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Uninformed electorate

__ Posts: 6,651
edited September 2008 in A Moving Train
My god, people, what are we going to do??? Half the people I hear talk about the election don't seem to have a basic knowledge of the issues, the candidates, or the electoral process. If I hear one more person tell me Obama's a Muslim, or, even though they don't think abortion should be illegal, they would never vote for a pro-choice candidate, or they strongly support [whoever] but can't actually articulate ANY concrete reason, or they're upset that they can't vote for McCain because they're registered as a Democrat, etc., etc., I think I might spontaneously combust!

Now I'm not saying it's only McCain supporters who or ignorant, or that being ignorant is the same as being stupid, or that I'm as well-informed as I should be. But I just think it's a tragic joke when many, many people vote based solely on the fluff crap propaganda we get from much of the media & elsewhere.

Why can't we have an election where the candidates lay out their issues - pros AND cons - in a straightforward manner, everything that's said must actually be true, we don't even know what the candidates look like, etc. and we vote based on a true understanding of what's going on? If they really believe their positions, voting records, & experiences are right, those things should be able to stand alone as a solid platform for their campaign - not who wears flag pins and how they do their hair.

Sorry, I've just heard a lot of ignorant comments today and it makes me sad and afraid for our country. Rant over. :(
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  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,500
    scb wrote:
    My god, people, what are we going to do??? Half the people I hear talk about the election don't seem to have a basic knowledge of the issues, the candidates, or the electoral process. If I hear one more person tell me Obama's a Muslim, or, even though they don't think abortion should be illegal, they would never vote for a pro-choice candidate, or they strongly support [whoever] but can't actually articulate ANY concrete reason, or they're upset that they can't vote for McCain because they're registered as a Democrat, etc., etc., I think I might spontaneously combust!

    Now I'm not saying it's only McCain supporters who or ignorant, or that being ignorant is the same as being stupid, or that I'm as well-informed as I should be. But I just think it's a tragic joke when many, many people vote based solely on the fluff crap propaganda we get from much of the media & elsewhere.

    Why can't we have an election where the candidates lay out their issues - pros AND cons - in a straightforward manner, everything that's said must actually be true, we don't even know what the candidates look like, etc. and we vote based on a true understanding of what's going on? If they really believe their positions, voting records, & experience is right, those things should be able to stand alone as a solid platform for their campaign - not who wears flag pins and how they do their hair.

    Sorry, I've just heard a lot of ignorant comments today and it makes me sad and afraid for our country. Rant over. :(

    Where do you live and work?
    hippiemom = goodness
  • panthergirlpanthergirl Posts: 469
    my next door neighbor just got a text message from a client (she sells advertising)
    advising people not to vote for the n***er.


    she was so upset.
    her obama yard sign was graffiti-ed last week, then it was run over.
    i just put a new one in her yard.

    that's the mentality, folks.
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  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    We have two people running for the highest offices of America who have become reclusive. They aren't even trying to address any issues. Its like fuck you, I'm in there.

    We have state employees and private citizens following their lead in ignoring government subponeas and they aren't even elected.

    We have a candidate that has clearly compromise her elected positions, yet the Justice Department is staying out of the matter.

    We have a candidate who hasn't been in charge of his own destination since Lieberman was bypassed and who's health is questionable.

    We have two people running for the highest offices of America who have become reclusive.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • Brain of J.LoBrain of J.Lo Posts: 3,259
    I've been lurking on this conservative parenting message board, and the other day there was this thread about how these women are so annoyed with the way that Obama is playing "the race card." They think it's unfair to imply that people will not vote for him because of his race because, after all, he's not even black; he's an Arab.

    Seriously....there were around 80 replies to this thread, and most of them consisted of agreeing with each other and patting each other on the back for being smarter than everyone else who doesn't "get it".

    *sigh*

    I still think you should have to pass a test before your vote counts. ;)
  • Brain of J.LoBrain of J.Lo Posts: 3,259
    puremagic wrote:
    Its like fuck you, I'm in there.

    The fact that they would demand "deference" from reporters hoping to make Palin answer a fucking question or two...

    Why is the press not completely revolting over this? It's fucking outrageous.
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    Brain of J.Lo wrote:
    I've been lurking on this conservative parenting message board, and the other day there was this thread about how these women are so annoyed with the way that Obama is playing "the race card." They think it's unfair to imply that people will not vote for him because of his race because, after all, he's not even black; he's an Arab.

    Seriously....there were around 80 replies to this thread, and most of them consisted of agreeing with each other and patting each other on the back for being smarter than everyone else who doesn't "get it".

    *sigh*

    I still think you should have to pass a test before your vote counts. ;)


    Please I have to deal with this shit with my family. My oldest brother is voting for Obama. He used to be a Republican but the minute Bush tried to amend the constitution to redefine marriage, my oldest brother is gay, he dropped the Reps quick. My other older brother and my parents are die hard Republicans and I constantly have to hear about Obama being a muslim in secret. My mother has stated that she agrees with Obama on almost everything but will not vote for him because his middle name is Hussein. I love my family to death but I can't deal with that level of ignorance. usually when politics come up my older brother and I just slide out of the room and laugh at their conversation.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • Brain of J.LoBrain of J.Lo Posts: 3,259
    mammasan wrote:
    Please I have to deal with this shit with my family. My oldest brother is voting for Obama. He used to be a Republican but the minute Bush tried to amend the constitution to redefine marriage, my oldest brother is gay, he dropped the Reps quick. My other older brother and my parents are die hard Republicans and I constantly have to hear about Obama being a muslim in secret. My mother has stated that she agrees with Obama on almost everything but will not vote for him because his middle name is Hussein. I love my family to death but I can't deal with that level of ignorance. usually when politics come up my older brother and I just slide out of the room and laugh at their conversation.

    My brother is an evangelical republican...in theory....yet nothing about his lifestyle (and I could go on for days) reflects this. You just can't even have a reasonable conversation about politics with him. I'm lucky, though, that my mom and sister and my in-laws are on the same page as I am.

    And then there's my uncle in MO. He actually made the statement to my mom that he dislikes John McCain so much that he'll "even vote for a nigger". I don't even know what to say about that... *sigh* :rolleyes:

    I have a secret wish that Obama will be elected, and that his inaugural address will conclude with "Oh, and by the way...I really AM a Muslim, SUCKERS!" lol :D
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    cincybearcat wrote:
    Where do you live and work?

    I live in New Mexico. I work at the University. (But at work I've only heard ignorant comments from the work-study.)

    Why?
  • blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
    mammasan wrote:
    My mother has stated that she agrees with Obama on almost everything but will not vote for him because his middle name is Hussein.

    i know somebody like that.
    it scares the crap outta me.
    i've said before here, i don't trust the american people when it comes to voting.
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

  • __ Posts: 6,651
    mammasan wrote:
    Please I have to deal with this shit with my family. My oldest brother is voting for Obama. He used to be a Republican but the minute Bush tried to amend the constitution to redefine marriage, my oldest brother is gay, he dropped the Reps quick. My other older brother and my parents are die hard Republicans and I constantly have to hear about Obama being a muslim in secret. My mother has stated that she agrees with Obama on almost everything but will not vote for him because his middle name is Hussein. I love my family to death but I can't deal with that level of ignorance. usually when politics come up my older brother and I just slide out of the room and laugh at their conversation.

    Are we related? ;)
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    scb wrote:
    Are we related? ;)

    Maybe or maybe it's just that the majority of the electorate is uninformed. My girlfriend's best friend is the absolute worse. My parents for the most part are informed about the issues. They are, and I hate to say this a bit on the racist side. It's not beyond my father to drop the N word at leisure. Now my girlfriend's best friend is just one of these really uninformed voters who discusses politics by regurgitating everything she heard on Limbaugh or Hannity. She really does not have an original thought of her own. A few weeks ago her, her husband, my girlfriend and I where out to dinner. We started talking about politics. I'm Libertarian, her husband is a Republican but an informed one, my girlfriend is a raging liberal and then her friend. She blurts out with this bullshit that if Obama is elected it will be manditory for our children to read the Koran in schools. Even her husband had this what the fuck look on his face. No matter how much the three of us tried to explain that this was absolute bullshit she wouldn't hear it.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • LizardLizard So Cal Posts: 12,091
    mammasan wrote:
    She blurts out with this bullshit that if Obama is elected it will be manditory for our children to read the Koran in schools. Even her husband had this what the fuck look on his face. No matter how much the three of us tried to explain that this was absolute bullshit she wouldn't hear it.

    that is the kind of shit that is gonna get McCain voted in unfortunately
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • meisteredermeistereder Posts: 1,577
    We all know people like this.

    I just heard about a week ago from a woman who is Jewish and is very active in her community. SHE said that she can't vote for Obama because she believes he MAY be a muslim.

    It's unbelievable to me that these lies work.
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  • eyedclaareyedclaar Posts: 6,980
    Funny how a lot, possibly a majority, will tell you race isn't an issue in this race or really much of a problem in America anymore. Usually that comes froms the lips of conservative white people, big surprise. I've heard the word nigger being thrown around more in the last 6 months than I have in a long, long time.
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  • meisteredermeistereder Posts: 1,577
    eyedclaar wrote:
    Funny how a lot, possibly a majority, will tell you race isn't an issue in this race or really much of a problem in America anymore. Usually that comes froms the lips of conservative white people, big surprise. I've heard the word nigger being thrown around more in the last 6 months than I have in a long, long time.

    Yeah, a lot of times I hear the first thing (race is not an issue) from someone, and seconds later they say something really racist.

    As in: "Race is not a factor, but I really could not vote for someone named Barrack."

    There is a great comedian out there who talks about people who say the words "Just saying" and how that almost always means the statement right before it is unbelievably ignorant/racist.

    As in: "Look, I'm not a racist, but there is only one black guy in the room and my wallet's gone. Just saying"

    Sort of the same thing with this election.
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  • __ Posts: 6,651
    I guess what got me started being irritated this morning is that they were talking about voting on the radio and someone called in and said she was really upset that she didn't switch her voter registration over in time to vote for McCain in the upcoming election. She thought that since she's a registered Democrat she had to vote for Obama.

    Maybe they should give you the rules or something when you sign up.
  • eyedclaareyedclaar Posts: 6,980
    meistereder wrote:
    Yeah, a lot of times I hear the first thing (race is not an issue) from someone, and seconds later they say something really racist.

    As in: "Race is not a factor, but I really could not vote for someone named Barrack."

    There is a great comedian out there who talks about people who say the words "Just saying" and how that almost always means the statement right before it is unbelievably ignorant/racist.

    As in: "Look, I'm not a racist, but there is only one black guy in the room and my wallet's gone. Just saying"

    Sort of the same thing with this election.

    Exactly.
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  • eekamouseeekamouse Posts: 267
    panthergirl wrote:
    my next door neighbor just got a text message from a client (she sells advertising)
    advising people not to vote for the n***er.


    she was so upset.
    her obama yard sign was graffiti-ed last week, then it was run over.
    i just put a new one in her yard.

    that's the mentality, folks.

    Holy shit. It's this kind of shit, where I'm like, "Fuck it. Let the whole thing go to hell. I have a gun and my family. I need none of you!"
    Love is more important to me than faith.
  • Vedderlution_BabyVedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    I'm getting really fucking sick and tired of these people and their ignorant mindsets. Fucking bastards. I need a new word for these people. Hate just doesn't do it. Homicidal rage is closer but still just doesn't sum up how I really fill about these fucking wastes of human life who are nothing more than cancerous twats.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,500
    scb wrote:
    I live in New Mexico. I work at the University. (But at work I've only heard ignorant comments from the work-study.)

    Why?


    I wanted to know where all the idiots lived. ;)

    Sounds like Bill Richardson needs to work on the education in the state of New Mexico.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,500
    scb wrote:
    I guess what got me started being irritated this morning is that they were talking about voting on the radio and someone called in and said she was really upset that she didn't switch her voter registration over in time to vote for McCain in the upcoming election. She thought that since she's a registered Democrat she had to vote for Obama.

    Maybe they should give you the rules or something when you sign up.

    How about not registering for any party? But still permitted to vote in a primary...problem solved.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    scb wrote:
    My god, people, what are we going to do??? Half the people I hear talk about the election don't seem to have a basic knowledge of the issues, the candidates, or the electoral process. If I hear one more person tell me Obama's a Muslim, or, even though they don't think abortion should be illegal, they would never vote for a pro-choice candidate, or they strongly support [whoever] but can't actually articulate ANY concrete reason, or they're upset that they can't vote for McCain because they're registered as a Democrat, etc., etc., I think I might spontaneously combust!

    Now I'm not saying it's only McCain supporters who or ignorant, or that being ignorant is the same as being stupid, or that I'm as well-informed as I should be. But I just think it's a tragic joke when many, many people vote based solely on the fluff crap propaganda we get from much of the media & elsewhere.

    Why can't we have an election where the candidates lay out their issues - pros AND cons - in a straightforward manner, everything that's said must actually be true, we don't even know what the candidates look like, etc. and we vote based on a true understanding of what's going on? If they really believe their positions, voting records, & experiences are right, those things should be able to stand alone as a solid platform for their campaign - not who wears flag pins and how they do their hair.

    Sorry, I've just heard a lot of ignorant comments today and it makes me sad and afraid for our country. Rant over. :(

    Who are you voting for and why?
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  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    eyedclaar wrote:
    Funny how a lot, possibly a majority, will tell you race isn't an issue in this race or really much of a problem in America anymore. Usually that comes froms the lips of conservative white people, big surprise. I've heard the word nigger being thrown around more in the last 6 months than I have in a long, long time.

    Well, when the "Lysergic mist" is near Boise. You're bound to run into those types ;)
    NERDS!
  • lalalalaaaaaaaalalalalaaaaaaaa Posts: 2,445
    The election process in America is broken. Plain and simple. Many people don't even vote, and the majority of those who do vote aren't voting based on issues that are important to them. They're voting based on personal qualities and speeches of the candidates. Very few people actually think about what issues are important to them, and align themselves with candidates who have proven themselves beyond their words.

    If you want change, you have to stop thinking about how to fix the election process, and start thinking about how to fix the problems you're seeing in America.
  • Pats54Pats54 Posts: 276
    panthergirl wrote:
    my next door neighbor just got a text message from a client (she sells advertising)
    advising people not to vote for the n***er.


    she was so upset.
    her obama yard sign was graffiti-ed last week, then it was run over.
    i just put a new one in her yard.

    that's the mentality, folks.

    I had two Bush yard signs taken and spray painted in the last election cycle. Pissed me off but don't think this sort of thing only happens to Saint Barrack.
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    Pats54 wrote:
    I had two Bush yard signs taken and spray painted in the last election cycle. Pissed me off but don't think this sort of thing only happens to Saint Barrack.

    No it happens across the board and no matter who does it it is wrong. On that note a friend of mine had a Darwin fish magnet on his car and one day some one broke it in half and left it on his windshield with a note saying "Hope you enjoy hell!" It's not illegal to express your views but it is illegal to destro someone's property.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,500
    mammasan wrote:
    No it happens across the board and no matter who does it it is wrong. On that note a friend of mine had a Darwin fish magnet on his car and one day some one broke it in half and left it on his windshield with a note saying "Hope you enjoy hell!" It's not illegal to express your views but it is illegal to destro someone's property.


    Ecept for the destruction of personal property part...that note is pretty funny.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    cincybearcat wrote:
    Ecept for the destruction of personal property part...that note is pretty funny.

    My friend thought so as well. He couldn't believe that someone would go through so much trouble to break his magnet.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • meisteredermeistereder Posts: 1,577
    Pretty scary that someone would actually believe that subscribing to Darwinism would doom someone to Hell.
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  • blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
    meistereder wrote:
    Pretty scary that someone would actually believe that subscribing to Darwinism would doom someone to Hell.

    Hypocrites. I thought people were only judged my GOD.
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

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