Party affiliations

[Bondo]

Jeb, the only time I've ever been asked to register to vote was when I got my license at 18 at which point I was in a hurry due to the DMV being slow as usual and having to get back to class (I was doing it during lunch).  I could register by calling someone or other and doing something, but I figure it will be easiest to go do it at the DMV when I get my next license.

Also, I think I remember my bullets giving you headaches on a consistent basis, and me having a better score than you in the game we played  

[*DAMN Silent Killer]

Im a green party guy republicans are for the higher income people democrats are douchebags


and green party is for the low income not rich bitches

vote green party

[Cossack]

Because I am a dual citizen I am also affiliated with two parties in two nations. In Russia I side with the current President on many issues and I am largy a reformist. Reformist party is the party that Putin belongs to.
In the United States I identify with the Democratic party more. I cringe at saying Democratic party because I view them as corrup oligarchs just as I do Republicans. I havent seen a good democratic canidate in since Clinton (I liked Clinton alot). I am registered to vote In both Russia and America. I have already voted for a govornor in St.Petersburg, Russia , and I am going to vote for Ron Kirk in Texas for senator. The Gubenetorials in Texas suck. It is a choice between Prick Perry and Tony Suckchez. They are both corrupt sleeze bags in my opinion.

[Ace]

Heh, the governor race here isn't too pretty either. On one hand you have Grey Davis who does great things for education but that's about it. He is a complete and utter moron when it comes to the economy and problem solving. On the other hand there is Simon who would be very good for the economy, but I don't think he will focus on education enough. Then again, with Davis' vaunted war chest and Simon's relative lack of funds, the fight is incredibly unfair to start with.

[|MP|Buccaneer]

On the other hand I'm not registered to vote yet, mainly because Colorado, and Colorado Springs in particular are not exceptionally interesting places where the green party will win (Boulder aside).  I'll register before the 2004 election though...but I'm hoping to be employed in a different country and at some point change my citizenship, assuming things work out.

 Will we be as rich a country...no, but we will be healthier and happier.

I just love people that rag on our government, but don't take their own actions and responsiblities in it.  Since less then half the population actually vote in most elections, just think what could happen if you got all the people that are "greenests" or whatever together, and all went to vote instead of feeling sorry for yourselves and saying that nothing can change.  Gee, you could actually win.  

I'll ask again, if those countries are so much happier, then why is the suicide rate so much higher in most of them?  YOU may be happier over there Bondo, but why make that kind of general statement for the rest of your country?  If I would be happier over there, I'd be over there.  If I would be as happy in Canada as in the US, I would have stayed in Canada.  People come to America every year.  Even people from those countries.  Why?

For myself, I'm a complete indy.  I vote only on the issues.  I've voted for Reformests, Greenests, Libertarians, Democrats and Republicans.  Most of my votes in the past few years have been for Reformests and Libertarians.

[Bondo]

But my voting won't get the other half of the country to vote.  And even if I was able to vote someone I liked into office, it probably wouldn't do any good because the stupid separation of powers prevent any real changes to happen.

As for my saying the quality of life is better, I choose not to doubt the UN and WHO who have released a variety of statistics showing that life in the US isn't as good.  Of course you wouldn't know what the life of the AVERAGE American is, you aren't one of them, neither am I.  Maybe YOUR life is better than it would be in Canada or Europe, but the life of the average american isn't comparitively.

[|MP|Buccaneer]

Bondo, you said happier and healthier (read your own quote).  Which is what I am calling BULLSHIT on.  If they are happy, why do they off themselves so much (more suicides in some of them per capita then the USA had homicides).  And if they are healthier, why do they come here for medical treatment so often?

Socalized medacine has it's issues.  I'm not all for it or all against it.  It's nice that everyone gets treatment, equal treatment.  But it's also nice that we have all the good equiptment, in almost every hospital.  We have medical breakthroughs and technology here, because of the "for profit" status that doesn't happen nearly as much in socalized situations.  Also, and no offense intended, but it is true, when has Canadian or European dentestry come close to American?  They need to work out those issues before I support it.

And Bondo, if you read my post, I said if all the greeners did.  Also, there were so many elections around the country last year that every vote mattered (automatic recounts, and not just for President).  

As for "stupid seperation of powers".  STUPID?  (I can't go on, I will just have to insult him).  OK, I really, really, really have to know.  What are you doing in the USA Bondo?  You are 19 and seem to think that this is one of the worst places on earth.  Why are you still here?  What's stopping you??  19 is the perfect age to make that kind of move (anywhere from 18-20 is).  Education VISA's are the ticket.  What are you waiting for???

[Ace]

But my voting won't get the other half of the country to vote.  And even if I was able to vote someone I liked into office, it probably wouldn't do any good because the stupid separation of powers prevent any real changes to happen.

That is the exact attitude that almost everyone who doesn't vote takes. "My vote won't do anything" or "It's just one vote". I don't have any figures off the top of my head, but unless Florida is far different from the norm, I bet they weren't even close to a 50% turnout in the 2000 election. Don't you think everyone down there who didn't vote was kicking themselves when they realized that every vote counts?

The fact remains that unless you at least try to make yourself heard in our system of government (read: vote), you have no right whatsoever to comment or criticize the powers that be.

[cookie]

i agree with bucc, i vote on this issues. even though i cant vote yet   and as for clinton, i hate that bastard. I view him as the reason that this Iraq crap got out of hand, considering the way he let saddamn go unchecked for so many years. he basically ignored his post-gulf war duties in the middle east and now i truly feel for bush having to pick up the slack. I also hate him for playing the public for fools and this post is to be continued...

[Bondo]

Well, I shouldn't really have to register to vote, it is a flaw in the system...I should be able to go into the voting place and vote with nothing more than my driver's license.  They are actually working on things of this sort to try and help turnout.  So if I was going to whine about my constitutional rights, I'd be complaining that they won't let me vote if I went in to do so on election day.

And Ace, last time I checked, it is my constitutional right to comment and critisize on the goverment as well.

Bucc, I'm not opposed to having private practices in addition to the nationalized health.  If the people who have the money to go to a private practice want to do so, so be it, but we should at least let everyone have a basic level of health care.  Oh, and that thing about British people having horrible teeth is a myth aided by Austin Powers, it isn't the truth.  I do happen to know a number of people who are British btw.

Also, suicide has more causes than being unhappy.  It isn't a proof that they are less happy.

[|MP|Buccaneer]

Well, I shouldn't really have to register to vote, it is a flaw in the system...I should be able to go into the voting place and vote with nothing more than my driver's license.  They are actually working on things of this sort to try and help turnout.  So if I was going to whine about my constitutional rights, I'd be complaining that they won't let me vote if I went in to do so on election day.

And it wouldn't get you very far at all.  Those laws are there to prevent election fraud.  We've learned lessons from past elections, and that's why you have to register, why you can only register (and vote in) one party primary, and why you have to register so many days before an election.  All were holes that were plugged to stop election fraud.

Bucc, I'm not opposed to having private practices in addition to the nationalized health.  If the people who have the money to go to a private practice want to do so, so be it, but we should at least let everyone have a basic level of health care.  

That's what we have now.  The poor all have medicare (and various forms of wellfare), so they all have a "basic" level of healther care.  If you want to raise that level, say that.  If it's socalized, you can't really have private, can you?  They are exclusive.  And if it's socalized, there's that problem with medical research funding.

Oh, and that thing about British people having horrible teeth is a myth aided by Austin Powers, it isn't the truth.  I do happen to know a number of people who are British btw.

I spent 6 months traveling around Europe.  I didn't say that they had teeth like Austin Powers.  But they still use mercury filled fillings, silver fillings, and stainless steel fillings over there (I had a ceramic filling 20 years ago here).  They also don't use floride in most of the water, so they tend to have worse teeth overall (the floride in the city water here is a big deal it seems).  Since I saw a dentist while I was in England, and his office looked like one of ours from 30 years ago, I'll maintain my judgement that the USA's dentestry is still better until I see something that says otherwise.

Also, suicide has more causes than being unhappy.  It isn't a proof that they are less happy.

Isn't that what it really boils down to?  You were depressed (on the far end of the scale from happy).  And, the point still stands.  You can't tell us we'd be happier or healthier.  You like it better, that's your opinion.  I don't think that most of America would be happier or healthier over there.  How many people flock to northwest europe compared to America every year Bondo?  Why?

[tasty]

I agree completely with everyone dissing on Bondo here. When he said that the US system isn't set up for instilling radical change, that isn't true. It's set up for whatever the people vote for??and there is never, ever going to be radical change if you don't vote. I get very frustrated with people that don't vote, especially in our age category Bondo? its no wonder you are represented by a plutocratic government. If I could only support one thing, and never argue for any other thing, I would choose to support getting out the vote. If everyone voted, democracy would work (it doesn't now) and the rest would come later.

[cookie]

continuing...
I think clinton was ONE of the worst people ever to be elected president. while i acknowledge he was a good speaker and wasn't always a complete waste he is the embodiment of all that is wrong with politics. Lying, cheating, stealing, pretending, fabricating.. the list could go on. So many people, especially the media, have made him out to be some awesome president but i maintain that once you look at the facts and form a conclusion from them he isn't all he's cracked up to be. I hate his wife even more, on a side note.
my thoughts on bush:
im really tired of all these angsty militant teens ranting about how much bush sucks and how he's an awful president. when i ask them why they think so, out of curiosity, the only answer i have EVER gotten is 1) he's stupid 2) he looks like a monkey 3) he doesnt speak "good" 4) he's a war monger. When I ask them to explain their point they can go no further. Why is this? the media, pop culture, so many other things.. have been brainwashing youth and even adults. While i don't always back bush i think it's frustrating how the youth of today seem to have become such sheep. I think society needs to start forming their own opinions and taking facts into account, interpreting them as they will. The anti-bush sentiment is a perfect example of how single minded and conformist our society can be. I myself believe that there IS something wrong with the way our goverment works but i don't blame it all on the president, i try to see the greater picture.


and bondo, there are so many things i wish to say but for fear of destroying our lovely friendship, i digress  

[alaric]

I would like to echo bucc and ace's statements about how important it is to vote. Voting is what this country is all about, millions of Americans have died fighting for that sacred right and you, bondo, have the callousness to say their deaths don't matter? To me, voting is a way of saying "Thanks" to all those who have sacraficed over the years to ensure my right to vote. Anyone who is 18 and doesn't vote in this country deserves to have the label "sheep" tattoed on their forehead because that's all they are, someone who follows without even trying to make a difference.

As for the Clinton thing, I don't presume to judge how good a job he did. I don't know the first thing about running a country, I also don't have 1% of the information that US presidents have to weigh to make decisions. I only have horribly biased media sources from which to judge decisions of the president. As a person, he was kinda sleezy, but then again, so are most American males (ahem jeb).

[(SiX)Ben]

Note: ALWAYS VOTE! It makes a difference... oh such a difference...

Ben

[Cossack]

I just wish their was a new revolutionary leader. I think Clinton did good for the country, and he was a very good president in a domestic sense. I wish a new FDR or LBJ wold come around. I dont think many Republicans are happy either. Many of the Republicans I hear wish for someone like Nixon or Eisenhower. Nixon was corrupt but he did wonders for forign policy in the US. many people would like a return to Reaganism ( I would absolutley hate that because Regan emdies the definition of evil to me) Clinton and the two Bushs represent a stale mediocrity in the quality of America's leadership.

[alaric]

I agree totally with you there, cossack. We haven't had a good president in this country in 50 years. I'm partial to teddy and FDR myself. They did what they had to do for the country, not for themselves.

[|MP|Buccaneer]

Actually, Ford was a good president, for the short time he was there.  He didn't stand a chance for re-election after Nixon though.

Carter was also a very good president.  The Iran hostage crisis hurt him, and hurt him bad.  But in every other way, he did many, many good things.  He just won the Nobel Prize for some of those things.

Cookie, I could give you a list about the things I hate about Bush, but it can just start with oil drilling and go to cow towing to big business.  We can start that up in another thread if you like.  

BTW, still waiting to hear why Bondo stays in America.  I really want to know.

[cookie]

Cookie, I could give you a list about the things I hate about Bush, but it can just start with oil drilling and go to cow towing to big business.  We can start that up in another thread if you like.  

i never said people didnt have legit. reasons for disliking him.. hell, i have my own. im talking about the most generic and overused responses. and yes, i dislike him for proposing ANWR but as for him kowtowing to big buisness, my response is what candidate hasn't in recent years? and even then.. as far as i know Bush is a moderately honest man even if he does favor corporations from time to time. I've never seen any impartial accredited evidence that conclusively states that Bush caters to big buisness; and i assure you, if it existed, it's likely i would have come across it. I spend many weekends engaged in policy debate and i've argued on both sides of the spectrum but never once have i seen any considerable evidence stating GWB is absolutely partial to big buisness. However, i respect your belief as i did before allude to my belief that truth is relative and one must define things for themself. This is just my two cents.

[|MP|Buccaneer]

i never said people didnt have legit. reasons for disliking him.. hell, i have my own. im talking about the most generic and overused responses.

LOL, sorry Cookie.  I jumped too hard on that one.  Yes, I can completely agree with you on the poeple around here that have no basis for their opinions, other then that sort of complete nonsense.

but as for him kowtowing to big buisness, my response is what candidate hasn't in recent years? and even then.. as far as i know Bush is a moderately honest man even if he does favor corporations from time to time. I've never seen any impartial accredited evidence that conclusively states that Bush caters to big buisness; and i assure you, if it existed, it's likely i would have come across it. I spend many weekends engaged in policy debate and i've argued on both sides of the spectrum but never once have i seen any considerable evidence stating GWB is absolutely partial to big buisness. However, i respect your belief as i did before allude to my belief that truth is relative and one must define things for themself. This is just my two cents.

Just to end this one up.  In recent years, Carter would come the closest.  But even then, he wasn't a saint.  More recent then that, it would be an insult to even consider a name.

As for your research, does that go back to when he was Governer GWB, or just in his current office?  Because the one thing he proved to me when he was still just in charge of Texas (which is funny, because the Governer of Texas has the fewest powers of all the governers from what I've read) he managed to fuck up the ecology in the name of the oil biz down there in some of the few things he could effect.  In his current office, no, except for what he's doing for oil, I haven't seen much.  But everything about him has been focused on 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq, that nobody is talking about the economy or anything else.  So it's hard to judge.  I know one thing for sure.  While he has popular support for his response and actions to 9/11, his domestic policy hasn't really done anything.  Which, is pretty typical of Republicans (for those that are reading this saying WTF, Republicans are known for good forign relations and lousey domestic, while Democrats are know for good domestic policies and shitty internationally.  It's not a rule, but it is a trend.)