Do you research candidates before voting? How could anyone vote for Romney or Ob

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   Man from Modestoposted 12 years ago

   Do you research candidates before voting? How could anyone vote for Romney or Obama?
   
   I wrote articles about a local Modesto mayoral election in 2012. Though I was on the first Google results page for the biggest search phrases on Google (and there weren't too many!), only a few dozen read the articles.
   I see people voting for Obama and Romney. How could anyone vote for these? Personally, I'm voting independent party- so I will not waste my vote.
   It is time to send a message to the world elite: We don't like your canned puppets!

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   Chris Daneposted 12 years ago

   I am such a nerd that, yes, I do research my candidates before voting and have done so since 1998. I had hoped that Colin Powell would run for president in 2000 and I could vote Republican, but it didn't happen. I ended up voting for Gore, since Bush had been my governor the whole time and I already knew what a fiscal disaster he was (Texas was in a historic budget deficit crisis).
   
   So now we find ourselves in this cycle, and I knew Romney was the candidate long before the primaries had heated up (The RNC already threw in the towel a long time ago and decided to focus on the Senate and House. Romney was told, "Hey, you're rich. Go get 'em, Tiger!") I read all of the Books of Mormon, included POGP and D&C, so I no longer see them as anything close to Scientology, the way some people speak about them. I do accept that they are Christians. And I studied his life (which is really interesting, actually!), his business record, and his scant policy record.
   
   My conclusion: I really like Mitt Romney. He's a great guy. I'm not voting for him, though. I'm hoping Barack Obama gets re-elected. I've investigated his past as well, looked into all of the Ayers and birth certificate claims and conspiracies, weighed all of that, and I'm pretty certain it's all just sour grapes. Obama, too, is a great guy and good man. He has my vote.
   
   Neither of these men are perfect, nor are you going to ever find a presidential candidate that agrees with even 50% of your views. The Senate and Congress are more likely to have a member that has a majority of your views, because individually they represent fewer people. As president, you are leader of your party (big tent) and also have to lead the entire country. We are sometimes attracted to fringe candidates that reflect more of our views, but then you'd have somebody who doesn't reflect the majority and the President should never become the tyranny of the minority, as secretly tempting as we all find that to be.
   
   My advice would be to write down all of the policy issues you are most concerned with and then rate them in order of importance. Then, review the policy record (I'd love to say not the statements, just the policy record, but sometimes you just have to roll the dice) of each candidate to determine which might best accomplish your policy interests.
   
   And of course, good luck! And Happy Election 2012!

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      Man from Modestoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Chris,
      
      Thank you for a well-developed response. I'm glad someone is watching. I do challenge you on this: What percentage of campaign statements do think Romney will keep? Obama? Before you answer, look up "Rules for Radicals". Rule #1: Lie.

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      Chris Daneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, looked up "Rules for Radicals" and thought I was reading Rove's little red book. Obama has kept more campaign promises than any modern president, so he's hated. Romney is the left's last chance to get a Massachusett's liberal. Make sense?

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   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   First of all, you can't really listen to what they say in their speeches. Second, studying a politician's previous legislative voting record has no bearing on how he or she will vote on future legislation. Politicians often flip-flop their policies. As Governor of Massachusetts, Romney had a different group of supporters than he has now. President Obama has changed somewhat since 2008. From where these potential future presidents get their campaign contributions is public information that anyone can access. You may find that they are not much different in this way other than the fact that the Democrats tend to get more financial backing from unions, which Republicans refuse to take money from. Once in office, these men are railroaded into making decisions by the national security establishment (which deliberately scares the hell out of them) and their financial contributors. Romney won't be able to play the Christ card in an election, which endears me to him. He's also obsessed with making money and working hard. Obama could play the "Christ card", but no one believes that he's a Christian anyway. So for once, God will be left out of the Executive branch one way or another. Both men have identical foreign policy objectives. Just look at their backgrounds to understand their areas of expertise: Romney ran a successful business, he knows Wall Street, and knows fiscal management as well as anyone. No banker can pull one over on him. He's what Eisenhower was to the Military Industrial Complex--part of it, but unable to be bullied by it. President Obama knows law, he has a heart for the American people, and he is an intellectual who likes to see every side of an argument. Both men are from progressive regions of the country. I think this is a safe election no matter which way it goes. The next unlucky president will preside over us while China's economy surpasses ours. Obama annoys me because he was supposed to be our peace candidate and proved to be a warmonger. I think Romney is annoyed with the GOP for passing him over in '08 and may go his own way as a moderate Republican. I won't vote anyway, so it doesn't matter to me.

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      Chris Daneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Dear Old Empresario, please vote. I honestly care less who you vote for than that you participate. I understand the sentiment, believe me, I do, but we can't afford to tune out. Not any more. Please reconsider. As for the rest, well said.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Chris: Can't afford to tune out?  Is that what you think people who don't vote are doing.  When the ballot has no one on it that you would trust with a plastic fork and there's no place for a write in, what do you think a voter should do?

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      Chris Daneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Swordsbane, even though you don't trust them, one of them is still going to be holding the plastic fork after the election. At least vote for the one you trust more. Otherwise, yes, you are tuning out and often enabling the worse of the two to win.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Chris: I don't buy that.  You've got a bunch of people arguing about the color of a building that's on fire.  It doesn't matter who wins the argument, the building is still going to burn down.  You want me to contribute to THAT?  That's idiotic.

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      Old Empresarioposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My non-vote shall be my vote of "no confidence".

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      Man from Modestoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! Some novel insights. Thank you.

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   swordsbaneposted 12 years ago

   I look for something a candidate is doing that set's him apart from the rest of the politicians.  Otherwise, they are just two sides of the same coin: one that will rob you, lie to you, and be generally corrupt.
   
   I'm still waiting for that person that stands out.  Since Kennedy, none of them have stood out except in a bad way.

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      bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      As far as "occupy" they wasted public resouces, broke laws and their camps bacame havens for criminals, that is why I do not have any respect for them.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So because the Occupy movement is stupid, nothing works but voting?  The only way voting works is if there were no names on the ballot at all and everyone got to write in their own candidate.  No primaries, no conventions, no corporate money.

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   bn9900posted 12 years ago

   Plain and simple, you have to look at the lesser of two evils! And after 4 years of failed policies, free vacations, handouts to the illegals, job killing bills, stealing from seniors, I'd have to say you're a fool to vote Obama, unfortunately there is barely any coverage of other candidates (if there are any) in the media, online or otherwise. But thats just my two cents worth.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How about "no evil"??  If we're down to voting for the guy who's just going to screw us the least, then what the hell are we doing?

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      bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      sword, we have no other option.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      ...and that's why people don't vote.

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      bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you don't vote, then you do not have the right to complain about what happens.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      bn9900: really?  The house burns down, but I don't have the right to complain about it because I wasn't joining everyone else when they argued about what color to paint it?  Is that what you're saying?

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      bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, thats not what I'm saying, if you don't take the effort to stand up and say anything (vote) then you have no right to complain since you didn't take time to speak up when you had the chance.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So you think that voting is the only way to say something important?  The only thing voting does is say "This is the man I want for the job" but what if no one I can vote for is anyone I want for the job?  I have no choice but to say "no" to them all

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      BJCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Totally agree bn9900.
      
      @ swordsbane,  if you want to do something besides complaining and not vote, perhaps you should try running for office with your own platform.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      BJC: Love to, but a system that only gives you a voice when you're actually running for office isn't what we signed on for.  And for the record, I WANT to vote.  I just don't see any way I CAN vote and still have the candidate I want.

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       That's your choice, but we saw what happens when people took took another route, the occupy movement didn't do anything, just ticked off people who were trying to do their own things. Not to mention the clean up costs pasted on to the taxpayer.

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       bn9900:  Seriously?  You look at the Occupy movement and say "See, it didn't work, so let's go back to voting"
       
       Clue yourself in: Voting isn't working either, yet you want to keep doing that.  Go ahead... Tell me it's going to be different this time.

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I am clued in thank you very much, and all I said was if you do not vote, then don't complain.  If you don't see a candidate you like, fine vote for a third party.  Communist, Green, or a whole slue of others, but at least you voted.  As far as Occup

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       bn9900: You're missing the point.  The people I want to vote for ARE NOT ON THE BALLOT.  How do we "get our say" through the voting process when the voting process forces us to stay mute or vote for someone we don't like?

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       aliciaharrellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       @swordsbane: If the people you want to vote for are not on the ballot, write them on the ballot and vote for them. All Americans have the right to write on the ballot who they want in any elected office. This is per the US Constitution - read it.

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I don't know about you, but the last ballot I saw (for the general presidential election) had no place for a write-in candidate.  You can't use write-in's anymore unless you doodle in the margins.  How much is that going to count for?

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Sword-then WRITE THEM IN.. .Every Ballot I have ever received, has a write in space, every one.

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       aliciaharrellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       bn9900 is correct, all ballots regardless of election in the USA has a write-in section for all voters. If they did not, the ballot would not be legal and valid in the USA. If you cannot find it, ask the person who is handing out the ballots.

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Read my comment again.  Also, write-in's have to be ELIGIBLE for candidacy.  The popular vote carry's no legal weight in the general election, everyone could vote one way and if the electorate votes another, law is with the electors.  Yay democracy

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I did read your comment and you are correct they have to be eligible for the presidency, but that didn't stop obama now did it?

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       bn9900:  Didn't stop Obama from what?  Are you gonna harp on the "He's not a citizen" thing again?  Grow up.
       
       The states set the rules for write-ins and not very many states allow write-ins.  That isn't illegal.  It's how the system works... or doesn

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Not harping, just sayin' and I'm still waiting for the facts.  And telling me to grow up just shows that you have no tolerance for a differet view...typical liberal (not saying you are) ideology.

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I have no tolerance for willful ignorance.  Waiting for facts?  Not accepting facts already in evidence is typical Conservative ideology (not saying you are)

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       aliciaharrellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       @swordsbane: You used the word "Democracy" in reference to the US government. According to the US Constitution it is a "Republic" with 3 branches. The US has a representative government, not run by the populace like ancient Athen's Democracy. Fact!

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Oh I know it's a republic.  Some of the "vote or don't complain" crowd don't seem to... And just because it's a fact, it doesn't mean it's right.

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       "Not accepting facts already in evidence..."What facts? A piece of paper that has have the wording blacked out?  Thats fact? you you should be a politician, since you are only taking that kind of fact to be truth...I want a full birth certificate,..

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       bn9900: Snopes destroyed that fantasy last year.  Full BC.. nothing blacked out.  Try to keep up.

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Sorry to burst your bubble but check this link.    Snopes does  have a pic of a BC, but it shows it is from Kenya, there is no seal of the State of Hawaii http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/bi … .asp#photo

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It's there.  Try:
       http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/bi … ficate.asp

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       bn9900posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Ok, thanks looks legal, but I'll always wonder.  I always wondered about him, when he never came forward right away.  When you are running for office, I believe all your records should be made available.

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       swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Except when you're running for office and someone comes up with a majorly STUPID idea, you don't lose points for ignoring them.  I've got plenty of solid reasons for disliking Obama.  I don't need made up ones.

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       Man from Modestoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       bn9900- I have taken to voting for the best candidate NOT member to either major party. Often, I do not vote. The non-vote is a vote against the two-party (elite-controlled) system.

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   BJCposted 12 years ago

   I look to the one who has most of the same values that I have with the understanding that they both have flip flopped and lied.  Neither one of them are particularly any good and are far from what I want in a leader.  People should research and vote their conscience.   I can recall hearing people in the '70's saying they voted for Carter because he was from the south.  Truly ignorant.  Same for Clinton - some women thought he was good looking - really?  They are foolish reasons to vote for someone.  However, having said that, to not vote is a disgrace and people who choose not to vote really have no say in the matter.

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      swordsbaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I hear people all the time saying "Well I ended up voting for (idiot) because I really hated (bigger idiot)  Those people are breaking the system.  They're telling (idiot) that you LIKE him, when you clearly don't.  They're part of the problem.

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   aliciaharrellposted 12 years ago

   I research every elected official candidate, regardless of office they are campaigning for, before voting. I like to see who their backers are; check for certain flags like global non-American based oil companies. You would be surprised how many Democrat and Republican elected officials own British Petroleum oil stock.
   
   For those who vote for President Obama or Mr. Mitch Romney, I am certain it is a matter of conscience or they are picking what they believe is the "lesser" evil for Washington D.C. Mr. Romney, being Mormon, does have a higher moral standard he must follow or his church would excommunicate him. Knowing this about the Mormon Church, my view is that this makes Mr. Romney a more honest politician in comparison to President Obama, who I have caught trying to feed Americans Leninist and Marxist rhetoric in his speeches. I am the American who has read the speeches by Lenin and "The Communist Manifesto" in order to prevent me from accidentally voting socialist.
   
   When I do not care for either candidate, I do a write-in vote; it is my right. I am opposed to the "career politician." The current salaries the Federal Legislative and Executive Branches receive are not what were originally intended. They should never have been increased in the 20th century. This lead to the "career politician" who is solely self serving and does not care what he charges the tax payer. For shame! In the words of our first President George Washington, "It is an honor to be elected."

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      aliciaharrellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for this honor!

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   Beachlifeposted 12 years ago

   Honestly i try to do my own research but these days you can't trust the media or newspapers or anything that you find on the web for that matter. I will vote even if i have to write in someone, because neither of these guys are measuring up too well. These guys are so far right or so far left that there is NO middle. I blame congress for not trying to work together and not trying to work with the current sitting president. I think they should be all fired. If you didn't do your job, there would be 100 other people in line to take your place.

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      Man from Modestoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A lot of what I see in politics appears to be nothing more than an effort to divide us all against each other. Then they step in as the "solution" with more laws that ultimately yield power to them. This is one of their known tactics, btw.

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   stanwshuraposted 12 years ago

   I absolutely DO research the issues, the candidates and their positions and vision before I cast my ballot.  That is PRECISELY why I will vote for Barack Obama.  He has it correct on almost every issue (I'm a pro-life liberal), and Romney not only has it wrong, then right, then wrong...whichever way the wind blows is what this flip-flopper hails with gusto.  Romney is extremely dishonest.  Obama may screew up once in awhile, and I don't agree with him on everything, but he has integrity and ambition for America, unlike Romney, whose ambition is completely self-focused.

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      Man from Modestoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You may not have noticed, but Obama is transferring all the wealth to his friends.

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