A non-voter and proud of it, or, Why are people mean to me?

[Godless Dave]

Some states, like mine, have open primaries. You never have to declare your party affiliation in Minnesota.

Unless you want to participate in the party caucuses, then you have to sign a pledge saying you consider yourself a member of the party in whose caucus you're participating. But that's a whole other ball of wax.

And to clarify, primaries are elections for the parties to decide who their candidates will be. I'm curious how it works in Australia. How did Labo(u)r, for example, decide that Mark Latham would be their leader?

[livius drusus]

Originally Posted by wade-w

And even that varies from state to state. It may have changed, but when one party has a particularly strong candidate, it used to be a common tactic in Georgia for members of the other party to vote for weak candidates in the opposing party's primary.

True that, wade. Party Affiliation and Primary Voting

[Dingfod]

From here:

The SCOTUS decided in Calder v. Bull (1798) that the ex post facto law prohibition in Article 1, section 10, of the U.S. Constitution only applies to criminal law, not civil law and that, as faulty as the logic might have been, has not been overturned. In fact, only reinforced by more recent decisions. If a challenge to this Colorado elector issue got thrown out, I understand why.

[lisarea]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

No ma'am. You can register for one of the two major parties or you can register as an Independent. The major party thing allows you to vote in the primary of whichever party you've chosen, but in the general election all options are open.

There are also usually minor parties registered within the state, too. For example, were I to declare as a Libertarian or a Green or something, it'd show up as such on my registration. If I were to list a non-registered party, I think it'd show up as Other, or maybe even Unaffiliated.

As far as primary voting, some states have open and some have closed (meaning that you can only vote for candidates in primaries for your affiliated party--this is why I'm a Republican right now). However, I think everyone can vote on ballot issues, but that might be a state-by-state thing, too.

[godfry n. glad]

Originally Posted by Bree

Thank you, JoeP!

I was always under the impression that your vote was reserved for your use alone - you cast it according to your personal beliefs as to which candidate was in your opinion the best guy for the job. Call me naive, but it never crossed my mind that your vote was something that had to be used up, even for a candidate that you didn't believe in.

Keep in mind that my stance on this issue encompasses MYSELF only. I don't care what 99.9% of you, or anyone, does with their vote. I don't think that your personal integrity is somehow lowered by a compromise when you go to the polls. I apologise if I've insulted some of you inadvertantly (warrenly, for example) but let me assure you this is not the case.

Bravo!

At base, you need not tell people who, or if, you voted. We have a secret ballot in this country for a reason. (In Australia, they have a secret ballot, too, but you're fined if you don't vote...it's the law!)

I have been known to tell people who enquire about my vote that it is none of their damned business.

If you want people to stop being mean to you, stop telling them that you intend to not vote. You invite such boorish behavior in so doing...just as someone who broadcasts their preference does.

godfry

[Dingfod]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

I have been known to tell people who enquire about my vote that it is none of their damned business.

One year, probably during the 80s, I called my dad and asked him "How did you vote?" He said "By secret ballot." and he meant just what you said, it was none of my business. Damn, it was hard to get to know the inner workings of that guy. It is still the case. He may have voted for Reagan back then, but I'd bet a million dollars if I had it that he wouldn't vote for Bush, my mother would skin him alive if he did.

[Bella]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

I have been known to tell people who enquire about my vote that it is none of their damned business.

If you want people to stop being mean to you, stop telling them that you intend to not vote. You invite such boorish behavior in so doing...just as someone who broadcasts their preference does.

Who said wisdom doesn't come with age? Thank you, godfry .

What originally started my friend and I down this rocky road was the fact that employees were walking about with Kerry/Edwards or Bush/Cheney buttons and stickers on their nametags. We thought the workplace was a mighty poor place to be advertising your political preferences, and so we decided that we would join in the frey. What we've learnt is that no matter how worked up people get over Bush/Kerry, they get even more worked up when they think that your non-vote is going to make the other party win - even more worked up than if you simply blatently stated you were going to vote for the opposing party.

[Godless Dave]

Originally Posted by Bree

What originally started my friend and I down this rocky road was the fact that employees were walking about with Kerry/Edwards or Bush/Cheney buttons and stickers on their nametags. We thought the workplace was a mighty poor place to be advertising your political preferences

How come?

Originally Posted by Bree

What we've learnt is that no matter how worked up people get over Bush/Kerry, they get even more worked up when they think that your non-vote is going to make the other party win - even more worked up than if you simply blatently stated you were going to vote for the opposing party.

I imagine some of them were worked up for the same reason I am: that a young woman with a lot at stake in this election would not only shirk her duty as a citizen but take pride in it.

[Nil Desperandum]

Originally Posted by lisarea

You made some assholean comment about not knowing where such 'random' comments came from, rather than simply asking what I was referring to.

Even if you haven't heard of the challenges regarding its 'retroactive' aspect, you can assume that I didn't just pull it out of my ass for no fucking reason, or at the very least not assume that I'm just typing randomly. You could have looked it the fuck up yourself, or you could have asked directly, rather than in a manner that wasn't rude, dismissive, and unnecessarily offensive. This can't be the first time something's gone over your head.

I am very patient with politely phrased questions or even with misunderstandings. You no longer merit patience.

I'd hate to think what you are like in person if you get this worked up over a fucking emoticon.

Anyway, on with the show.

[Nil Desperandum]

Originally Posted by warrenly

From here:

The SCOTUS decided in Calder v. Bull (1798) that the ex post facto law prohibition in Article 1, section 10, of the U.S. Constitution only applies to criminal law, not civil law and that, as faulty as the logic might have been, has not been overturned. In fact, only reinforced by more recent decisions. If a challenge to this Colorado elector issue got thrown out, I understand why.

Thanks for the link, warrenly. Good reading.

[Shake]

So, Bree, did you end up sticking to your guns and not voting?

If not, I hope you're happy with the results.

[Cool Hand]

Originally Posted by Shake

So, Bree, did you end up sticking to your guns and not voting?

If not, I hope you're happy with the results.

Hmmm....Is it really any of our business or anyone else's whether Bree voted? I suppose it's OK to ask just out of friendly curiosity, especially since she brought up the topic in her OP, but your second sentence sounds to me like you're hinting that she bears some responsibility for the result.

In other words, to me, it sounds like a guilt trip. If that's what you are doing, it's not fair, and it's not very nice. If that isn't your intent, then please disregard my post.

Cool Hand

[Godless Dave]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand

In other words, to me, it sounds like a guilt trip. If that's what you are doing, it's not fair, and it's not very nice.

Personally I think a guilt trip in this situation is entirely fair. Anyone who could have voted but didn't should feel guilty.

[Cool Hand]

Originally Posted by Godless Dave

Personally I think a guilt trip in this situation is entirely fair. Anyone who could have voted but didn't should feel guilty.

Well, in the U.S. at least, having the right to vote also implies having the freedom not to vote. That's just as important, in my opinion, as being able to vote. There should be no guilt attached at all.

I see this as little different from the First Amendment's freedom to exercise one's religion and the prohibition on government's establishing a state religion, when taken together, implying a freedom to not observe or subscribe to any religion.

What does Bree have to feel guilty about if she didn't vote? Not voting can be a statement itself. I fully support anyone's right not to vote.

Cool Hand

[Dingfod]

I do too. In fact, I wish about 4 or 5 million voters of a certain bent had stayed away from the polling places as well.

* Dingfod backs out of the room


But, if wishes were fishes, we'd all have a fry.

[Shake]

Well, since Bree started the topic of not voting, and we're on ... what? page 9 now ... there's been a lot of discussion (of which I can't say I've followed every word), so I was just wondering if she'd been swayed or not.

I'm not trying to say the result is her responsibility, but I do feel that lack of participation negates the right to complain about any results. Silence implies consent, IMO.

So again, since Bree opened the discussion in the first place, I think we do have a right to know if she voted. I don't care to know, if she did vote, which particular candidates she selected. That's a personal matter, which she could share if she felt like it.

[beyelzu]

just a little reminder: when I talk about the doomed, the scum, the people who no longer give a shit, the people who look away from the pain in the streets, the people who don't care who runs the country... when I talk about he filth of the city... I'm talking about you.


spider jerusalem

tales of human waste

[ApostateAbe]

Bree's last post came in the midst of the post-election rage. She was assaulted bukkake-style for her views. I doubt she will be coming back, but if she does, I would advise her to stay out of here.

[Shake]

Well that's too bad. I'd stayed away from this thread because I couldn't fathom someone giving up their right/privilege to vote whether their candidate was going to easily carry their state or not. As I believe I mentioned earlier, there were other races other than President being contested. I was hoping she'd have at least gotten out to vote for some of the local offices, which IMO, have more impact on immediate day-to-day living. Well, we'll see if she comes back.

[D. Scarlatti]

Originally Posted by ApostateAbe

She was assaulted bukkake-style for her views.

Now there's an elegant turn of phrase.

What in tarnation would have conjured that evocative bon mot?

[Petra]

What's bukkake?

[Goliath]

Originally Posted by lunachick

What's bukkake?

It's a Japanese fetish (at least, I think it started in Japan)..anyways, it involves one woman and a lot of guys...um...unloading on her, so to speak <nudge, nudge, wink, wink>.

[ApostateAbe]

Bukkake is the Japanese sex practice of males blowing their loads on the faces of females. According to legend, it started when it was done as a public punishment for unfaithful wives. The convicted woman would be pilloried and the men in the town would cream her face. But, really, it probably started in the Japanes porn industry. They wanted to appear "hard-core," yet they couldn't show genitalia by law, so bukkake was born.

Bree has returned to post in the Food forum and the Arts forum. I hope you treat her more civilly.

[Petra]

Good lord, how do you people know this stuff?!


As for being civil to Bree in any thread bar this one - I am. And I've yet to see others being uncivil to her in any thread bar this one. Oh, and that other one about politics and voting an' stuff that was active at the time of Bush winning a second term.

I have respect for Bree in all areas except here - and I refuse to feign any respect for her in this issue. Just as I'm sure you'll refuse to feign any respect for me calling her a cunt over it.

See how that works? Simple, huh.

[D. Scarlatti]

Accordingly, I trust the bukkake metaphor will not reappear in the Food and Drink section.