“The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”
― Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Looking at the big picture, there really isn’t much difference between the parties. When, in an election, it comes down to counting chads to see who should be President, there is no fundamental difference between the two. It’s really a flip of the coin, or an ebb and flow of the publics perception of their government. I use to think it very important to vote…now I’m not so sure if the result of an election will really make difference to my way of life. What I hate most is that the news is no longer reported as news….it is reported as “this is the way you should feel about this”!
I was a “election official” or “precinct officer”… either sounds better than it is….
For about 15 of the 20 years from 1998 to 2007….
most of them as what’s called here a “precinct inspector”… in some states they call it an “election judge.”
All it really means is you’re in charge of a polling place…. so you’re the head clerk, and responsible for equipment, set-up, and assigning duties to the other clerks.
It’s a lot of work…. I had a several hour training class before each election, a car full of ballot boxes and folding booths to transport…
a sixteen hour day on election day, 6am to about 10pm, when the polls are open 13 of those hours.
My precinct was a small one…. three or four clerks besides myself, depending on what sort of election.
We had two precincts in that one building… so yeah, you might see up to ten people, including the other inspector and his/her clerks…. when you’re the only voter at that moment.
My precinct usually only took in between 150 and 200 ballots… 350 was the highest…. counting dropped off Vote-by-Mail ballots.
4 to 5 people for the county to pay… though it’s a stipend, and less than minimum wage.
Hundreds more ballots printed than we need, cos you can’t legally assume less than 100% turnout plus some spoilage.
People to supervise and store the equipment, teach the classes, oversee the precincts, count the ballots… not the votes… that was done electronically…. but all the bits of paper.
Yes, there must be a better way, and I’m sure it’s coming…. maybe via smartphones or computers.
But while we have what we have…. even if only 100 people voted in my precinct that day…
If you don’t vote you have no right to complain. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve listened to complain about some level of government and when asked if they voted will say no, if that’s the case you need to shut up. Hell, I vote just to have the right to complain.
Not sure about other places, but where I live you can opt to vote by mail so there’s no excuse to not vote. Can’t use lines, work, too-far-away as an excuse when you can vote while sitting on your couch. Only thing that exerts energy is to walk to my mailbox to send it back.
Our voting system isn’t very effective either, it needs to be reformed but I can’t fathom how we would make it change since the way it is now benefits those already in office.
Voting is, of course, important, but it’s perhaps even more important to “vote” with one’s wallet. If consumers held companies accountable for their actions (and if there was transparency about their unsavory practices), then about the only business regulations we’d need would be ones to ensure transparency. But far too people care about issues such as inhumane working conditions, environmental degradation, etc., etc. if they result in prices going down by a few percentage points.
I vote we get rid of both parties and start over with two new ones. I got the perfect names for them. The OCP Party and The Skynet Party…because our robot overlords can’t get here fast enough!
wmwiii Premium Member almost 6 years ago
We senior citizens feel the same way about you, Moondog.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member almost 6 years ago
If you don’t vote, you may become a senior citizen standing in a bread line.
serithinflight almost 6 years ago
“The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”
― Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Egrayjames almost 6 years ago
Looking at the big picture, there really isn’t much difference between the parties. When, in an election, it comes down to counting chads to see who should be President, there is no fundamental difference between the two. It’s really a flip of the coin, or an ebb and flow of the publics perception of their government. I use to think it very important to vote…now I’m not so sure if the result of an election will really make difference to my way of life. What I hate most is that the news is no longer reported as news….it is reported as “this is the way you should feel about this”!
nosirrom almost 6 years ago
Sadly the last time I voted (Primary election) there were only 20 people there. 19 of them were poll workers.
SusanSunshine Premium Member almost 6 years ago
I was a “election official” or “precinct officer”… either sounds better than it is….
For about 15 of the 20 years from 1998 to 2007….
most of them as what’s called here a “precinct inspector”… in some states they call it an “election judge.”
All it really means is you’re in charge of a polling place…. so you’re the head clerk, and responsible for equipment, set-up, and assigning duties to the other clerks.
It’s a lot of work…. I had a several hour training class before each election, a car full of ballot boxes and folding booths to transport…
a sixteen hour day on election day, 6am to about 10pm, when the polls are open 13 of those hours.
My precinct was a small one…. three or four clerks besides myself, depending on what sort of election.
We had two precincts in that one building… so yeah, you might see up to ten people, including the other inspector and his/her clerks…. when you’re the only voter at that moment.
My precinct usually only took in between 150 and 200 ballots… 350 was the highest…. counting dropped off Vote-by-Mail ballots.
4 to 5 people for the county to pay… though it’s a stipend, and less than minimum wage.
Hundreds more ballots printed than we need, cos you can’t legally assume less than 100% turnout plus some spoilage.
People to supervise and store the equipment, teach the classes, oversee the precincts, count the ballots… not the votes… that was done electronically…. but all the bits of paper.
Yes, there must be a better way, and I’m sure it’s coming…. maybe via smartphones or computers.
But while we have what we have…. even if only 100 people voted in my precinct that day…
How can you put a dollar value on it?
Every vote is precious… I really believe that.
In some countries people die for it.
So to me, it was worth it.
F-Flash almost 6 years ago
I love the smell of Ben Gay in a crowd.
Spiny Norman Premium Member almost 6 years ago
If you don’t vote you have no right to complain. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve listened to complain about some level of government and when asked if they voted will say no, if that’s the case you need to shut up. Hell, I vote just to have the right to complain.
Nicole ♫ ⊱✿ ◕‿◕✿⊰♫ Premium Member almost 6 years ago
Not sure about other places, but where I live you can opt to vote by mail so there’s no excuse to not vote. Can’t use lines, work, too-far-away as an excuse when you can vote while sitting on your couch. Only thing that exerts energy is to walk to my mailbox to send it back.
yangeldf almost 6 years ago
Our voting system isn’t very effective either, it needs to be reformed but I can’t fathom how we would make it change since the way it is now benefits those already in office.
fishbulb239 almost 6 years ago
Voting is, of course, important, but it’s perhaps even more important to “vote” with one’s wallet. If consumers held companies accountable for their actions (and if there was transparency about their unsavory practices), then about the only business regulations we’d need would be ones to ensure transparency. But far too people care about issues such as inhumane working conditions, environmental degradation, etc., etc. if they result in prices going down by a few percentage points.
namleht almost 6 years ago
I always vote & complain…even when my guy/girl wins
np312 almost 6 years ago
Everyone, please vote in midterm elections!! If you have kids of voting age, bug THEM to vote!
Sisyphos almost 6 years ago
Nice try, Moonie! You’re busted by Dehlia!
Yakety Sax almost 6 years ago
Just my 2 cents worth: http://my.evilmilk.com//p/29b-tjadn_s.jpg
jdsven almost 6 years ago
I vote we get rid of both parties and start over with two new ones. I got the perfect names for them. The OCP Party and The Skynet Party…because our robot overlords can’t get here fast enough!