis of issues. Remember that all will tell you their side of an issue. If they cannot express the other side fairly, they are too biased to help you; all they want is to convince you to vote their way. There have been good men and bad men on all sides of an issue, and good men usually have done some bad things, and bad men usually have done some good things. Search out verifiable facts, not screaming headlines. Don't accept anything anyone says as fact without questioning those facts. Ask questions, and pay attention. Remember, your vote is as important as anyone's.
02-07-04, 05:41 PM gatman Right, I mean the voting record of the different candidates.
It also helps to know about different laws and requirements. For instance any state Governor running for office can claim to have balanced the budget. States are required to by increasing taxes, arranging borrowing or cutting expenses. They can not print money. Ergo such a c;aim is empty and meaningless for a presidential bid.
02-07-04, 11:24 PM coldfuse
quote:Originally posted by gatman: For instance any state Governor running for office can claim to have balanced the budget....They can not print money.
Of note, many states have budget shortfalls. Forty or more had deficits in their respective fiscal years following 911.
I also don't think you intend to imply that the Federal government makes up for its shortfalls by physically printing money. Printing money accounts for a small fraction of measures taken by the U.S. government when an increase in the money supply is desired.
02-07-04, 11:30 PM samantha Jeeze this is getting more complicated than i thought Eek Thanks for the tips Dorian and gatman I will look close at the issues and try to remember to ask questions and all that are important to me.
Why would you say never vote for a liberal?
02-08-04, 06:41 AM Fritzzs To counteract all of those who say "never vote for a conservative"....
It would do you well to check out Kerrys voting record...That would give you a real clue where he is headed....
02-08-04, 09:54 AM Kelleygirl I don't think it's our role to tell Sammy how to vote whether it be liberal or conservative or whatever. She's just asking us how to gather accurate information in order to make a good decision. I (like any of us) could definitely try to sway her to vote for one candidate or another, but that's her call. Good luck, Sammy; this is one of our biggest responsibilities as a citizen of this country ---to elect who we perceive will do the best job for EVERYONE in our country.
02-08-04, 10:45 AM FredPuli Sammy, some of us had hoped that your post would be answered neutrally and objectively without anyone bringing their own politics into it Big Grin Never mind!
From a long away way from them (and you)in a different land, let me try. Make up your own mind, independently, asking and looking around, as suggested before here.
The word 'liberal' is interesting because what is 'liberal' changes over years; what is or was 'liberal' to one generation is not to the next. (This is as true of England though our words for your word 'liberal' are different; liberal here has a different meaning)
If you have the time, look back over history.Think of what has been a reform in our lives, our society. I think that you will find that a great deal of what has been termed 'liberal' in its day (or its equivalent here in Britain) has over the years stopped being unthinkable, 'liberal', and become normal, mainstream, middle ground, reasonable to us all. How and why did that happen when it did? Calling something 'liberal' is not an answer to it; it could be sound enough Smile
You might care to ask anyone who studies history whether obvious things in the way of changes in our world, such as votes for women or healthcare (of any kind) or unemployment relief paid from taxes, or a right to belong to a trade union or strike or any other changes that have happened to society over many years were called 'liberal'in their time.They probably were so in the USA;many were called the equivalent of your word 'liberal' here in Britain.
Changes that we accept now were condemned as 'liberal' and interfering with rights of an individual or section of the people, or contrary to tradition, or unjust, or even 'socialist'.
Or perhaps you should just read and accept what Ambrose Bierce said about the words conservative and liberal in US politics over ninety years ago:
"Conservative: A statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as distinguished from a liberal, who wishes to replace them with others"
I fear it may still be true ! Wink
02-08-04, 04:01 PM DorianGreyed I think that what those who have answered Sammy in a fair, unbiased way, without referring to their particular preferences, shows a lot about their character.
I think that what those who have answered Sammy in a one-sided, biased way, using what should have been a thread to help someone come to her own conclusions, shows a lot about their character as well.
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Posts: 720 | Location: Wichita Falls, Texas | Registered: 06-04-02
Jeeze I did't realize how much work there is to voting. So many people i know just say they want to vote all democrat or republican. I think I have a job to do now with all the information I have collected here from all you guys (thanks) and it looks like alot of work..so I want to thank all of you guys who helped me out. I really appreciate this and I will probably have more questions as the time gets closer.. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 02-08-04, 05:40 PM gatman
quote:Originally posted by coldfuse: Of note, _many_ states have budget shortfalls. Forty or more had deficits in their respective fiscal years following 911.
I also don't think you intend to imply that the Federal government makes up for its shortfalls by physically printing money. Printing money accounts for a small fraction of measures taken by the U.S. government when an increase in the money supply is desired.
Those states have had to take money from rainy day funds or borrow and budget that expense to balance the budgets for each year.
The Federal Reserve creates money to regulate the money supply, the economy and help move the various market interest rates. The actual printing of money is superfluous except as a convenience for shopping. I would prefer to keep this thread more on the original target.
02-08-04, 05:45 PM AMoore
quote:Originally posted by samantha: Jeeze I did't realize how much work there is to voting. So many people i know just say they want to vote all democrat or republican. I think I have a job to do now with all the information I have collected here from all you guys (thanks) and it looks like alot of work..so I want to thank all of you guys who helped me out. I really appreciate this and I will probably have more questions as the time gets closer.. Roll Eyes
Don't worry. Just make sure you have a coin in your pocket come election day.
Alan Moore
02-08-04, 07:00 PM samantha Cool Alan coins I do have! Big Grin
02-10-04, 10:57 AM wlmwallace
quote:Originally posted by Doriangreyed: I think that what those who have answered Sammy in a fair, unbiased way, without referring to their particular preferences, shows a lot about their character. I think that what those who have answered Sammy in a one-sided, biased way, using what should have been a thread to help someone come to her own conclusions, shows a lot about their character as well.
spoken like a true liberal. Big Grin
02-10-04, 03:15 PM clarebear Sammy,
I too find it difficult to know who to vote for. If you have noticed, many political threads here end up in heated arguments. People have so many different point of views. Knowing who to vote for can be quite confusing. Many times after you vote, people will ask who you voted for. You may hear "Oh, Geeze... you voted for so and so. Roll Eyes" I think that when you do vote that you shouldn't tell everyone who you voted for. Just tell them you don't discuss who you vote for. Wink
I did find a site which can tell you what some of the major issues are and what the views of the candidates are. Many times your local Sunday newspaper will have all the candidates and what their views are. If there are organizations that you are a member of then you can see who they endorse. Try to pick someone with the views closest to yours. This would include abortion, education, taxes, job etc.. All you can do is try to research each candidate and pick the one you personally think would be best.
02-10-04, 04:20 PM samantha Thank you so much Clare..that is a great website just what I needed. I saved that one to my favorites! Smile
02-10-04, 06:29 PM Kelleygirl Re the website that Clarebear gave, I appreciate her help but I think that it needs to be updated and I found some inaccuracies right off. It lists Paul Patton as governor of Kentucky -- he was last year. It describes Dennis Miller as a liberal --- not at all. And it shows Nader as a president candidate --- he was not yet declared whether he is interested or not. Don't know if there are any more corrections to be made.
02-10-04, 09:41 PM coldfuse Sammy - whoever you vote for - vote! The fun part is that you can't make a mistake. Extremely smart people vote for every candidate and your reasons are just as solid as theirs - even if it's because "you don't trust the other guy."
I have made up my mind in the parking lot outside of a precinct simply because an overzealous campaign worker bothered me.
It is your right as a citizen - go for it (and don't forget the coin Alan spoke of)!
02-11-04, 08:15 AM clarebear Thanks for the correction Kelleygirl. Smile
I do think the issues that each candidate supports are pretty accurate.(They look pretty accurate based on what I have read other places)
If anyone knows of a better site or any other site that shows what each candidate supports please post it here. (I need all the help I can get) Wink
02-11-04, 08:50 AM samantha Will do fuse. This is going to be hard thou chosing who to vote for ...they probably all sound good. So I will do my best to pick the one I want..if they don't win ..well see if i ever vote again! Big Grin
02-11-04, 06:44 PM Kelleygirl Clarebear, maybe if we combine your site and this one, we might have something. Big Grin
02-11-04, 08:02 PM samantha Ok kellygurl I sure will and thanks so much Smile
02-11-04, 09:34 PM clarebear Thanks Kelleygirl!
Actually that was the FIRST site I found but I wasn't sure about it so I didn't post it. Roll Eyes Big Grin
02-11-04, 10:19 PM samantha OMG i never knew there was so many running! Eek Did you guys actually read some of the background on these guys? omg How can some run when they have NEVER held a public office...
02-12-04, 06:16 AM Kelleygirl Well, Sammy, one example would be California's new governor, Arnold, unless you consider an "exterminator" an office title. Big Grin
02-12-04, 09:03 PM AMoore
quote:Originally posted by Kelleygirl: Well, Sammy, one example would be California's new governor, Arnold, unless you consider an "exterminator" an office title. Big Grin
During the recall campaign, we went to check out his film "Total Recall" from the local video rental place, but someone else had beat us to it. Several someones, probably...
The state employees are referring to him as "The Governator." He's not well liked among his subordinates, apparently.
Alan Moore
02-12-04, 09:43 PM gatman Having held a public office per se is not a requirement. Having leadership skills and a group of knowledgable and trusted advisors is.
02-12-04, 11:30 PM samantha Jeeze That Arnold! Wonder when he will for President? Big Grin
02-13-04, 12:05 AM DorianGreyed He can't run for president, Sammy, unless the US Constitution is changed, and that is unlikely, in my opinion.
Constitution of the United States of America
Article II, section 1 (paragraph 5)
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President;
Schwarzenegger was born in Thal, Austria, of Austrian parent, and thus is ineligible to be president of the US. He became a US citizen in 1983.
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Posts: 8655 | Location: BLONDEVILLE, USA | Registered: 06-07-02
