2012 US Presidential Election

[RD]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giddygirlie/2987270819/

[sorudo]

In principle, yes.

In practice, a vote given to a small party that has no chance of winning seats basically ends up not mattering at all... hence people feel forced to make a strategic vote and vote for whoever is likely to win that they dislike least.

and that is exactly what's wrong with politics, a vote is only useful if it's used on a party that has the most chances to win but it makes your choice of vote less likely your personal vote.
what ppl actually have to do is not listen to some speeches but see what they "promise" to do, nothing else matters.
you can see the "promises" and vote on your opinion, when the votes are in then and only then you see who wins.
it's not really a fair fight when you don't have ppl voting honest but trough sheer pressure, revealing the stand in mid voting period is only making things worse.

this isn't just for one country, this is for every country in the world that has a voting system.
even here in holland things are not done properly, the voting machines are really unclear and you don't really have a clear way to understand who does what.
i ones voted for a party that is about animal protection, i knew it would not win but i could not find the one i did want to vote for.

[Alaris]

what ppl actually have to do is not listen to some speeches but see what they "promise" to do, nothing else matters.

What matters more is to first get a good system in place, so that actually voting what you want makes a difference.

Right now, if 30% of people each vote for a candidate, and 40% vote for the third, likelihood is that the 40% one gets most or all the power instead of the power being divided amongst all three candidates.

I'd rather have three people argue over how to fix the country, than run the chance of having one power-hungry person making all the wrong moves.

http://therealnews.com/t2/component/...video_id=74170

[sorudo]

What matters more is to first get a good system in place, so that actually voting what you want makes a difference.

Right now, if 30% of people each vote for a candidate, and 40% vote for the third, likelihood is that the 40% one gets most or all the power instead of the power being divided amongst all three candidates.

I'd rather have three people argue over how to fix the country, than run the chance of having one power-hungry person making all the wrong moves.

heh, we have that here, only it's 150 ppl yelling at each other on how wrong the other is......it's a mess....

[Alaris]

heh, we have that here, only it's 150 ppl yelling at each other on how wrong the other is......it's a mess....

As bad as when Bush was president? I doubt it.

[raspberry jam]

True, but to some people voting for one of two completely unsavory choices is also throwing your vote away.

Then why do so many Americans vote? Are you that easily tricked?

This. It's not "throwing away my vote" if I give it to the candidate I think is best for the office, realistic chance of winning or not.

Well, if you vote for a candidate that will lose for sure, he will at least be encouraged to try again (and just lose again). More people running for president will create the illusion that the citizens of your country have a wider choice when electing their leader, thus making people feel more free. So really you are not throwing away your vote, you are performing a public service.

[Alaris]

Freedom freedom freedom EH! Freedom freedom freedom EH!

[raspberry jam]

Freedom freedom freedom EH! Freedom freedom freedom EH!

I'm proud of you, you sound like a True American. Alabama4ever

[Zalis]

This is definitely the best election-related thing I've seen this year, courtesy of California Tortilla.
(a D.C./VA/MD-based franchise, ironically)

Josh Ellen and Marc Henderson! These two enterprising young men (for all I know they’re 104) came up with the winning names for our Presidential Burrito Bowls coming Monday, August 13th. Just look at these great names – and bowls:

Obama’s Chicken Teriyaki Luau Bowl: Mexican rice, grilled chicken, Teriyaki sauce, stir fry vegetables, grilled pineapple spears, garnished with chopped green onions and served in a bowl. (Please make my day and do the hula when you order it.)

Romney’s Mexican Mitt-Loaf Bowl: Grilled Mexican meatloaf, fresh mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, a sweet and savory sauce, corn, and salsa garnished with chopped green onions and served in a bowl. Mitt-Loaf. I love it.

So congratulations Josh and Marc. You’ve both won a catered party for 20 on Election night AND a 50” flat screen TV. Woo-hoo! (Fine print: you have to move in together and share it.)

As for the rest of you, you’ve won the ability to sway the election. Just gather up all your like-minded friends starting August 13^thand order the burrito bowl of your preferred candidate over and over again. We guarantee whosever burrito bowl sells the most will be our next president. GUARANTEE IT. (The December Taco Talk may be written from jail.)

So if you care about your country (or us) at all, you’ll eat here many times in the next few months. It’s your patriotic duty.

[MixedVariety]

Then why do so many Americans vote? Are you that easily tricked?

No fair, that's one of those 'So have you stopped beating your wife yet?' questions.