Election Day 2006 in America

[12voltman59]

My fellow Americans--this is an important election--don't be cynical or fearful or otherwise be turned off by the things going on out there--GET OUT AND VOTE--vote whichever way you believe.

Here is a great video someone put together--too bad its too long for television:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5tx0lcyQc&eurl=

[smokey]

I agree whole heartedly. Even if you vote for the buggers, and I will leave it up to you to decide who the buggers are, VOTE!!!

[littlerayofsunshine]

I voted. Every vote counts this election And I hope no vote goes uncounted :bigrin:

[narfiniti]

Voting is an absolute right and necessity if we are to maintain our democracy. Apathy leads to dissolution of the government and the eventual replacement by a dictator. I voted early today, and I hope all of you do the same. Remember, each vote does really count!

[arana]

Been there done that.

Has anyone seen "Hacking Democracy" on HBO yet? Interesting.

[Herbwoman39]

I just got back from voting here in Florida. I consider my vote to be my voice.

So everybody get out there, yell and holler! Raise your voice and be heard!

As long as you vote your conscience that's what matters!

[allbimyself]

It's a bit late to say it now, but here goes: Vote early, vote often!

[ukmale32]

Come on America. Get that A-hole Bush out of office!

[darkeyes]

I just got back from voting here in Florida. I consider my vote to be my voice.

So everybody get out there, yell and holler! Raise your voice and be heard!

As long as you vote your conscience that's what matters!


I always vote and consider it an obligation to those who suffered and died to get that vote for me. It is an important part of the democratic process. However I do not consider a vote my voice merely a quiet an almost insignifcant say which party of dictatorship I shall have running my country for the following 5 years. A true voice is a real say in how a nation is governed. From the minute a declaration is made there is no real check on the elected rulers and in reality they do pretty much as they please.

I shout and holler. I scream to the heavens and I fight and argue and demonstrate for my beliefs and am angry and bitter at the way our political leaders pour scorn and contempt on the people who gave them their trust. Read your political history. An old tosser of a Tory politician once said long before I was born that the UK is not a democracy but an elected dictatatorship which for a Tory is an amazingly perceptive observation. I think that is a good description of almost all so called democracies.

I believe in a revolutionary political system which gives people a true say in how their world is run but having the power from the ground up and not scraps as decided from the elite down. Thats why I believe in oveturning the so called world order by revolutionary means if necessary. The ruling elites will not sacrifice their power lightly or without a fight, and as long as I have breath in my body it is their destruction I commit myself and to the creation of a truly democratic system where we are not ignored by greedy inept and selfish arseholes.

I am 27 years old. I learned my politics at my fathers knee and at my age he truly believed the world of corrupt and cynical politics was on the way to its death. An old fashioned class warrior he sacrificed health wealth and energy to the cause he so much believed and still believes in. While his life was dedicated to peaceful change if possible he always believed that in the end it would take an armed revolution to achive his vision of a truly free and democratic world. I deny him or any other their right to sarifice life in the cause of change. But revolution their must be, for in the end we cannot continue as we have over the last half century or more as people find themselves increasingly marginalised by a system that is stacked up against them. Unlike my father, who believed he would see his Nirvhana, I do not think I shall ever see it. Far too much remains to be done before the ordinary people get off their arses and say thats it. We have had enough.

I do not unlike my father argue for armed struggle, for in that we create a bitterness and hatred within our nation, or our world that recreates the evils of Soviet Stalinism. I do not say Communism, for the USSR was certainly not a communist state ( indeed it never claimed to be). The world has to mature sufficently for the great mass of ordinary people to take control of their nations for themselves, and while there will undoubtedly be attempts which will be violent and tragic these can only fail. A new elite shall take power and the old failings will continue. Only when the people achieve power without violence, and create truly democratic and responsive structures which allow everyone a real voice in their society can it have any real hope of success. But it can never be done in isolation and succeed. But it must be a shining example to every nation and every people that true democracy is possible and to give them real hope that they too can achieve their own paradise.

I am an idealist. I love my fellow human beings and the world into which I was born. I dream of the day when all peoples are free and where all have a real say in how our world is run. Where every human being may have his or her say without fear and be safe in the knowledge that they have been truly influential in the running of their own lives.

So a vote in any election is important and necessary. But it is not a real voice Herbwoman. A wee squeak at most, an almost inaudible whisper. I am not I hope sounding dismissive of your beliefs and how you view the importance of your vote. I just think that in the greater scheme of things it means very little in your so called democracy, and only by actve participation in struggles which you believe in and by mobilsising those who agree with and believe in your cause will the bastards who run your nation ever sit up and take notice. History bears this out in the US just as it does here or in France or any other nation.

Shout and holler by all means. But do it properly and dont think your entire contribution to the democratic process can ever be a single vote within millions.

[diehrd8]

I always vote and consider it an obligation to those who suffered and died to get that vote for me. It is an important part of the democratic process. However I do not consider a vote my voice merely a quiet an almost insignifcant say which party of dictatorship I shall have running my country for the following 5 years. A true voice is a real say in how a nation is governed. From the minute a declaration is made there is no real check on the elected rulers and in reality they do pretty much as they please.

I shout and holler. I scream to the heavens and I fight and argue and demonstrate for my beliefs and am angry and bitter at the way our political leaders pour scorn and contempt on the people who gave them their trust. Read your political history. An old tosser of a Tory politician once said long before I was born that the UK is not a democracy but an elected dictatatorship which for a Tory is an amazingly perceptive observation. I think that is a good description of almost all so called democracies.

I believe in a revolutionary political system which gives people a true say in how their world is run but having the power from the ground up and not scraps as decided from the elite down. Thats why I believe in oveturning the so called world order by revolutionary means if necessary. The ruling elites will not sacrifice their power lightly or without a fight, and as long as I have breath in my body it is their destruction I commit myself and to the creation of a truly democratic system where we are not ignored by greedy inept and selfish arseholes.

I am 27 years old. I learned my politics at my fathers knee and at my age he truly believed the world of corrupt and cynical politics was on the way to its death. An old fashioned class warrior he sacrificed health wealth and energy to the cause he so much believed and still believes in. While his life was dedicated to peaceful change if possible he always believed that in the end it would take an armed revolution to achive his vision of a truly free and democratic world. I deny him or any other their right to sarifice life in the cause of change. But revolution their must be, for in the end we cannot continue as we have over the last half century or more as people find themselves increasingly marginalised by a system that is stacked up against them. Unlike my father, who believed he would see his Nirvhana, I do not think I shall ever see it. Far too much remains to be done before the ordinary people get off their arses and say thats it. We have had enough.

I do not unlike my father argue for armed struggle, for in that we create a bitterness and hatred within our nation, or our world that recreates the evils of Soviet Stalinism. I do not say Communism, for the USSR was certainly not a communist state ( indeed it never claimed to be). The world has to mature sufficently for the great mass of ordinary people to take control of their nations for themselves, and while there will undoubtedly be attempts which will be violent and tragic these can only fail. A new elite shall take power and the old failings will continue. Only when the people achieve power without violence, and create truly democratic and responsive structures which allow everyone a real voice in their society can it have any real hope of success. But it can never be done in isolation and succeed. But it must be a shining example to every nation and every people that true democracy is possible and to give them real hope that they too can achieve their own paradise.

I am an idealist. I love my fellow human beings and the world into which I was born. I dream of the day when all peoples are free and where all have a real say in how our world is run. Where every human being may have his or her say without fear and be safe in the knowledge that they have been truly influential in the running of their own lives.

So a vote in any election is important and necessary. But it is not a real voice Herbwoman. A wee squeak at most, an almost inaudible whisper. I am not I hope sounding dismissive of your beliefs and how you view the importance of your vote. I just think that in the greater scheme of things it means very little in your so called democracy, and only by actve participation in struggles which you believe in and by mobilsising those who agree with and believe in your cause will the bastards who run your nation ever sit up and take notice. History bears this out in the US just as it does here or in France or any other nation.

Shout and holler by all means. But do it properly and dont think your entire contribution to the democratic process can ever be a single vote within millions.


If that aint the biggest Socialist spew i ever read I dont know what is..

Like having some un-employed,sit on his arse do nothing loser have an equil say to a hard working honest productive member of socity is "Nirvana"

That socilaist crap sinks more then a pig farm...

[darkeyes]

I have never held back from my socialist beliefs diehrd. But at least I am bright enough to argue them with some coherence not merely react hysterically an illiterately to that with which I do not agree. It is merely my vision and if you do not believe in it fine. If a world where people are equal is not to your liking then I pity you. Typically the unemployed are the butt of the ire of right wing claptrappers, and branded do nothing loafers. Bisexual people are branded as perverts as are gays by people who think like you. Maybe it is time to think about that and reappraise a liitle your attitudes.I even believe that illiterates should have a say in how our world is run. Historically progress has always been made either as a result of a popular movement of ordinary people forcing governments into reform or a popular mandate given to a party which believes in looking forward and legislating for the rights of those people. The ruling elites will never surrender whatever power and wealth it has lightly, and it is only as a result of pressure from below being irresistable has it ever relaxed its grip and control on the lives of ordinary people to enable real progress to be made.

In the end my point to herbwoman is not the change to be effected, mine is but one vision which I believe in with a passion, but on how we achieve that change. My argument is that a vote is hardly a voice but merely one small tool in influencing just how our world is run.

But yes. Socialist I am hun. It is a valid and important political philosophy which by decrying as you do with such hysterical and uninformed vehemence you ignore at your peril and do both yourself and the wider community a disservice.

I end by saying well done Dems. I dont hold out a great deal of hope that you will achieve any real change in the US or the wider world, but it has given the rest of the world some hope that Crazy George may be reigned in a little and brought to account. I doubt the general direction of US policy will change much but at least maybe congress will begin seriously to question it and make Bush a little more circumspect in his treatment of the rest of the world in general and Iraq and Afghanistan in particular. No? o well. It is but a hope.

[12voltman59]

Election 2006 is over and I am very pleased with the results.

I had admittedly gotten cynical about politics, but the results were very heartening---it does seem to be a repudiation of the policies and manner of operation of old power elites---

It does seem that people must have stopped drinking the right wing Kool-Aide and they had a bad hang over and were pissed off for having been duped on so many things.

Here in Ohio--we ended a 16-year domination of the top elected officials by the Republicans---but they still retain control of our house and senate.

What this election means for the country still remains to be made clear but hopefully it means that perhaps it can be a turning point away from the way things have been going in the country---

Anti-gay measures where they were on the ballot did win--so that was not so good, but all-in-all, I do believe this election is a move in a positive direction.

As Conservative pundit David Durgen noted--the best thing about the election--it is a repudiation of acceptance of corruption of those in power and it also shows that the only thing the Republicans ran on was "cut taxes and stay the course."

The Republicans offered no positive vision of the future--while the Dems did not offer much in that way either--they were not in control of things so the Republicans paid the price for their hubris and arrogance--

Now--the Dems have the controls-or many of them---now they have to step up to the plate and run things cleanly and lead us ahead.

[12voltman59]

After doing a bit of web surfing--one anti-gay marriage measure--in ARIZONA no less went down to defeat and in South Dakota--not only did they defeat one of the most restrictive anti-abortion measures on record (had the thing been successful)--voters in that state also defeated a measure that would have stripped judges, members of juries from immunity--possibly making them suspectible to being sued----had that measure been successful there--the money folks behind it had plans to take the thing national. Hopefully the defeat takes the wind out of their sails.

Here in Ohio and in Arizona as well---voters rejected initiatives supported by big tobacco that would have ostensibly restricted smoking but not really--in both states--voters approved the banning of smoking in all public places including bars and bowling alleys---

In Ohio--the tobacco companies/ bar owners/ bowling alley operators funded their measure to the tune of $20 million and those in favor of the smoking ban measure, barely had one million in their coffers-----

I would like to be the owner of some television stations--most of the money spent on those campaigns went into the pockets of the television station owners---

[Tigerguy193]

http://www.peacefulresistance.com/images/articles/2004102618040163_1.jpg

:tong:

[dfwbi-cyclist]

Good thing I hate kittens. :bigrin:

[ghytifrdnr]

While everyone seems to be euphoric over the process and the outcome, I'll reserve my judgment until I see some action to repeal the Patriot Acts I & II and the Military Commmissions Act, bring our troops home, and begin prosecution of the perpetrators. :(

[JohnnyV]

Well said! I spent this afternoon getting drunk to celebrate the fall of Donald "Munch's the Scream" Rumsfeld, but I'm also not hanging up my "I love the Dems" poster until they seriously change things.

J

PS. Diehard uses the word "arse." Is he really an American from upstate New York, or is an ultraconservative Brit posing?

[ambi53mm]

I have never held back from my socialist beliefs diehrd. But at least I am bright enough to argue them with some coherence not merely react hysterically an illiterately to that with which I do not agree. It is merely my vision and if you do not believe in it fine. If a world where people are equal is not to your liking then I pity you. Typically the unemployed are the butt of the ire of right wing claptrappers, and branded do nothing loafers. Bisexual people are branded as perverts as are gays by people who think like you. Maybe it is time to think about that and reappraise a liitle your attitudes.I even believe that illiterates should have a say in how our world is run. Historically progress has always been made either as a result of a popular movement of ordinary people forcing governments into reform or a popular mandate given to a party which believes in looking forward and legislating for the rights of those people. The ruling elites will never surrender whatever power and wealth it has lightly, and it is only as a result of pressure from below being irresistable has it ever relaxed its grip and control on the lives of ordinary people to enable real progress to be made.

In the end my point to herbwoman is not the change to be effected, mine is but one vision which I believe in with a passion, but on how we achieve that change. My argument is that a vote is hardly a voice but merely one small tool in influencing just how our world is run.

But yes. Socialist I am hun. It is a valid and important political philosophy which by decrying as you do with such hysterical and uninformed vehemence you ignore at your peril and do both yourself and the wider community a disservice.

I end by saying well done Dems. I dont hold out a great deal of hope that you will achieve any real change in the US or the wider world, but it has given the rest of the world some hope that Crazy George may be reigned in a little and brought to account. I doubt the general direction of US policy will change much but at least maybe congress will begin seriously to question it and make Bush a little more circumspect in his treatment of the rest of the world in general and Iraq and Afghanistan in particular. No? o well. It is but a hope.

I always enjoy reading your posts Darkeyes. They always offer an interesting perspective on America and on the struggles that we all face as humans trying to share a planet that sometimes seems out of control. I admire anyone who has the courage to stand up for their beliefs and chooses to express those beliefs in an intelligent and passionate way.
There are those that are familiar with the stench of a pig farm…and those that have learned to stand downwind …either way it doesn’t seem to offend the pig LOL….Awesome posts!!

Ambi :)

[darkeyes]

Well said! I spent this afternoon getting drunk to celebrate the fall of Donald "Munch's the Scream" Rumsfeld, but I'm also not hanging up my "I love the Dems" poster until they seriously change things.

J

PS. Diehard uses the word "arse." Is he really an American from upstate New York, or is an ultraconservative Brit posing?

I did notice the arse's use of the word but preferred to overlook it as it is the tenor and thread of his argument I take issue with. Whatever his origin, he is a condemnation of the education system of which he is a product and hardly a shining example of progressive and enlightened mankind.

With regard to Rumsfeld, I know there is a great deal to condemn about this odious man, and that there are real clouds over his tenure as secretary of state for defence (proper British english spelling you will notice), but we all know he is but a fall guy and it will take much much more than his resignation to rehabilitate the Bush administration in the eyes of the electorate of the US and the judgement of history.

[darkeyes]

I always enjoy reading your posts Darkeyes. They always offer an interesting perspective on America and on the struggles that we all face as humans trying to share a planet that sometimes seems out of control. I admire anyone who has the courage to stand up for their beliefs and chooses to express those beliefs in an intelligent and passionate way.
There are those that are familiar with the stench of a pig farm…and those that have learned to stand downwind …either way it doesn’t seem to offend the pig LOL….Awesome posts!!

Ambi :)

I have never been to america ambi but shall appear there someday maybe. But it always amazes me the niaive insular and parochial way in which so many americans look at the world. I find the US a fascinating place immensely complex and often very funny. I loathe much of what america is and does just as I do of my own country, but admire so much more. It is easier in many ways to see from afar what is wrong with a country especially one as complex as yours, but to really know one you have to have spent time or even live there and even then no one really knows everything. God knows I know so much yet really so little about my own and hope I shall continue to learn as each day passes.

And believe me I am all too aware of the stench of a pig farm both of the animal and authoratative kinds having. The iff is truly nauseating but upwind is a much better idea or is that simply just another example of two peoples seperated by a common language?

[metasexual]

Hi All,

My :2cents: here. Great posts Darkeyes - I don't post very often but your words drew me in. I am an American living in Britain now for about a year. Its been very interesting observing the difference in the two systems.

You have identified one of the core problems with both systems - there is a lack of voice for the individual. Our leaders don't respond to calls for change, even when is a majority of the population calling out for change. The US has a little bit of an advantage in that we have elections scheduled every two years, so that as we saw Tuesday - change can happen - but it takes enormous political will, money, etc.

I think the revolution you are looking for will have to involve finding ways to increase transparency and responsiveness of our elected representitives. I have been thrilled with the formation of the Netroots (the bloggers essentially) in the US who track every move of the government. It is starting to happen here in the UK now as well. We have to force power sharing on those who currently hold it - we need a Magna Carta for the modern age which involves making local representatives respond to their constituents, and leadership responsive to representatives. Power needs to flow bottom-up as well as top-down. I see this as a refinement of democracy, not a change in system though.

Of course the flip side of this is (as DieHrd crudely pointed out) that the mob is stupid, so you have to put in safeguards to allow the government to work without being turned over, but I think this is much less of a danger than the government itself doing stupid things.

Change can happen, but we need to make it happen.

End the political lecture
:tongue:

[ambi53mm]

The iff is truly nauseating but upwind is a much better idea or is that simply just another example of two peoples seperated by a common language?

LOL I believe "upwind" may be is better way to go. Hard to tell when your standing sideways tho..better get an Australian perspective.

Ambi :)

[sammie19]

Like many, certainly most people over here I am delighted at what has happened in the US. I only hope that it does make a change in american government policy regarding evrseas and the islamic world particularly.

Fran, Ive always been engrossed by your view of the world and also a little concerned by it. I am not at odds with you about your general argument or the need for change everywhere, but as we have often argued, I am not sure that humanity will ever be ready for peaceful change outwith what we think of as the democratic process. I remember you once telling me that Capitalism will never release its hold on power without a bloody fight, and that means killing and violence, an ultimately oppression by the victor. You said as much I think in your posts. Also that outside forces would come into play which would help crush the spirit and freedom of that revolution quoting american imperialism as the main enemy of the people and ally of the forces of darkness. If that is the case how can a revolution ever be bloodless? I am not saying it is impossible but think it highly unlikely.

I think I understand what you mean by revolution not occurring in isolation, but surely the only way this could happen is if that revolution was world wide giving the ruling "elites" as you call them no opportunity to come to the aid of a losing ally. I do agree with lots of your argument but dont understand or accept the concept of bloodless revolution. Personally I believe it is better to allow our system to evolve into something better slowly and gradually rather than the unpredictable nature of swift revolutionary change.

Much luv.

[Jingleheimer]

What can be considered a victory will only be so if We the People follow through. We must hold congress accountable for their actions over the next few years. I do not like the direction my country is headed, I fear this election changes nothing.
To change anything we must force our government to abolish legalized bribery. The lobbyists must go. In any other nation in any other part of history, the actions of our politicians and their financiers would be punished with a painful death. Money talks and we all know what walks. If we want freedom we will have to create a situation in the US where the money also "walks." This is going to be extremely difficult...and possibly quite bloody as well.

[Doggie_Wood]

Come on America. Get that A-hole Bush out of office!

Sorry to tell ya - but that election isn't for another two years and Bush has already run two terms (the max any President can hold office).
:2cents:

:doggie:

[Doggie_Wood]

http://www.peacefulresistance.com/images/articles/2004102618040163_1.jpg

:tong:

Up your ass - that is one of he most asinine political lies I have ever seen.
Shit head
just my :2cents:
:doggie:

[JohnnyV]

I like Tigerguy's cartoon. :)

Whatever people's concerns are, I still think we all deserve a week to celebrate the elections with pure joy. American democracy isn't dead yet -- which is a surprise to me because I was feeling very pessimistic. The Democrats have lots of their own problems, but it was invigorating to see that change is possible. And wonderfully satisfying to see Santorum, Rumsfeld, and Mehlman go down, along with lots of other horrible human beings.

If this wasn't a wake-up call to Republicans, I don't know what is.

They lost libertarians early on by making government so big and letting the War on Terror overcome our need for civil liberties.

They lost small business owners and the middle class quickly when they saw their tax prices get eaten up by higher gas prices, and when so many good jobs went with big corporations overseas in search of cheap wages.

They lost a lot of their religious base when they were exposed for being immoral hypocrites, bribe takers, pederasts, wife beaters and money launderers for Saudi Arabia and Israel.

They lost soccer moms and isolationists because of Iraq.

They lost Latino Catholics by snuggling up with the fascist Minutemen and talking about illegal immigrants as if they were rodents... and also by never doing enough to make abortion illegal.

They lost Log Cabin conservatives with their crusade against gay marriage.

ALL THESE SUBGROUPS OF CONSERVATIVES have either left the party or clearly want the party to change. Time to give up the in-your-face smug stubbornness. A new GOP has to be fashioned out of the ashes that Bush leaves behind.

J