Poll: Civic Duty

[fell8]

Um, no. It represents how only the two, MAYBE three (Pero a few years back) candidates get noticed, and the GOP/Dem candidates agree not to even debate any others. The relationship with the MSM is part of the problem. If a person gets on enough states' ballots, they should be able to at least debate the other candidates.

Well, I certainly can't argue with your point, it's quite valid. What I meant by "illustrating poorly represented importance" was how it relates the "popularity contest" mentality. Voters who take voting seriously want broader, more in-depth coverage. If most (ideally all) voters demanded such coverage, the media would provide it or risk losing their audience.

First off, try three. Second, most states don't even count write-ins.

Well, I can only speak for my state, but last November there were no fewer than 5 presidential candidates on the ballot. As for not counting write-ins, again I can only speak from my expreience, but in February we had a local offical elected by write-in. Besides, the important thing is the message sent.

I doubt it. Why would have such big PR machines for crappy candidates if they could field good ones?

You're probably right, but would it hurt to try?

 

[Cerb]

(...)

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: fell8

Um, no. It represents how only the two, MAYBE three (Pero a few years back) candidates get noticed, and the GOP/Dem candidates agree not to even debate any others. The relationship with the MSM is part of the problem. If a person gets on enough states' ballots, they should be able to at least debate the other candidates.

Well, I certainly can't argue with your point, it's quite valid. What I meant by "illustrating poorly represented importance" was how it relates the "popularity contest" mentality. Voters who take voting seriously want broader, more in-depth coverage. If most (ideally all) voters demanded such coverage, the media would provide it or risk losing their audience.

Agreed

<br
First off, try three. Second, most states don't even count write-ins.

Well, I can only speak for my state, but last November there were no fewer than 5 presidential candidates on the ballot. As for not counting write-ins, again I can only speak from my expreience, but in February we had a local offical elected by write-in. Besides, the important thing is the message sent.

Yes, which is why many states just ignoring them gets me annoyed.

I doubt it. Why would have such big PR machines for crappy candidates if they could field good ones?

You're probably right, but would it hurt to try?

Try which?

Unfortunately, actual good candidates, of which I would agree that McCain is better than most, don't tend to be very good at firing back when attacked. This is part of what cost McCain last time.

 

[fell8]

Try which?

Sending a message by selecting alternate candidates.

Unfortunately, actual good candidates, of which I would agree that McCain is better than most, don't tend to be very good at firing back when attacked. This is part of what cost McCain last time.

Yeah, "nice guys finish last". Sad but true (at least for now).

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: Zebo
The well healed always "dodged the draft" perfectly legally. Next you assume these ghetto kids/farm boys drafted in the past had the means to leave the county. Most did'nt and forced to die by their economic circumstance. Then who's going to take them? Canada? Mabe maybe not. Then why should these young men have to flee thier country where they were born to fight some old usually a well healed draft dodgers war?

IMO Only those who would be called upon to risk their lives for their country should have the privilege of voting to determine whether the nation should go to war. Right there would eliminate all but defensive wars and killing and stop the MIC boondoggle going on at tax payers and poor soldiers spent bloods expense. That's not the way it works though excutives at Lockheed/hal get millions in bonuses while our soldiers and familes suffer. How about paying them what a soldier makes in time of war? The soldiers are sacrificing why not them?

Did I make any statements to indicate what you claim that I am assuming? I'm not seeing them. You try to take one statement and turn it into a declaration of class warfare? But seriously, you're handling this objectively and not just trying to attack me. :roll:

 

[fell8]

IMO Only those who would be called upon to risk their lives for their country should have the privilege of voting to determine whether the nation should go to war. Right there would eliminate all but defensive wars and killing and stop the MIC boondoggle going on at tax payers and poor soldiers spent bloods expense. That's not the way it works though excutives at Lockheed/hal get millions in bonuses while our soldiers and familes suffer. How about paying them what a soldier makes in time of war? The soldiers are sacrificing why not them?

An interesting idea, but I don't think shifting the authority to declare war from congress is the best option.

According to one Israeli pilot who refuses to fly bombing missions on Palistinian civillian targets, they are not only empowered, but encouraged to refuse to follow orders they believe are illegal. This pilot is participating in a speaking tour denouncing Israel's military action aganst the Palistinian people. According to him, the Israeli government haven't taken legal action aganst him or the twenty-odd other pilots who also refuse these missions because the courts would find in the pilots' favor, effectively declairing Israel's military action illegal. Now that's a balance of power. Fight a legal war or risk losing manpower.

 

[piasabird]

I think it is wrong that our country expects its citizens to miss working to the point we can not support our own family. I was on a jury once and we were paid less than minimum wage for our time. i.e. $10 a day.

 

[PELarson]

You forgot "answering really dumb polls, that try to make one duty seem more important than the others!"

 

[fell8]

Originally posted by: PELarson
You forgot "answering really dumb polls, that try to make one duty seem more important than the others!"

Do you feel all these duties are equally important?