I hate being told or urged to vote

Just for Fun
69

I think I just outgrew childhood playgrounds and cliques.

70

The last time debates mentioned any of these issues in a substantive way is when Ron Paul was running for president in 2008 and 2012. No one talks about balancing a budget anymore, it’s all about listening to the empty promises of politicians “when I’m president I will do/give x y and z for you”, or just smearing the other candidate. None of it can be taken seriously.

1 Like
71

Your politics sounds pretty wild over there. And to think I’ve always been jealous of British politics.

2 Likes
73

Both uninformed and misinformed.

We used to have local elections in May, in my small city, and we had a pretty balanced local newspaper. Turnout was lower than Federal or State elections, but those who turned out were well informed on local issues, and those elected were far less partisan and had to have a record of knowledge and service to the community. We elected a CPA as city treasure. Council was made up of civic leaders and business people. School board was made up of concerned, involved parents and retired educators. My city was well run, fiscally healthy, with quality schools.

Then a few things happened. First, the local paper folded. Then, a group of uber partisans pushed a ballot initiative to move our local elections to November, to coincide with Federal elections which occur in even-number years. (State elections are in odd-numbered years) They argued it would increase voter participation and save a few bucks not having to hold May elections.

The net result has been the Council and schoolboard members were replaced with marginally qualified partisans. Our tax rate is the highest in my state, with no real increase in services, and our school performance has dropped to the worst in our region. The cost to run for local office has quadrupled to the point that outside money drives our local races now.

It’s because people showing up to vote in national elections, regarding national issues know almost nothing about the local candidates, the quality of the candidates has declined, and thus, the quality of governance we experience.

2 Likes
74

Once the kids are a little bit older I plan on entering the arena of local politics.

3 Likes
75

On the long, looooong list of issues I have with the Big Orange Penguin, this is number 1.

At one point or another, he has publicly slandered, mocked, and/or disparaged nearly every demographic I can think of: women, the disabled, people of color, etc. Pretty much all but straight, white, christian, republican men. How there is anyone left supporting him is beyond me. Just this morning I saw a “Women for Trump” bumper sticker…uh, excuse me, but how?

As far as the sleaziness – I’m of the belief that no matter who you are, in order to get to the level of politics where you’re even in the conversation for the Presidency – you’ve done some shady back-room deals at some point or another. Its the nature of the game, sorry as it is. You’ve bought and manipulated your way up, stepping on others to get there.

I’m no Biden fan either but at least he’s respectable and has the tact and intelligence required of a world leader. I do like Kamala, though. Smart as a whip, no bullshit. Oddly enough I regularly hear people say that she’s the reason they’re weary of voting for Joe.

3 Likes
76

It’s just that cute accent over there :rofl:

77

I’m very conscientious of looking at the news being produced for both sides of the aisle and I can say for a fact that they are not the same news. I know people all along the spectrum but inevitably my left friends say, “how can those people belive that?” and my right friends say “how can those people believe that?”. The answer is simple in that the news is being curated and framed for those audiences. My reply to those questions is always, “maybe you should go find a trump/Biden supporter and ask them genuinely why they believe how they do. Listen with good faith and honest intent to understand.” Such a thing is how we fight hate and prejudice–in politics, in faith, in secular beliefs, etc. Always assume the person you’re talking to knows something you don’t. Listen then research. I mean really research, not just type one thing in Google and stay on the first page. In fact use a different search engine altogether, as this anti trust suit being formed against Google may show that even your searches are being carefully curated.

Maybe I’m just an idealist, but being able to listen to each of my friends and even people I don’t know, with true intent, has helped me to really understand people’s hearts and minds on politics. It’s amazing how a person will shine when they feel like they’re actually being heard and understood. And you know most people just want what’s right for the world and for the country, and the way they want it is based on their lived experiences and the information they consume.

1 Like
78

A very, very wise approach.

1 Like
79

Words to live by right there :+1:

1 Like