Get out and Vote
Written by: noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lowe (aka Henry Sugar))
We interrupt our regular coverage of all things Marquette Basketball to remind you to get out and vote.
In case you've been living under a rock, today is Election Day. We don't care if you want to vote for Barack Obama (http://www.barackobama.com/index.php), John McCain (http://www.johnmccain.com/splash32615.htm), Ralph Nader (http://www.votenader.org/), or Cobra Commander (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxHohUXgnzc). Just get out and exercise your constitutional right to vote.
PS - Don't even think about posting any partisan comments, because they'll get deleted. Just vote.
http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/11/get-out-and-vote.html
VOTE FOR KANG OR KODOS!
Vote Quimby.
Quote from: marqptm on November 04, 2008, 08:42:19 AM
VOTE FOR KANG OR KODOS!
It makes no difference which one of them you vote for. Either way, your planet is doomed. DOOMED!
Well then I think I'll vote for a third party candidate.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/291741554_3dd592f260_t.jpg)
Of course - since Colorado already had over 50% of registered voters turnout in early voting - I guess I was late to the party.
Just voted .. I had to wait about 25 seconds in line. DAMNIT!
Oh yeah - unfortunately I had a line too. Whew...luckily it didn't take them long to process the ONE lady in front of me :)
GET OUT THERE AND VOTE PEOPLE!
The "Need" to vote is BS. People try to guilt others into voting, but I don't see a rational reason.
In Wisconsin, there is between a 1:28,000,000 and 1:85,000,000 chance that a single vote will determine the election.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_el_ge/vote_matters
Costs:
Time it takes to vote
Cost of getting to voting location
Benefit:
1:85,000,000 chance of getting the guy you want in office.
Personally, I would be happy with either candidate. So why should I vote?
You better say something concrete, not "it's your patriotic duty." In the representative democracy, I have the choice to vote and I could choose not voting instead of McCain or Obama.
You can get a free Starbucks coffee if you vote in downtown Chicago. It's totally worth it
No one wrote "need".
And I fully realize that the economic costs of voting outweigh the economic benefits.* There are all sorts of studies that have determined your vote doesn't matter. Here's a nice article from the freakonomics guys (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/magazine/06freak.html?_r=2&n=Top%2fFeatures%2fMagazine%2fColumns%2fFreakonomics&oref=slogin&oref=slogin).
Voting is irrational. Do it anyways.
*does not factor in free starbucks
Quote from: Mufflers on November 04, 2008, 01:33:02 PM
The "Need" to vote is BS. People try to guilt others into voting, but I don't see a rational reason.
In Wisconsin, there is between a 1:28,000,000 and 1:85,000,000 chance that a single vote will determine the election.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_el_ge/vote_matters
Costs:
Time it takes to vote
Cost of getting to voting location
Benefit:
1:85,000,000 chance of getting the guy you want in office.
Personally, I would be happy with either candidate. So why should I vote?
You better say something concrete, not "it's your patriotic duty." In the representative democracy, I have the choice to vote and I could choose not voting instead of McCain or Obama.
Right because it's not like there are any local elections or state admendments on the ballot. You sound like a marquette smart stoner. Don't ask me how i know what they sound like... Because ganja is from the devil.
My real point is that assumptions should be questioned. Aside from peer pressure, I don't think there is a good reason to vote.
However, there are other benefits of voting that aren't on the surface. You can tell people you voted and people won't judge you. Those people will think you're "patriotic."
If you vote for a Democrat, trumpet that fact to other Democrats. They'll irrationally think you're a great person who has a heart.
If you vote for a Republican, trumpet that fact to other Republicans. They'll irrationally think you're a great person who has intelligence and family values.
However, don't think for yourself. Once you decide who to vote for, proclaim all of your candidates policies 100% correct. Put down others who don't agree with all of the policies. Dispute all of the policies of the opponent.
Is joining Team Obama or Team McCain really all that patriotic? I find it rather divisive. The election brings out the ignorance and close-mindedness in us.
I view voting as a responsibility. But that's me.
Also, a lot more elections going on than just the one for President. I can't wait for who will win District 5 Weights and Measure Superintedent.
Also, the benefits are piling up.
Free Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's, Krispy Kreme... I also heard about free piercings somewhere.
Quote from: ErickJD08 on November 04, 2008, 01:36:21 PM
You can get a free Starbucks coffee if you vote in downtown Chicago. It's totally worth it
Starbuck's messed up and now they have to give out free coffee all day whether you voted or not. This goes for all Starbuck's here in Minnesota and I think in the country. Too bad I don't drink coffee.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/17885256/detail.html
Mufflers
Your statements, though seemingly intelligent are ridiculous. To say that because you vote one party or the other, you are adopting 100% of said parties policy would be contrary to the majority of Americans that are moderate..... and the debate going on in this country right now is important. More people need to take the time to understand what and who they are voting for.
All that aside, the reason I vote is quite simple. I find it enjoyable. Knowing full well that my single vote probably will not mean much does not take away the simply enjoyment of exercising my right as a citizen.
Try it out, you may even like it.
I live in New York City. There is no debate. There is only Obama kool-aid. Obama is 100% correct. All Republicans are 100% incorrect. Obama is a centrist. McCain may be the furthest right of any conservative ever.
I voted for Obama, but I debate McCain's viewpoint because Team Obama is so ignorant and close-minded. I'd be a lot more popular if I drank the kool-aid though.
Voting is a right and a privilege, by all means go vote, but please educate yourself before you do so. More things have been screwed up in the history of democracies by ignorant voters than by electing the "wrong" guy.
Mufflers:
I agree with your right not to vote. However, by failing to vote, you also give up your right to complain about the results realized because of those who partcipated. If you do not like it, participate. If you do not participate, do not complain.
I think that people shouldn't complain about how the country is run if they don't vote. If you have a problem with things, go vote. Voting is really the simplest thing that is asked of the people. If you choose not to vote, you are choosing not to voice your choice. You should in turn keep your mouth shut.
FUNNY STORY... I was at MU during the Bush Gore election and my floormate was the one that got kicked out of MU because he went on a news show and told them that he voted like 10 times. News show said his identity would be concealed but I guess not. Oddly enough, he was the same character that supplied me with a fake ID. AHHH, the good ol' days.
Quote from: ErickJD08 on November 04, 2008, 03:06:12 PM
I think that people shouldn't complain about how the country is run if they don't vote. If you have a problem with things, go vote. Voting is really the simplest thing that is asked of the people. If you choose not to vote, you are choosing not to voice your choice. You should in turn keep your mouth shut.
FUNNY STORY... I was at MU during the Bush Gore election and my floormate was the one that got kicked out of MU because he went on a news show and told them that he voted like 10 times. News show said his identity would be concealed but I guess not. Oddly enough, he was the same character that supplied me with a fake ID. AHHH, the good ol' days.
Yeah thanks to that we had an Assistant DA and the cops scare the crap out of us in East. There were about 6 of us in a dorm room "collaboratively" working on a take home test when the cops and DA pounded on the door. We all irrationally thought it was related to the test for about 10 seconds. Then we had to answer questions for like 10 minutes about the voting. Good times indeed.
I, too, encourage people, who have done the proper research, to get out and vote. However, I have a question. People keep talking about "exercising their constitutional right to vote." I may have missed this day at Marquette, but can someone please show me where in the Constitution it guarantees the right to vote in a federal election?
Go Warriors.
Go USA.
Quote from: MUBB7703 on November 04, 2008, 02:59:35 PM
Mufflers:
I agree with your right not to vote. However, by failing to vote, you also give up your right to complain about the results realized because of those who partcipated. If you do not like it, participate. If you do not participate, do not complain.
I have the right to vote or not to vote. I also have the right to speak or not to speak. I should also be able to complain about whoever wins even if I don't vote. I'd complain about a guy I voted for if he wasn't doing a good job.
There is no right to vote in a federal election. Case in point, most people in prison and people under the age of 18 can't vote.
That's why by the dictionary definition, voting is technically not a right. But it is something that was earned, and it can be taken away.
Going back to my original point, I view voting as a responsibilty. I think term privilege conveys that it is only a for a select few. Maybe this election, if anything, excited millions of new voters to hold their elected officials responsible at the local, state, and federal level.
Quote from: Mufflers on November 04, 2008, 03:51:31 PM
I have the right to vote or not to vote. I also have the right to speak or not to speak. I should also be able to complain about whoever wins even if I don't vote. I'd complain about a guy I voted for if he wasn't doing a good job.
Yes. Yes. Yes. That's what this country was founded upon Muffs, freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Of course you have the right to vote or not, and of course you will not be persecuted if you choose not to vote then complain about the state of your city, school board, federal government or whatever.
So that begs the question, if you choose not to vote, do you civically participate in other ways?
Quote from: Mufflers on November 04, 2008, 01:33:02 PM
The "Need" to vote is BS. People try to guilt others into voting, but I don't see a rational reason.
In Wisconsin, there is between a 1:28,000,000 and 1:85,000,000 chance that a single vote will determine the election.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_el_ge/vote_matters
Costs:
Time it takes to vote
Cost of getting to voting location
Benefit:
1:85,000,000 chance of getting the guy you want in office.
Personally, I would be happy with either candidate. So why should I vote?
You better say something concrete, not "it's your patriotic duty." In the representative democracy, I have the choice to vote and I could choose not voting instead of McCain or Obama.
Those numbers only make sense only if everyone thought differently then the short sighted, closed minded person you are. Its the same pathetic argument made for people who overconsume or pollute. If everyone thought that their vote didn't count than each individual vote would become more powerful correct? Thus making your theory completely absurd.
But its your choice, I don't care if you vote or not but your reasoning is ridiculous.
do the 15th, 19th and 26th amendments ring a bell?
Quote from: esotericmindguy on November 04, 2008, 04:05:01 PM
Those numbers only make sense only if everyone thought differently then the short sighted, closed minded person you are. Its the same pathetic argument made for people who overconsume or pollute. If everyone thought that their vote didn't count than each individual vote would become more powerful correct? Thus making your theory completely absurd.
But its your choice, I don't care if you vote or not but your reasoning is ridiculous.
Overconsume? Are you talking about the Chinese buffet or a casino buffet?
Quote from: esotericmindguy on November 04, 2008, 04:05:01 PM
Those numbers only make sense only if everyone thought differently then the short sighted, closed minded person you are. Its the same pathetic argument made for people who overconsume or pollute. If everyone thought that their vote didn't count than each individual vote would become more powerful correct? Thus making your theory completely absurd.
But its your choice, I don't care if you vote or not but your reasoning is ridiculous.
That would only resonate if not voting resulted in an outcome that is not representative of the population. If everybody in Wisconsin voted, Obama would win. As it is, 50% of eligible voters will vote and Obama will win. Therefore, it isn't a matter of extrapolation.
RIP China Garden
Quote from: Mufflers on November 04, 2008, 04:31:58 PM
That would only resonate if not voting resulted in an outcome that is not representative of the population. If everybody in Wisconsin voted, Obama would win.
You seem to be assuming this is only a presidential election.
On my ballot the presidential election was one question - there were 4 more pages of options....US senate representation, US house representation, State Senate representation, state and regional judges, state constitution amendments, county tax mil levies, and local tax mil levies.
Voting is always a choice, but there were several reasons that make it important for me to vote other than for a president. In fact, I considered leaving box for president blank, but decided otherwise last night.
Quote from: ErickJD08 on November 04, 2008, 03:06:12 PM
FUNNY STORY... I was at MU during the Bush Gore election and my floormate was the one that got kicked out of MU because he went on a news show and told them that he voted like 10 times. News show said his identity would be concealed but I guess not. Oddly enough, he was the same character that supplied me with a fake ID. AHHH, the good ol' days.
I wasn't fully paying attention to the TV but I thought I heard on FOX News Channel today that in 2004 a few districts in Milwaukee actually had more registered voters than adults in the districts.