As we hit the middle of October and as November nears I would like to remind everyone who is over 18 and a registered voter to not forget about the MidTerm Elections this year. If you aren't happy with the way things are going in our country at this time this is your chance to make a difference, or if you don't mind how things are going it is your chance to try to keep things the same. As Election Day this year happens to fall on Jon's birthday and the site anniversary and the cd release, I wanted to remind everyone that yes it is important for Jon's career that we buy his album and it is important to the site that we have reached our 2nd year, but it is even more important for us to use our voice at the polls! Remember if you don't vote you can't complain about the outcome
I vote by mail so my ballot will be done prior to election day. A lot of young people don't bother voting, but your vote is needed. Read the voter's guide that comes in the mail, then get out and VOTE. It was said that more people voted for the last American Idol than the President of the USA. So if you are 18 + and you took the time to vote for your favorite Idol each week, each year, etc, you can take the time to vote in the upcoming election. If you are not registered, there are many places to do so. In my state you can register to vote at the same time you get or renew your driver's license.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
If I remember right, the last Presidental Election saw the greatest number of younger voters thinks to things like Rock The Vote and Vote or Die (Even though Diddy got mad they didn't vote how he wanted them to)
There are also a lot more people eligible to vote for Idol than to vote for government. I also don't think a lot of people know much about it or care (because they don't know). Politics is hard for me....I fall between both parties and I don't like what either one is doing to the other or to the country. It's a big high school drama of finger pointing and he said/she said. They are both so hell bend on making the other look bad that they all look bad and lose focus on what the real issues are.
I hate politics and politicians.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Originally posted by Gidget: There are also a lot more people eligible to vote for Idol than to vote for government. I also don't think a lot of people know much about it or care (because they don't know). Politics is hard for me....I fall between both parties and I don't like what either one is doing to the other or to the country. It's a big high school drama of finger pointing and he said/she said. They are both so hell bend on making the other look bad that they all look bad and lose focus on what the real issues are.
I hate politics and politicians.
Aw. There are lots of good people in office. The bad ones get the most attention.
There's nothing about parties in the Constitution, and that was intentional; they wanted to avoid having entrenched factions choose the president. Ironically, Jefferson and Madison immediately got a party-- the Jeffersonian or Democratic-Repulican party-- to oppose another party that had formed. LOL It's ironic especially because Madison was one of the strongest opponents to factions. Parties now play a role in determining who manages the floor proceedings in congress. They still don't have a Constitutional role in elections, but the two major parties have an easy time getting nominees on the ballot.
Personally I think parties can do what they like, but the party registration part of voter registration should be abolished.
Thanks for the remider Jolie. I'm looking forward to election day for two reasons: one because I get to let my 'voice' be heard and two because it will mean an end to these annoying, useless mud-slinging campaign adds! I mean, I'm all for heaing about the candidates and where they stand on the issues, but when candidate A tells me why candidate B is a bad choice and visa-versa with out ever talking about what THEY plan to do to change things, it annyos the heck out of me.
Oh and Iris, you make a very good point abou the party voter registration being abolished. Oh, and what you were talking about with the Jeffersonian party is exactly what we are talking about in my history class...just thought I'd point that out because..well...because I can.
Originally posted by iris: It's not true that the American Idol had more voters. Maybe more votes, but not more people casting them.
Correct. I was stating what they said on AI. My point being that there are probably a lot of young people who will pound their phone for 2 hours a week for weeks on end voting for their favorite(s) but don't have the time or interest to go vote in the elections on things that really matter.
My name is Paula and I approve this message.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Does anyone remember those campaign ads and PSAs we made up for Jon when he was on AI? And who could forget the tongue in cheek "Anti-Diva" campaign ads we made up. lol. OH what fun.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Originally posted by iris: It's not true that the American Idol had more voters. Maybe more votes, but not more people casting them.
Correct. I was stating what they said on AI. My point being that there are probably a lot of young people who will pound their phone for 2 hours a week for weeks on end voting for their favorite(s) but don't have the time or interest to go vote in the elections on things that really matter.
My name is Paula and I approve this message.
Perhaps they should come up with a way to vote via phone, then more people might vote. LOL
Either that, or make the candidates appear on a reality show before the election. Either way...
Originally posted by Paula: Does anyone remember those campaign ads and PSAs we made up for Jon when he was on AI? And who could forget the tongue in cheek "Anti-Diva" campaign ads we made up. lol. OH what fun.
Hmm... that must have been before my time. Sounds funny though.
quote:
Originally posted by luvs2talk20: Either that, or make the candidates appear on a reality show before the election. Either way... [/color]
Why luvvy, that's an EVIL idea. And yet... so very good...
Now Iris just cuz they lack common sense doesn't mean they won't pass a standardized exam...
I try to vote in every election, even the primaries. I feel like it's not only my constitional right as an American, and not only is it my Duty to my Country, but it is the least that I can do for the countless number of people who died to give me that right! Many men and women died fighting for the right to vote knowing that they would never have that right in their lifetime! And to me it is an honor to be able to go to the polls and vote!
I like the reality show/phone voting idea too. lol.
And if the show went on for weeks and they debated the issues and candidates were eleminated one at a time by phone votes, or the lack there of, then maybe more people would be informed on the issues because they watched it on "reality TV". lol.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Paula, that's actually the kind of thing that Idol is based on.
We're supposed to see/hear/read of the candidates' views, then vote in primaries to narrow it down. The problem is, we don't hear everything. For example, Washington Post only publishes information on the Republican and Democrat candidates on their site. Here in Maryland we’ve got a great moderate third party candidate running for Senate, who would actually be in line with most Marylander’s views, including a lot of Republicans and Dems. He’s got the support of the Green Party, Populist Party, and Libertarian Party, and that’s a wide array of viewpoints. He even got into the public debates with the Republican and Democrat candidates… which doesn’t seem like such a feat at first glance, but it’s pretty much a miracle. But the problem is the media doesn’t cover third party candidates unless they’re wacky millionaires or presidential candidates (because running for pres on a third party ticket is ‘wacky’ too). The Washington Post article on the recent debate only mentioned him in passing, halfway through the article. I mean, what is that about?
Maybe what we need, really honestly, is a combination of American Idol and the current election process. lol Put the candidates on TV and then people can vote in several primaries up to the real election.
OR
Use run-off voting in the election. That way you can vote for who you REALLY want to vote for, and if that person loses, then your vote goes to your SECOND choice. That would eliminate the problem of voting for one guy because you're afraid the other guy will win if you don't. We actually have that in my city... because, like, we're not crazy.
I hate election time....the commercials are so negative and mean and ANNOYING!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Iris, I wish the 3rd party candidates could get more press coverage and not be considered the odd ball out, so to speak. Also, the two main parties may never (or a long time coming) allow a woman or person other than a caucasion male to run for President because they are only concerned with their party being elected, not the person. I don't know if that made sense. One of my daugher's friends is grooming herself for politics at a major college and is only 22. Her goal is to run for President some day. And she is serious, not just saying that. In the past, her goals have been achieved so if any woman has a chance, it could be this young lady but it will be a long time from now.
Anyway, I don't care much for politics myself, but I do try to stay informed and vote, and of course I care deeply about our country, our world, the earth, and all people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
I mean, I'm all for heaing about the candidates and where they stand on the issues, but when candidate A tells me why candidate B is a bad choice and visa-versa with out ever talking about what THEY plan to do to change things, it annyos the heck out of me. 
