Interference Poll: 2012 US Presidential Election

[Pearl]

I first voted in 2000. I don't remember how I felt, but my dad was beaming from ear to ear and telling everyone in the polling station that I was a first-time voter. I think him embarrassing me like that overwhelmed whatever feelings I did have, which might have been accomplishment.

[digitize]

Originally Posted by Caleb8844

Thanks! Hopefully I, too, will never lose this enthusiasm for being involved in our political process.

I voted in my first presidential election this year, but I had lost my enthusiasm lonnnnnnng before actually voting.

[iron yuppie]

I will cast my vote for Obama tomorrow.

Since Romney secured the election, he has worked to make the economy the main issue, and I can certainly understand not only why he did that, but also why that issue would loom large in the minds of many voters.

Even as something of an economic determinist, though, this election to me is fundamentally about social issues. There are people near and dear to me who could be severely hurt by a Republican presidency. Even as an arch-cynic, I believe that Obama genuinely is concerned for the welfare of gays, women, and other demographics whom the Republican establishment is far too willing to marginalize. This election seems to me a stark mandate on whether this country actually does have an interest in equality under the law. If it does, Obama must be the choice, regardless of the viability of his economic vision.

[Vlad n U 2]

Originally Posted by digitize

The Constitution Party makes the Tea Party Movement look left-wing. They're pretty awful.

ETA: Virgil Goode, on the election of Keith Ellison, the first Islamic member of Congress, and his swearing-in on a Quran:

I knew as much.

[deep]

Originally Posted by Caleb8844

Thanks! Hopefully I, too, will never lose this enthusiasm for being involved in our political process.

Originally Posted by digitize

I voted in my first presidential election this year, but I had lost my enthusiasm lonnnnnnng before actually voting.

I voted in my first presidential election too, but it was over 30 years ago. I have also voted in every election every two years. Both the primaries and the general. I rarely am enthusiastic. But, because of my 100% voting record, and I vote on every item on the ballot, too. Some are pretty lame. party appointees to committees. Anyways, I kind of feel it is a civic duty and responsibility. It does not take that long. Most of the elections that will effect the quality and cost of things in your life have nothing to do with the presidential election. Local issues will have more effects. Most people do not understand this. Here in CA, tomorrow I will vote on if CA continues to have a death penalty, if we pass a small sales tax so public education, colleges, are not cut to the bone. If unions will be able to take members dues and use them for politics. If all modified food must be labeled, if this passes in CA, because we are the largest food producer, this will go nation wide. Sentencing laws for 3rd time offenders. Those are just some of the state wide. City wide, a charter change to forbid class action lawsuits against the city. A ban on red-light and stop sign cameras used for ticketing.

I have 20 items on my ballot, took awhile but I have read up and made a decision on each one. The city wide changes are actually an update to our city charter, that is like the constitution. I participated in drafting the changes. The council wanted to take our public libraries away from the Board of Trustees and put it under their control. I did not want politicians banning books. I was successful in getting them to leave it alone.

In closing, today, especially with the internet, one can bone up on all the ballot issues. I encourage you to do that. My personal involvement has had at a $500,000 to $600,000 benefit to me personally. (they would have changed the zoning on property I own that would have lowered the value) participating and voting can and does make a difference.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by iron yuppie

I will cast my vote for Obama tomorrow.

Since Romney secured the election, he has worked to make the economy the main issue, and I can certainly understand not only why he did that, but also why that issue would loom large in the minds of many voters.

Even as something of an economic determinist, though, this election to me is fundamentally about social issues. There are people near and dear to me who could be severely hurt by a Republican presidency. Even as an arch-cynic, I believe that Obama genuinely is concerned for the welfare of gays, women, and other demographics whom the Republican establishment is far too willing to marginalize. This election seems to me a stark mandate on whether this country actually does have an interest in equality under the law. If it does, Obama must be the choice, regardless of the viability of his economic vision.

Agreed.

To me, the presidency is most about two things:

1. Foreign policy.
2. The Supreme Court

The president can only do so much economically, and can only be credited and blamed so much.

When it comes to these two issues, it's not even the same planet.

I think Obama will win tomorrow. I will be sad if he doesn't. Sure, I'll enjoy however much my taxes are lowered. But my civil rights and, more importantly, keeping those who actively seek to do me harm away from having their pernicious influence over the presidency, simply cannot be bought.

[Pearl]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

I think Obama will win tomorrow. I will be sad if he doesn't. Sure, I'll enjoy however much my taxes are lowered. But my civil rights and, more importantly, keeping those who actively seek to do me harm away from having their pernicious influence over the presidency, simply cannot be bought.

I agree with the economics part, but I also am nervous about women's issues if Romney gets in. That is why I'm hoping the Democrats keep control of Congress to prevent any radical changes to abortion and contraceptives.

[bono_212]

This is actually the first I've voted in (for president, I voted in 2010). Last time around I also was not a fan of either option, and while I took all the time to register to vote absentee in the Democratic primary, I kind of forgot until it was too late to get my actual election absentee ballot sent to me.

[bono_212]

For the record, tomorrow, when I vote for John R. Gregg and his mustache for governor, it will be because he has tried to focus on not making this an election based on social issues, and that's kind of the most important thing to me right now.

The economy and foreign policy are in such dire straits that everyone needs to just stop bickering about the same damn things that they're never going to agree on. Fix the problems that can be fixed.

[INDY500]

Romney/Ryan

Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (Official Video) - YouTube

[deep]

there is a lot of hope
and prayers, in Red States, tonight, hold on

[LemonMelon]

Where's Iron Horse? Gary Johnson is starting to worry about his chances.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by Pearl

I agree with the economics part, but I also am nervous about women's issues if Romney gets in. That is why I'm hoping the Democrats keep control of Congress to prevent any radical changes to abortion and contraceptives.

Row v Wade will remain law no matter what, but you'll likely see more erosions of choice in te way of required transvaginal ultrasounds like in VA and cutting of funding to Planned Parenthood.

All of which will only harm poor women. I suppose having cervical cancer is better than having an abortion.

[PhilsFan]

I am voting in my first election and I am voting for Barack Obama.

Mitt Romney is awful. I dislike everything about his positions. I don't trust him. His running mate is a disaster. His economic plan makes no practical sense. His social issues are archaic and regressive. I cannot understand anyone who supports Romney. Anyone I've talked to (hundreds) who has tried to explain their views and why they support Romney just says things that either don't make sense or aren't true. I have yet to see one single coherent argument for a Romney presidency in all of these months. It's unbelievably frustrating.

I am voting for Obama to keep that guy out of the presidency.

[corianderstem]

Originally Posted by INDY500

Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (Official Video) -

If Romney wins, will he give us four years of awesome drum fills?

Originally Posted by Irvine511

Row v Wade

... depends on how deep the water is.

 

Thank you, I'm here all week! Tip your waitress!

[Moonlit_Angel]

Cori? You are awesome.

That is all .

[corianderstem]

Aw, shucks. I'm glad I can still bring a laugh or two in between my bouts of excessive internet crankiness.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

... depends on how deep the water is.

* SPOILER *

Damn you autocorrect!

(You should have seen the suggestions for "transvaginal")

[corianderstem]

A friend texted me tonight that I should turn on PBS for some Mark Twain comedy award thing for Ellen Degeneres. But it autocorrected to Degenerate.

I was all, damn girl, when did you turn into some mean anti-gay Ellen hater?

Then she was all, whoops.

And I was all LOL.

[bono_212]

I couldn't think of a funny way to point the typo out , thanks Cori