If it feels like someone is trying to make you think your vote will not count

[Peacetrain]

1. Because the system is rigged. --or--

2. There is no difference in the parties.

Take a long look at what they are really saying.

Elect the republican or tea party or libertarian canidate.

That is truly what they are saying.. make no mistake of that.

And just take a very close look at what those three parties are promoting.. look at what their leaders are promoting.

[RobertEarl]

1. Bull malarkey

Recognizing that computerized vote counting machines can alter vote counts is not a republican or tea party value. It is just intelligent.

The way to beat the computers is to abolish the secrecy behind them or to have massive turnouts.

Since we apparently are not going to take the secrets out of the system, we have only one other way to win. Like what happened with Obama in 2008. When there was a clear choice for change and voters came out of the woodworks in exceptionally record numbers.

[No Vested Interest]

8. Congratulations on your 8000th post. nt

[mahina]

20. Skipping voting is not rebellion, it's surrender.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

And I don't disagree with your post.

[billhicks76]

34. Yes...It Does Matter So Don't Waste It On Hillary

Hillary was the President Of The College Republicans in the late 60s when she realized to assure her scheme and rise to power as a friend of Nelson Rockefeller that she had to pretend to be a Democrat. Ever heard her gush over Henry Kissinger??? That alone should make her too disgusting to even consider.

[jwirr]

40. Love it.

[billhicks76]

32. Agreed

We need to abolish electronic voting machines. Voting should be sacred in this country where we don't cut corners or do things just because quicker. We need a notational holiday to vote. Not Columbus Day or any of the other ones... A day where people get the day off work to participate in our democracy.

[Bluenorthwest]

38. Simple question. Do you or do you not know know the methods of counting, hardware used and

verification processes specific to your own State and County? Because if you can't give a run down on all of that as it is actually practiced in your State, I can't believe you really give a shit and that this is just rhetoric ungrounded in actual knowledge, action or behavior.
So. What hardware are they using? What verification and recount systems are in place? Got any idea? Any at all?

[RobertEarl]

47. Yes. I do.

You are particularly vicious tonight.

And I am thinking you just might be one of those who support the secretive privately owned vote counting computers?

Y'know, the systems owned and operated by the republican company ES&S. Which last I heard was counting about 80% of the votes in the US.

Frankly, I can't believe you give a shit about any of this or you wouldn't attack me like you did and ask a dumb question of me in such a vicious manner.

[Bluenorthwest]

79. I note you did not share with us what you know and instead repeat 'last I heard' assumptions

The lack of detail in your post along with 'last I heard' citations shows me what I wanted to know. My questions are the exact questions anyone should ask a person who claims to care about and know about elections systems. There is no room for guessing and rumors.
Your personal attack is just nasty, man. I live in Oregon. We run good elections. If you have problems with Republican machines, the path to dealing with it lies in factual accuracy and personal activism by residents of your State. Rhetoric and grandstanding will not help. Nor will being surly to people who simply ask you questions.

[RobertEarl]

89. Your email told enough about you

You don't like me being on DU. Heh. You are just looking for a fight.

None of the rest of your words here are even worth responding to as they are just an attack. Sad, really, that you have nothing better to do, eh?

[questionseverything]

98. when i talk about rigged elections that always favor reps

i am trying to let dems know ,we must turn out in huge numbers to override the rig

and we must watch the reporting of votes (like activists did in the va ag contest,were dems were successful only because activist noticed the "machines" dropped 3500 votes)

altho both parties seem to be owned by the same 1%ers now...the dem party is the only party ordinary people have a chance of influencing

and the dem party plays the part of the party that supports feeding hungry children so i will always vote dem

[riqster]

104. Turnout is everything.

[vi5]

2. The fact is that to most people:

Republicans are for low taxes, smaller government, strong national security. Across the board. Every candidate with an R after their name.

Argue the fine points all you want but that is their quick, and easily digestible sales pitch that they insist every candidate march lock step with.

Dems are for.....well do you have an hour for us to explain to you in highly parsed terms? And only some of them. And only sometimes. And just less than the other guys.

The sad thing is that I used to be able to sum it up. But no more.

Taxes? Well, we want them higher....but wait.....only on some people......well not really enough to fight for it or anything....you know...whatever we guess.
Government? Well we like it, but only in some cases......and please don't hold it against us.....we just mean sometimes.....or maybe not....who knows.
National security? Sure we're for that too!!
Social Security? Well yeah we're for it but...hey, we're not above buying into the notion that 'We have to do something!" because that's what the very serious people inside the beltway like to hear.
Social Safety Net? Sure we need that, but you know......we hear the deficit is bad too, so.....we're for that.....maybe.

Sure we can look at those other parties and laugh at what they are promoting, but......what exactly is it that we're promoting in a clearly communicated manner that the people can understand and without equivocation know that the Dems will fight for?

The only unequivically good things our party is on the right side of are gay rights, women's rights and abortion rights. And unfortunately our leaders choose to not be full throated on any of those things and are content to let others do the leg work and all too often they are willing to run from their support of those things.

[Scuba]

3. +1

[pacalo]

4. +2.

[Fumesucker]

12. Ouch... +3

[JaneyVee]

15. Um, you can go to Democrats.org and see the platform.

[vi5]

21. Do you mean..

Digging around to find the 12 different subjects in the Issues section containing pithy, easily digestible and concrete platforms like this on education

"Democrats share with all parents the commitment to prepare our children to lead lives of happiness and success. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring the next generation has access to a first-rate education and the tools to drive our economy forward"

Just rolls off the tongue and sticks in your brain, doesn't it.

Or maybe this on immigration:

"America has a long and rich heritage of immigration. Democrats have always embraced our country's diversity, but we also recognize that we need to fix our broken immigration system."

It's all so quick and clear. I mean the lines couldn't be clearer. How could people not Be completely inspired to march into those voting booths and pull the lever for Dems knowing exactly what they'll be getting.

[Tweedy]

26. Well...

"I'm not a member of an organized political party, I'm a democrat." Will Rogers

[rhett o rick]

46. I didn't see the platform at democrats.org maybe you could provide a link.

But I am familiar with the platform and have some problems with it. Maybe you can help me decode parts of it.

"7. Promoting Global Prosperity and Development" Now I think decoded that means "Globalization" which means TPP and other "Free Trade" agreements that the world global corporations are trying to get "fast-tracked" up our national backsides. But if you don't agree please speak out.

"8. Maintaining the Strongest Military in the World" Wow. This is part of the Democratic Platform? Decoded it means keeping a large defense budget. I think we can find this in the Republican platform also. Hmmmm. What would Ralph Nader say?

"9. Advancing Universal Values" Interesting what values are considered "universal". I bet they are American values. Decoded I see this as American Exceptionalism.

Please help me out and tell me where I am wrong.

[zeemike]

18. +4

You pretty much nailed the situation...

[abelenkpe]

19. Exactly nt

[RKP5637]

31. Too many democrats are gutless! n/t

[jwirr]

41. How about the one thing that Rs will never be for: The safety net.

[vi5]

68. As I stated in my post.....

Dems have been way too eager to have a hack (albeit a smaller one) at the safety net in an effort to appear "bipartisan".

Enough so that it's hard for the average voter to glean that they are in fact for that. Seeing the Democratic president buy into the "something must be done" claptrap regarding social security, without the follow up statement of "and that something is increase the benefits and lift the SS cap" doesn't help matters any.

[jwirr]

90. I know the difference between "talk" and actually doing. When it has been obvious that the Rs

are obstructing them all the way on anything - even safety net issues - I will worry when the action starts. Notice that nothing the Dems do is right to the Rs so they sure would not want Obama getting credit for cutting something in the safety net.

As I remember this post was about the two parties being the same. I am 73 and needed the help of the government with my disabled daughter's health care most of my life. There is no such thing as the two parties being alike. They do agree on a few issues but when it comes to what the average voter needs to survive in a crisis there is no comparison.

That said I do realize that the few issues they agree on are ones that we absolutely need to get straightened out. MIC, globalization and trade agreements, etc.

[bhikkhu]

43. Democrats are for fair taxes, good government, and equality.

How hard is that?

[vi5]

67. It's not hard, but it's way too vague.

What exactly are fair taxes? By whose definition of good? Republicans think they are for "good" government as well?

[LanternWaste]

80. Your criticisms appear much more vague,than do the targets of that criticism.

Your own criticisms appear much more vague, diaphanous, and unsourced than do the targets of that criticism. You're simply assigning labels such as "vague" to one concept while holding the corollary to a much lower standard of proof.

[vi5]

82. I guess we'll see, won't we?

Looking at polling and looking at our chances, doesn't seem like I'm alone in my criticism.

Again, I'll be at the polls and I know which way I'm voting. But they don't need me. They need the people who don't pay attention as much as I do. They need the ones who want things simple and concise, and who want them to back it up with action and consistency.

[rhett o rick]

5. Tilting at windmills. I think the meme that there are throngs trying to convince

us not to vote is a false meme. I have not seen anyone promoting staying home. I have seen people dissatisfied with the status quo being pushed by Democratic leaders, but never suggesting anyone stay home. The Left will be out in numbers, I've already seen evidence. Who do you think put up the signs for the primaries and who are doing the phoning and doorbelling. It's the Lefties, that's who. And we will be taking down signs and storing them for the next election. We also will be updating our voters list.

I would recommend that the tactic of trying to scare people into participating in the election is counter productive. I would recommend that we try to promote what Democrats stand for and show how that is superior to the alternatives instead.

[vi5]

6. Promote what Democrats stand for....

"We're not as crazy and destructive as the other guys!"


Doesn't exactly inspire and motivate does it?

[NanceGreggs]

36. You have a right ...

... some might even say an obligation, to vote.

If you need "inspiration" and/or "motivation" to exercise that right, that's on you.

[vi5]

83. I mean inspiration and motivation to vote for Democrats.

Right or wrong, people want their leaders to stand for something. Republicans stand for things (reprehensible though they may be to those of us here). Democrats increasingly do not, or when they do they equivocate and hesitate and poll test and split hairs.

[NanceGreggs]

106. As I said ...

... you have a right, some might even say an obligation, to vote. If you need "inspiration" and/or "motivation" to exercise that right, that's on you.

You can vote "for" the (D) or "against" the (R) - your vote works both ways. If you need some kind of motivational/inspirational epiphany to get you off your ass to vote, maybe you should take a closer look at what the GOP has done to this country. If that doesn't move your ass off the couch, I doubt that anything ever will.

[vi5]

112. Again, I'm not talking about me

Believe it or not there are way more people who don't pay close attention to the information overload and every day goings on of politics and the minutiae of what Congress does or doesn't do. Many are lazy, many don't have the time amidst all they have to do in order to make ends meet. They don't have time to "take a closer look".

Maybe the choice isn't sitting on the couch or voting. Maybe it's working their multiple jobs. Maybe it's spending time with their family. Who knows what it is, but it's condescending to assume that if someone doesn't have time to pay attention and can only look at the current state of their life and the current state of the country that it's because they're busy sitting on their asses. They don't know about the fillibuster. They know that there is a Democratic president and a Democratic Senate and that despite some nominal progress, the country is in as shitty a state as it's ever been. And there's not enough full throated defense from the Dems to counteract that. It feels like the Democrats are more concerned with winning Meet The Press and Morning Joe than they are winning voters.

Those same people can look right at the Republicans and know what they stand for without having to work at it or dig deeper or find a website that lists their issues clearly and concisely. Far too many can't do the same for Democrats. And that's the core of their problem. They're too worried about appealing to the high information, mythical "independent" as defined by their buddies in the beltway media and not enough to the average person struggling to get by.

But yes, I know it's easier to dismiss all those people as "lazy" because they don't have time to peruse and argue on political websites all day.

[rhett o rick]

92. Americans have a right to vote or not vote. Many choose not to vote. It would help us if

we found out why and tried to solve that problem. Trying to coerce people into voting or scare people into voting hasn't worked. We need Democratic candidates to be more than just "not a Republican." We need Democratic candidates to be proud and not afraid to espouse Democratic principles which are different than Republican principles.

[Cha]

7. This is what you get when you vote gop..

Mahalo, Peacetrain, for your Public Service Announcement!

[SoapBox]

23. Cha... +1,000,000

[Cha]

28. Hey SoapBox!

[Jamaal510]

29. I'm a little

to see what she looks like in the face.

[Cha]

35. Poor brainwashed thing.. and so proud! Wearing it on her back.

[jwirr]

42. Exactly. Thank you.

[Cha]

44. You're Welcome, jwirr~

[Skidmore]

78. What Cha said...

repeat and share.

[Peacetrain]

94. And that is just scratching the surface Cha..

Great pics!!

[Cha]

103. Exactly, Peacetrain.. just scratching the surface of the difference between Dems and rebubCons.

Good Luck in Iowa with Bruce Braley!



http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/10/17/michelle-obama-bruce-braley-iowa-name/

[Peacetrain]

105. Thanks.. I have high hopes!

[ballyhoo]

9. Don't agree with you. And don't pay any attention

to what the vast majority of politicians are saying because they lie at will, particularly at election time. By now, with what is going on, there should have been a much stronger fight back by the Democrats. They should have climbed way out of their boxes. They didn't--Unfortunately, there is another thing working: Abject weariness resulting in being too tired too care. Next year will be pure hell no matter which Party wins the election.

[OilemFirchen]

11. Except:

Amirightski?

[ballyhoo]

13. I don't care who you vote for. It's close to a free country still. You'll have to

get your guy registered somewhere. Maybe Alaska if they can do a temporary annexation.

[OilemFirchen]

16. It's to laugh.

My guy? Coy is quite unbecoming, FTR.

[Cha]

27. This "guy"..

pourmecoffee Heavy check mark @pourmecoffee
Follow
"Go to your room, right now, and never invade another sovereign nation again." (Daniel Dal Zennaro/AP)
3:18 PM - 17 Oct 2014 520 Retweets 466 favorites

[RKP5637]

33. What was that from, she looks like she's royally telling him to go F himself! n/t

[Cha]

37. I wish I knew, RKP.. Just saw the tweet and evidently they had a meeting recently

Your caption works, too.. rofl

[MFrohike]

49. More like

"Nein, Vlad. You're doing it wrong. In Germany, we use the IMF and ECB to undermine sovereign governments. You really should find yourself a Mario Draghi to do PR, like I did."

[Fumesucker]

74. Poifect!

[Andy823]

25. All I can say is

Bullshit!

[jeff47]

95. Yes. We failed.

We* failed to elect liberal Democrats for about 30 years now. We didn't bother showing up at primaries. We thought "get out the vote" was too much of a bother. We didn't bother caring about "boring" elections like school board or city council.

Guess where we get the "next generation" of candidates? School board, city council and other "boring" races. When we didn't show up, we didn't get liberals into those positions. So the pool of candidates are all further to the right than we'd like, resulting in campaigns and politicians further to the right than we'd like. And no "stronger fight back by the Democrats".

The top of the ticket tells you where the party is. The bottom of the ticket tells you where the party is going. We need to bust our asses at the bottom of the ticket so that we go in the right direction instead of lamenting that the top of the ticket isn't what we want.

It took our party 30 years to get here. It's going to take several elections to get somewhere else. If you can't find inspiration at the top of the ticket, you can find it at the bottom. And we need your help down there.

(*Note that "We" is not literal here. It isn't each and every individual, it is the cumulative effect of all of us.)

[ballyhoo]

97. I accept a lot of what you say. But I maintain that the

people themselves have changed too, not just their willingness to get involved in developing and picking candidates. Your post was good and organized, and I would like to be more specific in my answer, but you really can't do that here, for I might suggest things that liberals would be aghast at. One single thing changed everything for me and people that I know. Iraq was the Parthia for the US as a country. This other thing was the Parthia for its people. Nice talking to you, Jeff. I have read a lot of your posts. You are closer to a Clear than I. I'll see ya. I have to go make Oatmeal Cookies for my wife's Alzheimer's residents. All these years as an accountant, I never thought I'd end up a cookie-maker. Chow. Keep up the good work.

[rurallib]

10. got a shot of that right here on DU just a short while ago

[MisterP]

14. so we shouldn't vote for people pushing the same policies the Baggers and liberts are pushing, then

right?
in fact if there's a faction--even within the Dem party--that's repeatedly torpedoed Dems during primaries, Dems who were actually ahead of even the Pub, because they weren't ideologically correct, sometimes even explicitly handed the whole election to the GOP through back-scratching endorsements, and openly conceded ground to the Pubs on issue after issue, all while saying everyone else was to blame--well, we shouldn't keep on listening to that faction, now should we?

[OilemFirchen]

17. An example woud be nice.

Just for shits and giggles, you understand.

[Art_from_Ark]

107. Here are two examples:

2013 New Jersey gubernatorial race-- At least 50 "Democratic" officials endorse Chris Christie over his more progressive Democratic opponent, Barbara Buono.

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/christie_makes_campaign_announcement_in_burlington_county.html

2010 Arkansas Democratic primary, US Senate:
Bill Clinton comes to the state to campaign for Blanche Lincoln over her more liberal opponent, Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, even though the polls showed Halter doing better against the Republican opponent. Not only that , but Pres. Obama makes a video ad in support of Lincoln, who is running in a state where Obama barely pulled 40% of the vote. Lincoln won the primary after a bitter run-off election, then promptly got her butt handed to her on a platter in the November election, the first time an incumbent Democrat was defeated in a US Senate election in Arkansas since Reconstruction.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/10/14/910459/-What-if-Blanche-was-your-only-choice

[abelenkpe]

22. Which party is promising to stop offshoring?

Which one is proposing to drastically lower the cost of higher education so that students aren't burdened with enormous debt as a reward for working their ass off, getting good grades and accepted to college? Younger voters care about those things.

[Andy823]

24. Exactly!

More republican in office is always bad news. Anyone who is even thinking about not voting needs to step back and do as you said, take a very close look at what the other parties are promoting and then decide if it's worth taking the chance. Things will only get worse if republicans do win, and thats simply a fact.

Thanks for the post.

[Jamaal510]

30. This is all

what Republicans have intended since Reagan--to foster cynicism among the public towards government and towards the system so that less people are willing to participate anymore. To their credit, it has worked. Turnout here compared to Australia and various European countries is in the crapper. Typically less than a quarter of the country's population shows up to decide what happens to 100% of the country.
I had a thread related to turnout the other day, but that eventually sunk like a lead ball in an ocean. SMH at how that happened on a site that is supposedly about politics and increasing turnout.

[1StrongBlackMan]

77. Posted to for later.

[1StrongBlackMan]

96. Not just republicans ...

And "Mission Accomplished" ...

could be heard whispered throughout the land. (It seems)

GOP: "Government doesn't work" ... Check!

Libertarians (right and left): "Government is evil" ... Check!

Tea Party: "Government doesn't work and there is no difference between establishment republicans and establishment Democrats" ... Check!

"Liberals/Progressives": "Government is evil and there is no difference between establishment republicans and establishment Democrats" ... Check!

The media has played this narrative on a 7-day, 24-hour loop.

Result: Only 15% of the American people pay close attention to the only mechanism for change.

Nicely played, Oligarchs!

[Iliyah]

39. Corporate media along with their masters

don't want you to vote, period, nada, stay home and complain and then turn it around against the ones who do care about democracy.

VOTE!

[freshwest]

45. Nailed it.

[WhiteAndNerdy]

48. I honestly do not believe anymore that my vote counts.

I do vote, and I would never discourage anyone from voting, because I think we, as participants in a(n alleged) democracy, still have to make a good-faith effort. That's a standard I apply to many areas of life: I am not excused from doing the right thing just because someone else is doing something wrong or because my efforts might not make a difference. At times when I've had the money to do so, for example, I've freely given to panhandlers (geez, that word sounds nasty -- is there a gentler term?). I do not care what they're spending it on; that's their karma; mine is making a good-faith effort to relieve someone's misery.

But I see your point -- suppressing turnout does benefit Republicans, and I could see them using that kind of tactic on their left-leaning acquaintances. Actually, now that I think of it, a relative has done that to me. A total World Nut Daily-reading, Limbaugh-listening wingnut who never misses an election, including the oddly-scheduled local ones, tried to convince me it would have been no big deal if I didn't vote.

[liberal_at_heart]

50. I have never told someone to not vote. I however have been bullied into voting for someone I didn't

want to vote for many times, too many times. Not any more. I will not be bullied anymore. I do believe the two parties are the same and that the system is rigged and I will vote for whomever I damn well please thank you.

[NanceGreggs]

51. Just out of curiosity ...

Do you also post these same thoughts on Republican websites? It would seem that if both parties are the same, then you should be sharing your wisdom with voters in both camps. If both parties are indeed the same, why single out a "Democratic" website? In fact, why post on a political website at all?

[liberal_at_heart]

52. Because I have voted straight Democratic ticket for 20 years and I'm tired of the Corporate crap.

That's why. I don't go to Republican websites because I don't expect them to represent me. I do expect democrats to represent me. Only they don't. They represent Corporate America. I will be voting on initiatives this November. I am still doing research to figure out if any of the democrats on the ballot will be getting my vote. So far it is not looking promising.

[NanceGreggs]

53. The question was ...

... whether you share your "both parties are the same" thoughts with both parties.

That would just seem logical, being as they're the same and all.

[liberal_at_heart]

54. Having fun trying to trash me because I won't fall in with the party line?

Go ahead but it does little to legitimize your OP. In fact it only proves my first response to your OP. Those on your side are all too quick to try and bully those who don't vote the way they are told to. Well like I said. Go ahead. It still won't change my vote.

[NanceGreggs]

55. It's Peacetrain's OP - not mine.

Where did I suggest anything about falling in with the Party line? When did I tell you how to vote - or even that you should vote at all?

I should go ahead and do what? I want to change your vote? Quite frankly, I don't give a flyin' fuck whether you vote or not.

You said both parties are the same. I merely asked an obvious question: Do you share your new-found wisdom with voters in both parties, or only one? It's a question I've asked a few times of the "both parties are the same" posters here. I've yet to get an answer.

It would seem logical that if both parties are the same, you would want members of both parties to be apprised of this fact.

Who are those "on my side"? My side of what? Are people really "bullying" you because you don't vote the way you are told to? Who are they? Which way are you being told to vote - and by who?

I think you should name names. It's the only way to expose these bullies - right?

[liberal_at_heart]

56. I'm sorry, I don't have time to do a back and forth with you. I am currently researching the votes

by my Representatives. Apparently I have to chose between my husband and my son. You see one of the democrats in my district voted against tying student test scores to teacher evaluations. However, he also voted against medical marijuana(my husband has glaucoma). The other democrat in my district voted against medical marijuana and has no record of voting for or against tying student test scores to teacher evaluations.

[NanceGreggs]

57. Well, why choose between the Democrats?

Surely the Republican choices on the ballot will do exactly the same for your husband's well-being and your son's teaching career.

Both parties are the same. So why limit yourself to one party as a choice? In fact, why vote at all? Whoever represents you will be the same as the other guy - so why bother?

[liberal_at_heart]

58. I probably won't vote for those two position. I haven't decided about the third position. He may

look promising on education(he even uses the term fully fund education). I never hear democrats use those terms. I will have to do some more research to see if the has a position on medical marijuana. He has never run for office before so he doesn't have a voting record I can rely on. That makes me nervous. I like to go on results, not promises.

[NanceGreggs]

59. Do as you please.

I still don't have an answer as to whether you share your "both parties are the same" wisdom with both parties.

But then I never really expected an answer to the question - the reason for your non response being obvious.

[liberal_at_heart]

60. Umm in response 52 I clearly state I don't share my both parties are the same opinion

with both parties because I don't expect the republicans to vote for public services such as education or for medical marijuana patient rights and therefore never vote for them. I do however expect democrats to because I voted for them for 20 years.

[NanceGreggs]

61. In other words ...

... both parties are not the same. If they were the same, you would expect them to vote the same way on issues such as education and medical marijuana rights.

Well, there goes your whole "both parties are the same" theory.

[Andy823]

84. +100,000 nt

[treestar]

87. finally

Haha I bet they will not admit they were wrong.

[liberal_at_heart]

91. That would be funny if this wasn't such a serious issue.

Look I don't give a crap if you think the two parties are the same or not. I don't even care if any one else does either. I will continue to think the two parties are the same regardless of your critique. You seem hell bent on proving me wrong so you can influence other voters though which is something I don't do. I never try to influence other voters. Our votes are personal, intimate, sacred and get manipulated enough as it is. So you go your way and vote for who you want and I will go my way and vote or not vote for who I want. How about that?

[NanceGreggs]

99. And exactly how ...

... would my "proving you wrong" allow me to "influence other voters"?

"I never try to influence other voters." Really?

You're the one telling Democrats, on a Democratic website, that both parties are the same. Exactly what is your purpose in doing so? And what is your purpose in acting as though you are being persecuted by people who are "bullying" you - when you can offer no examples of same?

As for "proving" anything, you have done an excellent job of demonstrating that both parties are not the same via your own words. Who you vote for, or whether you vote at all, is of no interest to me whatsoever.

[liberal_at_heart]

108. Both parties are the same and my motivation is my son who both republicans and

democrats seem fit to torture under the Race to the Top education policy. Have fun on my ignore list.

[NanceGreggs]

109. If both parties are the same ...

... I repeat my original query: Are you sharing your political wisdom with Republicans, as well as Democrats? If not, why not? If both parties are the same, both parties' adherents should be equally receptive, not to mention appreciative, of your views.

As for your Ignore List - well, that designation is always the first resort of people who don't have the courage of their convictions, and choose instead to ignore those who expose their lack thereof.

[stage left]

101. + a million

[ZombieHorde]

62. My local votes count, but my POTUS vote does not count.

Due to the electoral college, and that I live in Montana, my POTUS vote will go to the Republican. My POTUS vote has already been decided. My 2014 votes count, unless there is some fraud, so I will definitely show up and most likely vote straight Democrat. But in 2016, whether I vote for the Dem, the Rep, Green, Mickey Mouse, or whomever for POTUS is irrelevant. It's all the same.

I know the electoral college is the bureaucratic system we will likely be stuck with for a long time, but that doesn't mean I won't whine about it every now and then.

[Art_from_Ark]

110. I have the same problem

Unless there's a Democratic Southern governor running for President, Arkansas will almost certainly vote for the Republican, by a large margin*. On the bright side, if I write in "Mickey Mouse" and then see that there is one vote for "Mickey Mouse" in my county's totals, then at least I'll know that my other votes were counted




*If Hillary is the 2016 Presidential nominee, she might be able to win the state due to her connections to the state as former First Lady of Arkansas and Wife of Bill.

[hobbit709]

71. Without a verifiable paper trail, I have extreme doubt that my vote counts.

Make of that what you want.

[Bluenorthwest]

81. Here in Oregon we have paper ballots.

It is better.

[JoePhilly]

73. Depress turnout, GOP wins ... its that simple.

[blue neen]

75. Right here on DU; everyday in every way.

The different approaches taken can be quite inventive---their goal is all the same...they're trying to get Democrats to stay home.

[Bobbie Jo]

86. Look no further

than this very thread.

[TBF]

76. TX info has been posted in

the state forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/107821430

If anyone has questions please post them so I or someone with more info can try to help. I know we have people who are active in the precincts checking in (I'm not active right now but have been in the past).

[Corruption Inc]

85. I voted for torturers to be prosecuted, along with criminal bankers

It didn't matter ONE F-ING BIT. I still vote but it only matters in local elections, the feds are completely corrupt.

[SidDithers]

88. DU rec for pissing off all the right people...

Your OP is so simple, yet so many are twisting themselves into pretzels to dispute your clear statement, and proving you absolutely right in the process.



Sid

[Peacetrain]

93. Well my hope is people will think about what they are saying

I know I worry about the efficacy of our voting system.. I live in the reddest district in Iowa.. but if people just throw up their hands and say, my vote does not count.. its nothing I can support.. if not the perfect than nothing.. I cannot even begin to relay how deeply that hurts me Sid.. I am from that generation that saw so many die for the right to vote.. and there is a huge difference in parties.. and staying home is not a viable option in my book..

[Orsino]

100. Your vote will not count.

Combine it with those of millions of others, however, and some serious shit can be done.

[tabasco]

102. Bunch of 'em here on DU

You betcha!

[mmonk]

111. I am a gerrymandered voter living with additional voter suppression measures.

I intend to vote but I do not like being taken for a fool participating in a rigged contest. Do not judge the victim.

[Peacetrain]

114. I live in the reddest district in Iowa.. Steve King country

and we are mightily outnumbered but by keeping our focus.. and not giving up in even in the face of overwhelming odds we have made a difference..

[woo me with science]

113. Keep browbeating the poor suckers who have to decide between the party that supports

Mass spying on Americans
Handing the internet to corporations
Austerity for the masses
Cutting social safety nets
Corporatists in the cabinet
Tolling our interstate highways
Corporate education policy
Bank bailouts
Ignoring the trillions stashed overseas
Trans-Pacific Job/Wage Killing Secret Agreement
TISA corporate overlord agreement
Drilling and fracking
Wars on medical marijuana instead of corrupt banks
Deregulation of the food industry
GMO's
Privatization of the TVA
Immunity for telecoms
"Looking forward" and letting war criminals off the hook
Deciding torturers are patriots
Militarized police and assaults on protesters
Indefinite detention
Drone wars and kill lists
Targeting of journalists and whistleblowers
Private prisons replacing public prisons
Treating unions with contempt
Trillion dollar increase in nuclear weapons
New war in Iraq
New war in Syria
Carpet bombing of captive population in Gaza

and the party that supports

Mass spying on Americans
Handing the internet to corporations
Austerity for the masses
Cutting social safety nets
Corporatists in the cabinet
Tolling our interstate highways
Corporate education policy
Bank bailouts
Ignoring the trillions stashed overseas
Trans-Pacific Job/Wage Killing Secret Agreement
TISA corporate overlord agreement
Drilling and fracking
Wars on medical marijuana instead of corrupt banks
Deregulation of the food industry
GMO's
Privatization of the TVA
Immunity for telecoms
"Looking forward" and letting war criminals off the hook
Deciding torturers are patriots
Militarized police and assaults on protesters
Indefinite detention
Drone wars and kill lists
Targeting of journalists and whistleblowers
Private prisons replacing public prisons
Treating unions with contempt
Trillion dollar increase in nuclear weapons
New war in Iraq
New war in Syria
Carpet bombing of captive population in Gaza