american politics is a joke

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Wavestar
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 08:15 AM

I'm not even going to begin to get involved int he argument, but GUEST from the begininng, don't think it's any easier watching from a foreign country. If I chewed my nails, they'd be bleeding as I sit at my computer, television, radio, etc, waiting to find out the results of the fiasco / disaster about which I can do precisely NOTHING now.

-Jessica

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,micca at work
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 06:35 AM

Hi, Hammerite, were you voting for Bush in the state of Florida???? ***BG*** with all those "extra" votes thanks to Brother Jeb?

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,hammerite
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 05:29 AM

Hi Hammerite here First its Gore then its Bush I think it is stupid they should do the same as England then it would be easy!

---

Duplicate messages deleted. --JoeClone

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 02:30 AM

I voted for Gore,and I think the Electoral College is a ridiculous manifestation of the paranoid side of the founding fathers...these educated,wealthy and erudite individuals were afraid that Yankee Doodle would elect a Snake Oil Salesman President,and they wanted a way to short circuit the process if the unwashed masses tried to hi-jack the revolution.Well guess what Ben,George and Thom...the Revolution was hijacked a long time ago,the snake oil salesmen are running the whole shooting match including the Electoral College,and its time to dump that constitutional anomalie.

HAVING SAID THAT...if the recount in Florida reaffirms Bush's win,I hope Gore concedes without dragging the election through the courts,which would do much damage to our electoral process.He can work behind the scenes to help implement the Democratic Agenda in the face of a very shaky GWB Presidency. Let's move on.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 02:23 AM

100,000,000 American voters walk into a bar, and ...

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Clifton53
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 02:10 AM

Sorry to see this thread devolve into a pissing match stretching over borders and oceans, and I helped it along I'm afraid, I'd much rather be discussing chord runs and guitar quality, but I get a bit pumped when my country is being run down the sewer pipe.

Fionn, to assume that I am ignorant because I am an American is the utmost insult, but it's just another case of 'America bashing' that we folks here have come to accept. The fact that the U.S. can do no right is pretty much status quo around here. This, and I think history will bear me out, and the fact that our intervention is, and has been sought out to settle the hash of more than one conflagration, unsettles me. To further assume that I could care less what is happening in the world is also ridiculous.

Clifton

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,steve
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 01:50 AM

The situation that exists between the Democrats and Republican is the result of apathy.I would guess about 50 years of it.Apathy breeds duopoly.If these two parties drag this into the courts other parties will benefit,so they're not going to.They're not stupid,just satisfied.The real winners are the other parties,the Greens(myself),the Reform,etc...There's little difference between the two if you look beyond the media.It's all a big song and dance.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: DougR
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 11:38 PM

Ebbie: I have no idea if that policeman is still walking a beat! Maybe he was dropping by for a cup of coffee or something. My point is I think it's foolish to hound either candidate for something they did, or might have done over twenty years ago. Is that clear enough?

Mollificent: There is no evidence that anyone stole any votes in Florida! There is ample evidence that a lot of folks have difficulty following ballot directions though.

DougR

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:50 PM

No, No, No, No, No!

The system worked just fine! You cannot blame the system for the results. You cannot invalidate the system because they each had savvy PR people pushing all the buttons.

You cannot go pointing fingers at old arrest records and associations with philanderers. I recently heard someone run down a whole list of connections between Gore, that Bhuddist Temple, and a Red Chinese General. My informant was convinced of the truth and didn't seem to notice that there is a whole cadre of reporters out there who would love to get their hands on that story and blow it all over the streets.

Face facts. In this country too few people vote. Of that number fewer still bother to educate themselves. They willingly suck at the same teat their forefathers did. Their "knowledge" of the race is fed to them in 30 second sound bytes and negative attack ads between sexy commercials and vapid TV shows. If a few thousand voters in Florida can't be bothered to read their ballots then they deserve the candidate they voted for. I even know one person who voted for Bush without knowing anything about him except that he was not Gore. She hates Gore for only two reasons. She doesn't like the way he looks and sounds!

We are the victims of apathy. I hope this election wakes up some more people and gets them out to vote. I fear even this won't be enough.

I have heard the rumors of lost ballots and voter fraud that are rising out of this foolish mess. Remember there are plenty of media sharks out there looking for a nice juicy story to make their name with. Rely on them to find out the facts and run the story.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:35 PM

The electoral college is a very undemocratic idea...outrageously so, in fact. It should be abolished.

And Rob-o...you said: "that stale old foolish assumption life's better somewhere else. Hey, the international door's open, sport."

Yeah. The door's open all right, but it is NO foolish assumption to think that life may be better somewhere else. Life IS better in a number of ways in a number of other places! I know, I've been there. There is less crime in a lot of other countries, less poverty in more than a few, less violence by both private individuals and government authorities, more medical protection for all citizens, and so on, and so on. Inner cities in the USA are a social catastrophe, an urban nightmare, compared to Canada, for example. This does not mean that if I was an American (I'm not, I'm Canadian), I would therefore be obliged to move out of the USA to one of those other places, for heaven's sake! It means rather that I would be obliged to stay and try to improve things in the country of my birth, recognizing that there are some things of value beyond its borders that are worth learning from!!!

Just because there are also hideous dictatorships out there that are much worse than the USA does not mean that you can just rest on your laurels and imagine that you are living in the "greatest country on earth". You are not, not by a long shot. You've just got more money and more firepower than anyone else on Earth at this point, and that's nothing to be so proud of, frankly. It is precisely what has led you astray.

- LH

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,Lyle
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:33 PM

OK, so we complain that the candidates are less than desirable, less than what we should expect in this country (and I do that to) - BUT - How many of US would bother to run for public office at any level?? No way I would! So maybe we're getting just what we ask for.

Lyle

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: MiriamKilmer
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:39 PM

If you haven't been following the "WINNER" thread, which is basically the same conversation that's goin on here, please read this urgent message: Re-vote in Palm Beach County

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:24 PM

We have had the Electoral College system for 200+ years, and it hasn't made sense since about the Civil War (which was when the real power in the country shifted from the State governments to the Federal).

It's amusing to see how many people are just beginning to notice that it doesn't make sense.

It won't be changed, though. Anything that helps the Demicans and Republicrats keep the process all to themselves, and keep the common people out of it, will be defended at all costs.

Peter.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:23 PM

QUOTE: Ebbie: so it's fair game to trash Bush for something that happend to him 24 years ago, but bad sport to point out an indisgretion by Gore some 30 years ago? How can that be justified?

Troll, your statement's unfair, in my opinion. Are you passing off as truth the link you sent us to which says that the "arresting officers", more than 30 years ago can answer the questions about that night "when they get back into the office"? Stay reasonable, please. (Ebbie statement)

DougR, I was trying not to belabor the obvious. Evidently, I needed to be more obvious for some people. My point: The link to which Troll directed us claimed that an unnamed source gave the story and that the police station spokesperson said that the arresting officer could answer any questions after he came in. This is supposed to have happened in the late 60's: Do you really believe, DougR, that that officer is still walking the beat after 30-plus years?.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: harpmolly
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:58 PM

DougR:

Um, pardon me, but if there's the possibility that Gore DID originally have a significantly larger number of votes, and that his numbers were substantially reduced by faulty procedures or confusion (or even intimidation, as Rev. Jackson is claiming, though I have no educated opinion on that), I'd hardly call it "sour grapes". If I'd fought as long and as hard for something as these candidates have, I'd certainly want to be absolutely damned sure the results were solid and unquestionable before I "graciously conceded" the victory.

When it comes down to less than a thousand votes' difference, and yet there's the possibility (however remote) that tens of thousands of votes were thrown out that might have turned the tables, I can't see how it's "sour grapes" to pursue the truth.

Unfortunately, it looks as though the law won't allow a re-vote. Personally, way up here in Oregon (admittedly now possibly the LEAST important state--so much for our hubris ;)), I'm furious. As Guest did point out (albeit with a grammatical flair reminiscent of Shrub himself), the popular vote was won by Gore, by a good two hundred thousand votes. Yet, less than eight hundred votes in one state (at last count) are determining the outcome.

Pass me that fruit bowl, please.

Mollificent

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:40 PM

This recount was dictated by Florida law..dont blame it on "sour grapes" lets keep our perspective here. Back in 1988, I did not like my partys candidate, and I went to the state convention as a Jesse Jackson delegate. Of course he lost, but, at least I was involved. You folks who sit on your hands until it is a choice among two or three candidates are almost as bad as those who dont vote at all.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: DougR
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:26 PM

Well said, Bart. I agree with you.

Ebbie: so it's fair game to trash Bush for something that happend to him 24 years ago, but bad sport to point out an indisgretion by Gore some 30 years ago? How can that be justified?

Yes, Alex, and if the recount in Florida shows Bush the winner, I assume you will recognize that Bush will be the president elect, right?

I think the democrats are just finding it too hard to accept that their man may have lost. I guess it could be called "sour grapes."

DougR

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:21 PM

My prediction: two weeks from now the American Presidency will be decided by how those anti-communist porpoises who kept little Elian afloat, voted. Damn, they probably DID vote for Buchannan!

I'm not normally someone who's fascinated by train-wrecks, but this has kept me rivetted. Both sides are digging their heels in, and bringing out the heavy artillery. If I hear one more upper-echelon creep piously say what "The American People" want, I'll throw up!

Rick (nosy furriner)

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:42 PM

May I expound further on an idea I hinted at earlier? Other people have hinted at it too. I mean the analogy between grammar and politics.

Both have rules. Some people don't bother learning the rules. They complain that the rules are too arbitrary and restrictive, and that they don't allow people to express themselves. They express themselves loudly anyway, in an incoherent way, once every four years or so, and then they whine that no one listens.

Guest's first post above illustrates this point of view, both grammatically and politically.

The fact is, the rules exist to help you express yourself more clearly. If you take the trouble to learn them, and use them, you will find that more people will listen to you and understand you, and you won't have to feel so powerless.

There is a venerable old institution in Minnesota that is dying of apathy. It's called the precinct caucus. Any qualified voter can go to a precinct caucus. (Even people ineligible to vote, such as kids, can go as observers.) When you go to a precinct caucus, you get to vote for delegates to the state legislative district convention. You probably can be a delegate yourself, since so few people show up nowadays that the number of delegates your precinct is eligible to elect sometimes exceeds the number of volunteers.

If you go to the legislative district convention, you get to vote on who will be your party's endorsed candidate for the legislature. You will probably even get to meet him or her, and ask questions, if you want. You can meet and talk to other people who take politics seriously, and who have devoted considerable time to thinking through the issues. You also will get to vote for delegates to the county convention, and so on up the hierarchy to the congressional district convention, the state convention, and the national party convention. You might even get to be a delegate yourself, if you can persuade enough of your peers to vote for you. You can also propose motions, even motions that would change the rules. You can speak on behalf of your proposed change, and your fellow delegates will vote on it. If it passes, it will get passed up the line to the next level convention, where they will vote on it too.

In short, there is as much democracy as anyone could want.

But the system is dying mainly because of primary elections. Primary elections encourage apathy.

Long ago, as I understand, the caucus and convention system was the ONLY thing that determined whose names would be on the ballot at the general election. Then someone invented the primary. At first, the person who won the party's endorsement at the convention nearly always went on to win the primary. That's because people generally trusted their parties, and voted for the candidate their party endorsed. But once in a while there would be an upset.

Then people began to think, why bother participate in precinct caucuses and conventions, if the decisions we make there can be overridden at the primary? And as participation declined, they began to think, why should I trust my party to endorse the right person? Why don't I just vote for the guy who looks best on television? That meant that would-be candidates had to raise money to buy time on TV, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Back in my anti-war days, when I first got interested in politics, and started attending precinct caucuses, and tried to persuade my friends to do the same, the objection I heard most often was that "they got so dang many RULES."

Here's my take on it: The main advantage that democracy has over other systems, is that when things go wrong, a maximum number of people have to admit - or ought to admit - that they have only themselves to blame.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Robo
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:35 PM

Kendall, I rooted for Bradley, too. I feel your pain, man!

Troll . . . give us all a bloody brass break, please.

And Fionn . . . Balderdash, as my grandmother would have said with a wave of her crutch. So, "a mere 13 percent have passports" here, is it. Well, well, well, doesn't that make you special. And how FULL, of yourself, does that sound? Or, maybe you're just lucky enough to live in a place where you can cross the street or ford a stream and be in another country.

Rob-o

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:24 PM

In the meantime you might ponder how a tiny population like Austria's can turn up a leader with demonstrably stronger mix of personality,intellect and ability than either Bush or Gore. But of course most Americans will never know who's chancellor in Austria, nor even know where Austria is.Oh, yes, Fionn, we do remember Hitler.

Troll, your statement's unfair, in my opinion. Are you passing off as truth the link you sent us to which says that the "arresting officers", more than 30 years ago can answer the questions about that night "when they get back into the office"? Stay reasonable, please.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:18 PM

Troll...do you really believe that Gore has a police record and the republicans have not used it against him? This is the first I've heard of it.And as to the second part of your post..Kennedy was not running for president. Back when he did, his record killed his chances. I say again..I was a Bradley supporter. They are all a bunch of power hungry sleezeballs

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Tinker
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:58 PM

Art-- I'm enjoying the chaos. All the experts, all the statitians, all the spin doctors, they all spent Tuesday night as wrapped up in the chaos factors as the rest of us.

The patterns and predictions just wouldn't work. I find that a good thing. It's a time of change;although, I feel the vote reflects a longing for simplicity with an anti-intellectual bite that scares me.It has remained a non-violent and ironic political scene.

After all it's a Daly out there demanding a judious recount,Elderly Jewish voters ending up strong for Bucannan? When the comic (meant to say cosmic but comic works too) winds send this much upheavel, lets hope we can constructively find a good path up and out. There is definately energy out there to work with right now. The question is where do we want to go?

Tinker

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:33 PM

Clifton, surprising as this may seem to some in America, where a mere 13 per cent of people have passports, some people take an interest in politics all over the world. Or some, like me, are selective (in my case UK, Irish, African and American politics in that order). And anyone who is not interested in who's in the White House and in who runs Congress, ought to be, if only on account of the disgusting rate at which America is chewing through the world's finite resources.

Apart from which, who wouldn't be fascinated by a system that could produce a president who works nine to five, takes two hours out of that for "private time" and another 90 minutes of it for "playing a little solitaire on the computer." (I'm quoting BUSH aides talking about Bush!).

And do those who believe the American system is best because Idi Amin, Pol Pot or Hitler would be worse, realise how hollow they sound? If your confidence ebbs away much further, Peter T, you'll have to try whistling. In the meantime you might ponder how a tiny population like Austria's can turn up a leader with demonstrably stronger mix of personality,intellect and ability than either Bush or Gore. But of course most Americans will never know who's chancellor in Austria, nor even know where Austria is.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Harold W
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:24 PM

Something to consider, especially to our European 'catters, if you had to choose somebody to head the executive body of a European Union, would you rather choose by popular vote or by country?

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Bert
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:59 PM

Funny you should say that Art. I just sent this...

I think with all of the irregularities in various states that we should declare the election null and void and do it again properly with some other country supervising the process...

in a PM to Katlaughing this morning.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:49 PM

I just sent an e-mail to several people saying that Kosovo ought to introduce a resolution at the U.N. in hopes of sending Haitian peacekeepers to the U.S. to insure a fair recount in Florida.

And wouldn't it be amazing if Elian's Miami relatives were the deciding votes--the difference between the dos candidates.

This world is a gas--an amazing panorama that never ceases to amaze and thrill me. It's rather fun to see chaos rear it's hoary head and toss a screwdriver into the gears once in a while. Or is it just me???

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Troll
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:47 PM

According to news reports from Tenn. Gore has two arrests(NOT tickets, arrests) for speeding; one in a chase trying to escape the police.
What's even more interesting is that the Deomcratic party has made a political icon of a man who got drunk, ran his car into the water, left the scene of the accident, did not report it for hours thereby insuring the death of the passenger in the car, bribed or threatened the parents of the victim tom refuse an autopsy and got off scott free.
The man? The senior Senator from Massachusetts, Edward Kennedy. The Victim? Mary Jo Kopchne.
At the Deomcratic convention they had Kennedy Night where the Senator and his family were lionized.
And then the Democrats have the BRASS BOUND BALLS to condemn Bush for a DUI arrest.
That is so hypocritical as to beggar belief.

troll

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Gary T
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:31 PM

Although it's interesting to tabulate the national total popular vote, the U.S. president is elected by the states' electors, not directly by the citizens. Those who object to that are welcome to work at a constitutional amendment to change it, but in the meantime please refrain from statements such as "AND HE LOST THE DAMNED ELECTION BY 200,000 Votes", which are simply not true under our system.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:29 PM

As I said, I was a Bradley supporter. Allegations are one thing, actually being arrested and convicted is another. Bush and Cheney have 5 of those between them. Neither could qualify for a Civil service job.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: okthen
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:28 PM

some of us (non US citizens) do take your election seriously, as it may well affect our situation. some of us would like your voting system.

we UK citizens have only just had our human rights enshrined in law, some things you may take for granted are envied by others.

you have the right to rip the p*ss out of your country, but it's a "let them eat cake" situation to others.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:18 PM

Eilean McGann (Canadian) said it best, "I think we're all too stupid for democracy..." I wish I knew the rest of the words. I should post them later if I can find them and the time.

I have to agree that the current situation is hilarious. I have no problem with who wins as long as the winners and losers get the message that the voters are having a problem with seeing the difference between the candidates.

Consider this. Each candidate hires a team of experts to package him to fit a certain set of criteria. He doesn't stray from that packaging. As a result they appeal to those voters who meet the advertising agency's marketing analysis. In this case they each appealed to the same number of voters. No big deal.

As a further consideration bear in mind that the fancy promises made by each candidate would have to be passed by Congress. If elected Bush will have no trouble from a Republican house but the Senate will cause him no end of headaches. Gore, if elected, will not be able to do anything for the next four years because Congress will shut him out. These scenarios apply to pretty much everything so, as I see it, we are safe. Nothing will get done in Washington. We have the best of both worlds.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:50 PM

I don't think Guest is trying to flame - he/she is voicing some of the outrage that many Americans are feeling. And if you eliminate the Bush allusions or change them to Gore allusions (and there are probably enough out there to do it) if you prefer, there is a lot to what the Guest says. And a yelp of pain shouldn't be discounted because it wasn't spell checked.

But I don't think it's a joke. It's the way this system has worked for over 200 years. And, on the whole, we're doing pretty well (although some of us could do a lot better). As far as I can see this election is in the books for GWB. And crying about it, or yelling for "recounts" won't really change anything. You'll win some here and lose some there and in the end stay the same. Would it be worth going through the process? Maybe, maybe not. It will cost a lot of dough and take a lot of time. Back in 1960, when Chicago gave the election to Kennedy, Nixon said "let's move on". He came back to win it eight years later. There's a lesson in that.

If you don't like the system, if you don't like the candidates, if you don't like the way things are going DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Don't go back into your cave and pop your head out in two years to complain about your Senate choice. Democracy goes on every day, not just election day. Exercise your rights and do your duty as a citizen every f*cking day. Big ways and little ways. Don't just joke or complain about Bush's OUI over too many cocktails before you drive home. Don't condemn Clinton and then tell some sexist joke at work. Make sure what you do helps to make things better.

There is plenty to laugh (or cry)about in this country and its system, but the system itself is NOT a joke. It's the system in this country that let's you laugh at Bubba (or Dubya) without getting locked up, or beaten up or even told to shut up. The system guarantees it. And that's some serious shit.

Bart
Who's proud to be an American in spite of our all-too-human foibles

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: MK
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:55 PM

Gore and Bush were in a restaurant ordering brunch. The waitress asks Gore what he would like to order. After looking at the menu, Al says "I would like some Eggs Benedict."

Waitress says "Fine, and what will you have Gov. Bush?"

Perusing the menu, George says "Well, I think I'd like to have a quickie."

Taken aback, the waitress responds "Why Gov. Bush, that's awful, and you're not even President yet!"

Then Gore leans over and whispers into Bush's ear..............

"George, that's pronounced 'quiche' "

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Clifton53
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:47 PM

Never fails to astound me, the interest of other countries in our politics. Perhaps we need to junk the system and start over, then the strongest could assume power and put an end to this nonsensical free election we insist on having.

I'm kind of tired of hearing about what some Arab or Frenchman or African etc THINKS about this country. Everything changes when the call comes for military intervention to save someone from tyranny.

Let 'em laugh, if they are free to do so.

Clifton

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Robo
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:41 PM

That's the best joke I've heard today -- other than Gdub demanding a refill!

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Troll
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:26 PM

Kendall, it may also be construed that 50 million saw through Gore what with the Chinese financing the 1996 campaign in return for missle technology and Gore making a deal with Russia to turn a blind eye to their sales of arms and technology to Iran.He also said he'ed keep it from congress and the (in)justice dept has aided the White House in refusing to turn over the letters involved to the committee .
Bush may be a lightweight, but he,s better than "the next best thing to a Clinton third term."

troll

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:24 PM

I could guess who wrote that, but I won't. I pretty much agree anyway. I keep trying to convince people in other countries that US citizens aren't as stupid as they appear in our TV shows. Yeeesh, what a setback.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: mousethief
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:20 PM

If not for the electoral college, Gore would be president-elect and the whole mess would be over.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Allan C.
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:08 PM

Yes, Homeless, but that option never seems to be availiable wherever I am at voting time. I have to say that I am somewhat amazed that the option ever became allowed in the few places it is found. Recon the odds of NOTA ever being on a presidential election ballot nationwide!

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:08 PM

Bottom line..failure to get involved at the grass roots level.I was a Bradley supporter, but, there wern't enough of us, thats all.It's sad to know that there are 50 million people who didn't see through this guy. I knew he had been arrested three times,and, that Cheney had been busted twice, but, I get the feeling that not enough of us knew, or, the knee jerk reaction against Clintor was so strong that it didn't matter. I predict that this intellectual lightweight will be a puppet for the right wing wackos.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:07 PM

Well, I for one find American politics hilarious, but I remain grateful that it is a messed up democracy with all its flaws and not a smoothly run dictatorship (or even a badly run dictatorship). I have spent time in dictatorships -- some supported by America, stupidly enough -- and American politics may be a joke, but the other variety is bitter, and sad, and inhumane , and viciously soul-destroying. An elected George W. Bush is one million million million times better than any of the spawn of those monsters.

yours, Peter T.

(an anti-Yankee, left-wing 3rd Party Canadian!!)

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Robo
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:05 PM

Shoo fly, don't bother me.

No one needs to be reminded how silly this makes the system look. I noted in another thread that if folks didn't bother to vote this time around we'd really risk getting burned. What bother's me most about his/her post, other than the GUEST bit, is that stale old foolish assumption life's better somewhere else. Hey, the international door's open, sport.

Rob-o

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Homeless
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 11:57 AM

Allan - some places they have that at a local level. It's called NOTA - None Of The Above. If NOTA wins the election then they have to rehold the election and neither of the candidates are allowed to run again.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Allan C.
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 11:49 AM

I want the option of telling the parties: Is this the best you can do? I want to be able to tell them to dump the candidates they have offered and to go back and find someone more worthy of even so much as running for the office. I also want the option of telling them this as often as necessary until they get it right.

So far I have not found an effective way to do that.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Troll
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 11:48 AM

It is my impression that Guest -the initial poster- does not care for George W. Bush. This is, of course, his/her right.
It would have been refreshing, however, to have had a bit more corroboration of facts and a little less mouth-foaming diatribe.It's difficult to respond to rational arguments when they don't appear to exist.
This is a personal opinion -of course- and as such is no more, or less, valid than any other.
Jim Dixon. Based on what I've read, recounts nationwide might not be such a bad idea.

troll

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 11:34 AM

Yeah, and the rules of grammar and punctuation are jokes, too. Too bad I wasted so much time learning them. If I had spent more time studying politics instead, I might feel empowered, like GUEST.

All seriousness aside (as Steverino used to say), may I point out one thing? If it weren't for the electoral college, we'd be having a recounts ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, not just in Florida.

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 11:32 AM

Guest,

You'd have more credibility if you had a grip on your grammar, spelling, & temper & if you had posted under your real name. Acting as you have certainly doesn't help with the problem.

best to all,

bbc--still rational in New York, no matter who wins

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: GUEST,micca at work
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:10 AM

The trouble with Political Jokes is they get elected... I am with Avrell Harriman on this "The desire to be elected to office should make you ineligible to stand"

Subject: RE: american politics is a joke
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:28 AM

If American politics is a joke, how come I'm not laughing?