Why would we want people to vote...

[JohnStOnge]

When they're not engaged enough to do it on their own initiative?

Seriously. To me the ideal situation would be one in which there is no "get out the vote" effort by either "side" or by non partisans. Let people o care enough to pay attention to what's going on and vote without having to be "encouraged" to do so vote.

To me we'd have a better system if that were the situation.

[SuperHornet]

I just saw an article today which quoted Nancy Pelosi as saying that Democrats failing to go to the polls is actually VOTER SUPPRESSION.

Say what?!?

[Pwns]

The idea that simply having more people voting will improve government is comical.
I know that sounds elitist, but it isn't really. Have some basic civic awareness and awareness of issues or sit your arse at home on election night. You don't have to be a genius, just don't be clueless.

[houndawg]

Hold elections on Veterans Day. Everybody is off work, its within a week of when we vote now, and even a halfwit like Baldy would get the connection between veterans and voting.

[Cap'n Cat]

Hold elections on Veterans Day. Everybody is off work, its within a week of when we vote now, and even a halfwit like Baldy would get the connection between veterans and voting.

[andy7171]

Who gets Veterans Day off?

[CAA Flagship]

Who gets Veterans Day off?

Retired Veterans.

[kalm]

Who gets Veterans Day off?

Schools, banks.

[Ivytalk]

Who gets Veterans Day off?

Schools, banks, Lloyd Blankfein.

FIFY.

Seriously, Ruth Marcus, a Washington Post columnist -- obviously anticipating big Donk losses last week -- submitted a column advocating the adoption by Congress of an Australian-style statute that requires people to vote in federal elections, with fines for those who don't show up. Apart from the serious "voter ID"/surveillance issues that such a statute raises, it's a foolish idea on its merits.

[JohnStOnge]

If it were up to me there would be a poll test. I think for the most part Federal and State governments are structured along similar lines so I'd have questions like:

What are the three branches of government?

Correct answer: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary.

What are the responsibilities of the three branches?

Correct answer: Legislature makes laws. Executive implements laws. Judiciary interprets laws.

So on and so forth. Do it in multiple choice form but do it.

To me we'd be much better off if we did that.

But the Democratic Party wouldn't be.

Anyway, if you can't answer the two questions I proposed you shouldn't be able to vote. You really shouldn't.

[kalm]

If it were up to me there would be a poll test. I think for the most part Federal and State governments are structured along similar lines so I'd have questions like:

What are the three branches of government?

Correct answer: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary.

What are the responsibilities of the three branches?

Correct answer: Legislature makes laws. Executive implements laws. Judiciary interprets laws.

So on and so forth. Do it in multiple choice form but do it.

To me we'd be much better off if we did that.

But the Democratic Party wouldn't be.

Anyway, if you can't answer the two questions I proposed you shouldn't be able to vote. You really shouldn't.

Judiciary interprets laws...

[houndawg]

Honestly, John, you're such a drama queen....

[JohnStOnge]

Judiciary interprets laws...

That's the way it's supposed to be. I'll admit that's not how it is. But that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be.

And maybe if only people who understood that voted we'd have a better situation.

[JohnStOnge]

Honestly, John, you're such a drama queen....

Not drama. We really do need to exclude the chaff from voting. We need to stop this crap where one particular political party goes out and stirs the Zombie Vote composed of people who don't know what the hell is going on or how our system is supposed to work because they know the overwhelming majority of those people are going to vote for them because that's just what they do.

Call if "voter suppression" if you want. That sounds good. But what I'm talking about is making sure people who have NO clue as to how our system is supposed to work and have NO idea as to what's going on around them don't vote. That would not be a bad thing at ALL.

Except it'd be bad for the Democratic Party. And that's the rub.

[kalm]

Honestly, John, you're such a drama queen....

Not drama. We really do need to exclude the chaff from voting. We need to stop this crap where one particular political party goes out and stirs the Zombie Vote composed of people who don't know what the hell is going on or how our system is supposed to work because they know the overwhelming majority of those people are going to vote for them because that's just what they do.

Call if "voter suppression" if you want. That sounds good. But what I'm talking about is making sure people who have NO clue as to how our system is supposed to work and have NO idea as to what's going on around them don't vote. That would not be a bad thing at ALL.

Except it'd be bad for the Democratic Party. And that's the rub.

You seriously think the average Republican understands how our system is supposed to work.

[AZGrizFan]

Not drama. We really do need to exclude the chaff from voting. We need to stop this crap where one particular political party goes out and stirs the Zombie Vote composed of people who don't know what the hell is going on or how our system is supposed to work because they know the overwhelming majority of those people are going to vote for them because that's just what they do.

Call if "voter suppression" if you want. That sounds good. But what I'm talking about is making sure people who have NO clue as to how our system is supposed to work and have NO idea as to what's going on around them don't vote. That would not be a bad thing at ALL.

Except it'd be bad for the Democratic Party. And that's the rub.

You seriously think the average Republican understands how our system is supposed to work.

No, but it's better than the ABOVE average Donk that doesn't know either.

[kalm]

You seriously think the average Republican understands how our system is supposed to work.

No, but it's better than the ABOVE average Donk that doesn't know either.

Sure it is.

If you support either national party at this point, you're a fucking moron.

[Ibanez]

Honestly, John, you're such a drama queen....

Not drama. We really do need to exclude the chaff from voting. We need to stop this crap where one particular political party goes out and stirs the Zombie Vote composed of people who don't know what the hell is going on or how our system is supposed to work because they know the overwhelming majority of those people are going to vote for them because that's just what they do.

Call if "voter suppression" if you want. That sounds good. But what I'm talking about is making sure people who have NO clue as to how our system is supposed to work and have NO idea as to what's going on around them don't vote. That would not be a bad thing at ALL.

Except it'd be bad for the Democratic Party. And that's the rub.

You're a damn fool If you think the Republican Party doesn't do the same exact thing.

[Ibanez]

No, but it's better than the ABOVE average Donk that doesn't know either.

Sure it is.

If you support either national party at this point, you're a fucking moron.

. Sadly, nobody has the balls to eschew them and work to give a third party some credibility. It's always, " I'd vote Libertarian but they don't stand a chance against the GOP." Well no if you refuse to help them.

[Seahawks08]

You know what the funny thing about this would be? I think it would hurt the Rs more than the Ds simply because the Libertarian party would become an actual party that could get candidates into office. And imo they would take the tea party types away from the Rs.

[Ivytalk]

Sure it is.

If you support either national party at this point, you're a **** moron.

. Sadly, nobody has the balls to eschew them and work to give a third party some credibility. It's always, " I'd vote Libertarian but they don't stand a chance against the GOP." Well no if you refuse to help them.

Name me one time in American history when we have had a true three- party system. And don't tell me that one-man shows like George Wallace, Strom Thurmond and "Bull Moose" TR count for this purpose.

[89Hen]

Sure it is.

If you support either national party at this point, you're a fucking moron.

. Sadly, nobody has the balls to eschew them and work to give a third party some credibility. It's always, " I'd vote Libertarian but they don't stand a chance against the GOP." Well no if you refuse to help them.

I don't think it takes balls or brians to vote third party. IMO it's more like a white flag. What kind of message is Cleets sending by casting a vote for Jill Stein?

[BlueHen86]

No, but it's better than the ABOVE average Donk that doesn't know either.

Sure it is.

If you support either national party at this point, you're a fucking moron.

Exactly.

[Ibanez]

. Sadly, nobody has the balls to eschew them and work to give a third party some credibility. It's always, " I'd vote Libertarian but they don't stand a chance against the GOP." Well no if you refuse to help them.

Name me one time in American history when we have had a true three- party system. And don't tell me that one-man shows like George Wallace, Strom Thurmond and "Bull Moose" TR count for this purpose.

Barking Spider.

We've never had a "true" 3rd party system where all 3 had a real chance of winning. But with Americans so dissatisfied with the Democrats and Republicans, they should chose an alternative. But we're stupid. We'll complain about htem but we won't nut up and vote a 3rd Party. Why? Because we don't think they could win. Why? Because we won't vote for them. Why? Because we're fucking stupid.

[DSUrocks07]

. Sadly, nobody has the balls to eschew them and work to give a third party some credibility. It's always, " I'd vote Libertarian but they don't stand a chance against the GOP." Well no if you refuse to help them.

I don't think it takes balls or brians to vote third party. IMO it's more like a white flag. What kind of message is Cleets sending by casting a vote for Jill Stein?

Boiling down American politics to a heads or tails choice is a white flag in of itself