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comment by mk
mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: George Packer: American Politics: Why The Thrill Is Gone

Absolutely.





OftenBen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  
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mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  
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OftenBen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

So, as a mouse who wants the best for other mice, do you vote for white cats or black cats?

user-inactivated  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

White cats are more trustworthy. Those black cats are thugs. They always steal cat litter and wear their collars low on their necks. Pull your damn collars up, blacks. Do you ever hear about white on white cat clawing? No.

OftenBen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Maybe I should have said 'as a minnow who wants the best for other minnows, do you vote for red fish or blue fish.'

user-inactivated  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Clearly the red fish. The blue fish look like thugs. They're always stealing fish food and they swim weird. Stop swimming weird, blues. Do you ever hear about red on red fish attacks? No.

Also I vote independent, just so this chain isn't maximum snark.

mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

IMO the only good excuse for not voting is that you are overthrowing your government. You needn't just vote for the Democrats or Republicans. There are other candidates.

A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

Our politicians cater to those that vote. The baby boomers vote.

ButterflyEffect  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

I agree with you on on a state and national level, but I've always had an issue figuring out what to do at a local level. Note: always is a very limited term, as I've only been of voting age for a short period of time. I've noticed though, that coming from a small place means that many positions are unopposed and in that case what else can you but not vote if you dislike the candidate?

user-inactivated  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Write something silly in. Not voting can mean either you didn't like the (only) candidate, or you just don't care. Explicitly voting saying you would prefer Mickey Mouse to the only candidate running is unambiguous.

OftenBen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    There are other candidates.

I would be overjoyed to see a third party make it onto the presidential ballot.

    A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

Isn't there a tacit agreement with governments actions by agreeing to use their system to choose leadership? By voting in a system that buys elections with money, aren't you endorsing the whole charade of it?

mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

There are always other presidential candidates on the ballot.

    Isn't there a tacit agreement with governments actions by agreeing to use their system to choose leadership? By voting in a system that buys elections with money, aren't you endorsing the whole charade of it?

No. We have the ability to change this government with the vote, including how elections are run. All those elected were voted in. To not vote is an endorsement of a system without suffrage, unless you are revolting.

thenewgreen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Huh. Today I learned that Ayn Rand has her own party and they're represented on the ballot... and I'm not talking about Paul Ryan.

OftenBen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    We have the ability to change this government with the vote

I wish I shared that belief. It seems to be the core of our disagreement, at least as far as I can see.

mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It baffles me that so many have been convinced otherwise. It is as simple as enough people voting. Tumult happens. Things might seem static for quite some time, until they are not.

thenewgreen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I would be overjoyed to see a third party make it onto the presidential ballot.
-Serious question, upon seeing mk's proof that other parties do make it on to the presidential ballot, were you overjoyed?

It's a matter of marketing, which is a matter of money. But in todays day and age, an internet savvy third party candidate could make it. I would vote for mk. I think he should run.

OftenBen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I guess I should have been more cynically specific. I would be overjoyed to see politically viable candidates on the ballot. Those candidates in the pic are not allowed to participate in debates with the candidates from the red and blue team. Having them on the paper pays lip service to the ideals that founded the country.

I'd vote for mk too.

mk  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

But I couldn't debate Jeb or Hillary. :/

thenewgreen  ·  3258 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Of course you could! We would just mobilize social media to boycott the networks that wouldn't allow you to participate. Get reddit, twitter, fb all involved and they'd cave.

mk  ·  3257 days ago  ·  link  ·  

a thoughtful vote: mk 2016