Obama is not on the Ticket, so why should I vote?

[ThomWV]

November is right around the corner and the election is early in the month, just about 75 days away - give or take. Its an off year and the President is not on the ballot, and that might come as a surprise to some folks. I'm not so sure I'll go to the polls though. I have no one on the national ticket to vote for. On the Senate side I will not vote for our current Governor to fill Robert Byrd's Senate seat. The man is a coal broker who will give strong and continued support to the very industries that are ravishing my state. Our other Senator, Jay Rockefeller, is not up this time and I refuse to vote for him for any office because of his betrayal of the nation in support of illegal intelligence activities and I will not vote for the anti-choice-DINO who will run for the 1st District Congressional Seat. Its hell to be a Democrat and have no Democrats worth voting for and in fact two who I actively oppose. If they won't stand up for what is right, and in fact little or nothing that separates them from their Republican opposition, then why on earth should I vote for them?

On Edit: I should add that there is one Representative for this state who isn't so bad, but he does not represent my District.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. Lucky for me I have good solid progressive dems to vote for.

If I didn't I would have a tough choice.

[EstimatedProphet]

2. It depends...who's the alternative?

The thing is, if it comes down to a guy you can barely tolerate for senator vs. a guy who wants to replace the constitution with biblical law - complete with stoning of infidels - I'm going to go vote.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Some Tought Days Are Ahead...

It's hard to feel positive about how the Democrats have all but run from Progressive ideas and let the rushpublicans frame and wedge issue after issue over the past two years. This administration is shell-shocked...reacting and doing so in a clumsy manner. Any accomplishment have an asterisk attached and in their zeal to "rise above" or "reach across" (or around) they have alienated a base that had hoped for far more and now feel either betrayed or ignored. It's getting late in the election cycle and things appear to be getting worse not better. Sure it's not a national election, but many are seeing it as a mandate of the status quo...a verdict on the Democratic party that has control on the executive and legislative. The fact you can't support Mancin (and I'm not too crazy about him either) is an indication as if his vote didn't matter...if we had a stronger, more Progressive president and legislative, then it'd be easier to hold one's nose for the common good. Sadly right now I don't see any such good. It's all about the lesser of evils...and unforunately the evils have the momentum.

The bottom line is how corrupted our political system has become. Our legislators spend a majority of their time fundraising and keeping their big donors happy...the voters only matter for the few weeks around an election. The disgust cross across many lines now except the rushpublicans who can lie and cheat with no care...all they see and care about is power and are about to get some. I don't feel very optimisitic about the future. The saving grace may be that the GOOP overreaches so bad it gives a reminder to the majority of why they were kicked out in 2006...but the Democrats have done precious little to win on their own merits and this is coming home big time in the upcoming elections.

[Beerball1]

4. Why vote?

   Speaker of the House John Boehner. 'nuf said.

[mod mom]

5. I'm voting, but just not for every race. Where there is a DLC candidate,

there will be a no vote. To those who say having a Repub fill the ranks will be worse, I say enabling corporatists from blocking progressives is just as bad. I will not be voting for governor or senator in my state.

[tammywammy]

6. Because elections aren't only federal issues

Who's running in your state for rep or senate? What about city council, school boards or bond issues. Voting is way more than just federal elections.

[handmade34]

7. That question

should NEVER be asked!!! We vote because we are citizens - it is our duty and we fight to make this place better... not a good candidate to vote for, then write someone in or run yourself, or?? BUT VOTE!!! ....make it a habit to vote.

I can't believe in this country someone would ever choose not to vote

[rucky]

8. Even if the Gov is a total DINO...

He would caucus with the Dems, which would keep Harry Ried in as Majority Leader (I know, I'm trying here). At least this would keep us setting the legislative agenda and not the GOP. A sure way to send Obama to one-term presidency would be to let the GOP set the agenda. Obama would be forced to veto everything (obstruction!) or go along with some really bad ideas. I mean really bad. Way worse than the stuff we're seeing now. It's a lose-loser proposition.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

9. you get the gov't you vote for...or someone else votes for n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

10. Obama IS on the ticket

implicitly

When you opt not to vote or to vote for non-democrats, you're allowing a branch of government (Congress) to have the power to stop him cold for any policies to even remotely help this country. It has the same effect as having a passive republican in office.

[rasputin1952]

11. It comes down to more than a candidate...

There are always things on the ballot that will affect you statewide or locally. Some of these items actually depend on a low voter turnout. Here in NE, we still have a DP because an amendment to the state Constitution was shot down because of low voter turnout. There are all kinds of things, from judges to sheriffs and in this state, the "County Noxious Weed Official", (I still have to figure that one out, as there are weeds all over the place, and this guy gets paid big bucks to tackle the situation.)

Local taxes are affected, property taxes, shifts in local and statewide power...all depend on low voter turnout. Many of these things are put in in "off" years, simply because if people knew what was in them, they'd vote them down. School Boards, City Council Members and a host of other things are up for grabs. Politicians may seem incredibly dumb to us at times, but they know that some things that they want to pass are best put in a Mid-Term election.

I can't tell you who to vote for or what issues you should vote on, that is up to you, but to allow others to make decisions for me, some of which may well harm me, w/o my tossing my vote into the mix is something I can't do. If I don't feel strongly for a candidate, I can leave that blank, but each time we do not vote on issues that affect us, federally, state, county or citywide...we allow our Rights an Privileges to be eroded a little more.

[Cirque du So-What]

12. You touched on the fact that the decision not to vote is a *personal* one

Personal as in 'why are you posting such rhetoric on an *ostensibly* Democratic board?' Sorry about this individual's disappointment, but is it necessary to inflict it upon the rest of us? Are you encouraging others to stay home? Sounds decidedly UN-Democratic to me.

[rasputin1952]

14. Far from it, and I'm sorry if that is what you read into the post...

My point was that there are many more issues and items than just a Rep/Sen/President.

I would hope that all registered voters go to the polls on election day, I fully admit that is not to be considering the history of the nation however.

I can't count the # of times I've heard people complain about "the government", and when I ask if they voted, they say "no". The way I figure it, if I cast a ballot, then win or lose, I have earned my Right to speak with some authority. I've worked on election boards and with the Counties I've lived in as a poll worker. I respect all people, but those that show up at the polls get a little more respect from me.

If we really want to live in Democratic Republic, we need to participate.

[Cirque du So-What]

15. I agree wholeheartedly

and my criticism wasn't directed your way at all. It was more like 'wondering out loud' why a thread whose thesis is 'I'm staying home in November because nobody is worth voting for' needed to be posted in the first place. Pessimism is contagious, and if I encourage Typhoid Marys to cover their mouths, then I plead guilty.

[rasputin1952]

18. Thanks...

:hi:

[stray cat]

13. If you think the GOP is better for your life - there is no need to vote

[LatteLibertine]

16. Because

potentially getting fucked by a donkey dick is not as bad as >definitely< getting railed by an elephant.

The Republican platform; tax cuts for the most wealthy and fuck the rest of the nation.

[EC]

17. I felt like that once....

Reagan got in...I'll never be lax in my responsibilities again....

You've got to think of the bigger picture...who controls Congress and has subpoena power...and who's in control of the committees.

[JoePhilly]

20. Absolutely correct.

Holding your breath does not work.

[Staph]

19. I feel for you, my fellow West Virginian.

But I look at the alternatives:

* John Raese in the US Senate -- his support for corporations versus real humans makes Joe Manchin look like Mother Teresa.

* David McKinley in the House -- he's the former state GOP chairman and he's endorsed by National Right to Life and every other anti-abortion group around.

I'm not crazy about the choices either, though I get to vote unsuccessfully for the umpteenth time to unseat Shelley Moore Capito. But hold your nose, and remember the down-ballot races as well.

[AldebTX]

21. I'm Voting

Because I don't want even more Republicans to stalemate Congress and if they seize control of the House investigate the country into gridlock.

[GoneOffShore]

22. Exercise your franchise.

Even if they are DINOs isn't there a local race that your vote could influence? The Baggers are working to get people in on the local level so that they can move into eventual higher position.
It's important to make your voice heard in those races.