Goose Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 They're coming up. Thoughts? Predictions? Who are you voting for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacruel Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 There's a midterm election?*shot* But really, I should vote, but I don't know enough about any of the candidates to vote. Also, I'm not staunch enough in any political stance to know I'd vote Democrat or Republican. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shradow Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 There's a midterm election?*shot* But really, I should vote, but I don't know enough about any of the candidates to vote. Also, I'm not staunch enough in any political stance to know I'd vote Democrat or Republican. My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately (or not?), I'm not that politically aware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 You're canadian, stop interfering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourmaline Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 In this topic, we see a Canadian more politically aware of a country than some of its own countrymen. Unfortunately, in this scenario, it has more of a bearing on the ignorance of the lowbrow, American countrymen than the more cultured, Canadian gentlegoose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yang Xiao-Long Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 To be honest, I've been staying out of politics since Obama's re-election.I'll probably be too busy with college classes to even remember to vote, honestly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I'm a scholar of politics. Feel no shame! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 In this topic, we see a Canadian more politically aware of a country than some of its own countrymen. Unfortunately, in this scenario, it has more of a bearing on the ignorance of the lowbrow, American countrymen than the more cultured, Canadian gentlegoose. All he's shown is that he knows midterm elections are coming up in the US. Most Americans know that, but have become so cynical about the system– with good reason– that they just don't care anymore. Anyway, generally the Republican party has an edge in midterm elections because left-leaning demographics in the US have statistically voted more during Presidential election years than in midterms. Generally expecting incumbents to be on the hot seat considering how low Congress's approval rating is, with Democrats having issues likely based on public opinion of the Executive branch as well as the previously stated political average of midterm voters, and Republicans having issues based on more and more primary elections being won by far-right leaning tea party candidates over more moderate Republicans who would have had a much better chance of winning in a general election. And when all is said and done, likely nothing will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 The success of incumbents is largely based on the economy despite posturing that you see or polling you see. People hate congress but not their personal congressperson. Growth has been weak though so I wouldn't be surprised if the Republicans do well. Having said that, the Republicans are facing issues because they are being pulled right alarmingly quick partially by real Republicans and partially by Democrats who register to vote as Republicans. I don't really read polls on the US so I can't make my own predictions, but if we can all be real for a moment I think we can agree whatever 538 says is probably going to happen. ON A SIDE NOTE and an important one, the cynical attitudes of Americans leading them to not participate is so dumb that it infuriates me. Participation is essential. These people need to actually do something about it if they actually want something to change. Voting is one method that far too few people employ but it isn't the only thing. Running for office, showing up to debates, showing up to meetings, joining protests, or writing letters to the editor are all options and people who think that because the candidates suck they shouldn't participate are either stupid, lazy, or just haven't bothered to think for a moment about it. EDIT: i do know more about american politics than most americans, can confirm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacruel Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 The success of incumbents is largely based on the economy despite posturing that you see or polling you see. People hate congress but not their personal congressperson. Growth has been weak though so I wouldn't be surprised if the Republicans do well. Having said that, the Republicans are facing issues because they are being pulled right alarmingly quick partially by real Republicans and partially by Democrats who register to vote as Republicans. I don't really read polls on the US so I can't make my own predictions, but if we can all be real for a moment I think we can agree whatever 538 says is probably going to happen. ON A SIDE NOTE and an important one, the cynical attitudes of Americans leading them to not participate is so dumb that it infuriates me. Participation is essential. These people need to actually do something about it if they actually want something to change. Voting is one method that far too few people employ but it isn't the only thing. Running for office, showing up to debates, showing up to meetings, joining protests, or writing letters to the editor are all options and people who think that because the candidates suck they shouldn't participate are either stupid, lazy, or just haven't bothered to think for a moment about it. EDIT: i do know more about american politics than most americans, can confirm. I'm gonna give some perspective on my cynicism. I voted during the 2012 presidential. Turn on the tv and everyone's joking about how we were finally able to decide without Florida. (The difference in votes was big enough.) This is all fine and good but... 1) The electoral system with the states and points is idiotic. It should be the popular vote. 2) Florida has proven to have shady corrupt voting. Basically, my vote actually doesn't matter. And basically, if you're not in a swing state, your vote does not matter either. The midterm elections are a bit more involved, and I should read up on it, but it's hard to care when you literately cannot make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andx Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Another contributing factor to the low voter turn-out in America is actually the frequency of our elections. On the federal level you have one every two years. But then there's state, county, and city elections taking place some times in line with those other elections or in some cases on different dates and times. Add on top of this primary elections among the different parties just to decide who should run in the actual election for the more important offices and you've got a lot of elections to participate in as a voter, none of which the common voter cares to study up on past perhaps the presidential. I have no citation on hand but I've heard somewhere that were we to have less elections we could probably expect a higher turn out. As for my own participation in the election, I will of course be voting. Though it often doesn't feel like your votes mean too much I still make it a point to exercise that right. I don't claim any particular political party but I find it easier to align myself with Republicans based on religious views which make me generally conservative I guess. Republicans used to supposedly support many of the same standards I have but at least in D.C. I don't see much past pandering to major sponsors from either party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I did point out the multitude of ways to participate beyond elections. Fuck, even posting in this thread is participating to an extent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 It doesn't help that our political system suuuuuuuuuuucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Hard to find one that doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 idk Finland's pretty cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 voter turnout has in general been decreasing since the 60s so maybe not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 It's still over 20% more of the voting age population turning out than the US, 40% more if you're only looking at non-presidential voting years where the VAP percentage is hovering at around like 35% of the total, which is bleak as f***. I was speaking more about the whole country and general and not just the voting turnout. Finland's consistently rated in the top places to live and the least corrupt government in the world. Their only fear is basically that Russia will invade again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacruel Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 It's still over 20% more of the voting age population turning out than the US, 40% more if you're only looking at non-presidential voting years where the VAP percentage is hovering at around like 35% of the total, which is bleak as f***. I was speaking more about the whole country and general and not just the voting turnout. Finland's consistently rated in the top places to live and the least corrupt government in the world. Their only fear is basically that Russia will invade again. Also if you get a Doctorate you get a sword. js Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Also if you get a Doctorate you get a sword. js Kay then. I'm moving to Finland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Finland is ethnically homogenous an has strict immigration combined with natural resources so the comparison is a weak one at best with the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacruel Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottoriapumekaanikkoaliupseerioppilas is a word in Finnish. I imagine learning it is difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 That's because they do compound words so they have stuff like atomiydinenergiareaktorigeneraattorilauhduttajaturbiiniratasvaihde which is literally "atomic nuclear energy reactor generator condenser turbine cogwheel stage". Obviously this is copy-pasta'd form wikipedia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 That's because they do compound words so they have stuff like atomiydinenergiareaktorigeneraattorilauhduttajaturbiiniratasvaihde which is literally "atomic nuclear energy reactor generator condenser turbine cogwheel stage". Obviously this is copy-pasta'd form wikipedia. Well, I mean....who would want to memorize and type out a word manually just for this? Anywhozzle. Honestly, I admit I don't get involved as I should in politics. Probably will change sometime soon though, as I really should be. I just hate the system. It's more "Oh I want my side to win." than "Who would be the best for the country, which individual do I agree with more?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Well, I mean....who would want to memorize and type out a word manually just for this? Anywhozzle. Honestly, I admit I don't get involved as I should in politics. Probably will change sometime soon though, as I really should be. I just hate the system. It's more "Oh I want my side to win." than "Who would be the best for the country, which individual do I agree with more?" Wouldn't you agree people usually pick their side based on what they think would be best for the country? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Wouldn't you agree people usually pick their side based on what they think would be best for the country? Not entirely. Basically what I mean is, there are many people (At least around where I live) who will stick to one political party and vote for them, even if they don't really know much about what the specific person believes and will do. Plus, being a Republican/Democrat/etc. politician doesn't mean you have all the same ideas as the others in your party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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