Category: News and Views
American Zoners, quick question for you. if you're over 18, are you registered to vote? If you are registered but've recently moved, have you updated your registration to reflect that? Election Day is coming up in just over two months, so if you answered no to either of those questions you'd better get busy. Time is running out, and with some states allowing early voting it's crucial that you make sure you can take part. Here's a link offering more details as well as registration deadlines in all US states and territories:
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting.shtml
You can also find info about voting accessibly here:
http://www.access-board.gov/voting.htm
If your polling place doesn't have an accessible voting machine of any kind, make sure you contact your local Board of Elections, legislators, advocacy groups and anyone else who might be helpful. You have as much a right to vote as anyone else, and in this particularly important election every voice should be heard.
On a somewhat related note, campaigns need volunteers, especially the lower-profile local ones. I recently started phone-banking for a state Senate candidate from my district. It's not always the most fun work, but it's interesting learning more about politics on the local level and if that's your thing I highly recommend it. Volunteering can take many forms, but usually involves either calling prospective voters or canvasing through neighborhoods. I'm sure whatever candidate you support would appreciate all the help they can get.
I'm registered to vote, but am not gonna do so this time around.
Cool post, Kerri. Yes, I am registered to vote, and do make sure that's updated whenever I've moved. I take voting very seriously. I'm one of those who thinks that if a person doesn't exercise their right to vote in a given election, they've also lost their credibility when they bitch if it doesn't turn out the way they wanted it to. I guess the other part is that I'm a woman, and we didn't always have that right. Yes, we're long past those days, but they did exist. Now there's accessible voting in a lot of places too, and I want to show polling places that blind people do actually need and use the service.
At post 2 I don't presume to know why you don't want to vote in this particular election, but as I usually do I'm gonna speak up for your local elections in your state.
I understand how people are dissatisfied at the national level. But while we are called the United States, we actually function a lot more like a confederacy or federation of states. Don't interpret that with the civil war in mind: what I mean is, for every general election, you have a lot of local ballot measures and candidates that only you know about. Not me, not Cody or Alicia or anyone else who isn't living in your state, or, hell, in your county or even city! Yes, there are city issues on ballots, while everyone is up in arms about the presidential race. Your city issues are what control your access to roads, the amount you pay on your water bill, what happens when people leave the dog do on the sidewalk, and all sorts of other things that only affect your city.
Spiral that outward, and we're talking about your county. Basically, in America, if a municipality can be sovereign, it is. That means elections really do count, and the most important parts get the least press: the laws and ordinances that affect you the most are right there where you live.
At a state level, you have your own legislatures, and people get confused when they think of sending representatives and senators to Washington, but you have the election from your county or district to send to your state legislature. These are all important, if unsung, parts of the election process.
Alicia, I'm glad to hear you say what you said. This is what I have been telling my daughter. She will miss preregistration date by a few weeks but still the process is important. Especially locally. It's not like they're going to throw out your ballot if you don't fill in parts of the national section.
I'm not voting for I am an Australian, we have our Election next year :)
I believe regardless of whether or not we vote it won't turn out the way we want. Politicians, as I've said in other topics, are going to say and do anything to get themselves elected. They'll make promises and what have you. But once they're elected they do their own thing. So you pretty much wasted your vote anyway. So it seems better not to even vote to begin with. Because I'm not gonna vote for someone just because I don't like the other guy.
Let me guess: you're not gonna vote and yet you're gonna complain about your government and paint with a really broad brush and say oh well it doesn't really matter anyway, but then you will still complain about specific things.
Oh and then dismiss out of hand all of the local people and issues relative to your particular municipality, because, of course, it's easier and a lot more fun to paint with that wide-sweeping brush, advocate any personal responsibility, and just throw up your hands and sing songs about how they're all out to get us.
I think everyone, no matter what your political position, has frustration with the political process. But then again, we all work and do a lot of other things that have variable results. We all wash the dishes even though they'll get dirty again; we all get our kids educated, keep our pets cared for and a zillion other things, even though those things will have to be done all over again, and any number of other factors could spoil the situation. So even though you could at very least vote on a local city measure that could enhance your personal life, maybe even get more accessible sidewalks in an area, you'd rather paint with a broad brush and say all politicians are corrups so I'm going to be just as corrupt as they are, by not taking any personal responsibility at my own level.
Corruption, after all, is little more than advocating responsibility.
I'm registered to vote and am looking forward to doing so this year. Whether or not it turns out that the people I vote for win, I feel good knowing I am able to put in my own preferences. One thing I'm curious about though is, does anyone know of any sites that explain what each candidate's position on the various topics are? I am registered to receive e-mails from a thing called VoteSmart, but does anyone know of any more organizations/sites?
Preach it, Leo. I hadn't even thought of the local issues angle, but I'm glad you did. Very well said.
Bryan, I do understand your frustration. Believe me, I often feel like I'm picking the lesser of two evils, and I do not really trust either side. I can only pick the candidate I agree most with. I do sometimes feel like there's no point, but there really isn't one at all if I don't at least try to exercise my voice.
Twinklestar, I'd say your best bet is to go to the candidate's own websites and read their positions.
Ah and looking back, I meant abducate not advocate.
Rather a stark difference, and sorry for the misprints there. That was done on a coffee break so must've been quick at it.
I'm going to bring out my idealistic side, yes I do have one, and vote, even if my cynical side says it's going to be a token gesture. No matter what the outcome is, at least I voted.
I'm planning to vote this year.
Like always, I will vote for the issues that are state related, but I will leave my presidential vote box blank. Get real people, first of all, both candidates this year are dimwits. Second of all, regardless of what you choose, the electoral college gets the last vote, as we saw in 2000 when Gore got the popular vote, but Bush got the electoral vote.
I'm looking forward to voting! Great posts, sd, and Leo, as always.
I find it very interesting how different the Political system works in America as compared to Australia. I hate Politics but I prefer the American system where you don't have to vote if you don't want too. I also find it interesting In America, you can only serve a minimum of 2 terms in Office as with us, our Prime Minister can hold office for a long time, the longest being of course John Howard, one of Geroge Bush's favorites.
I wish our voting was compulsory like Australia's. If you want any change, start at your local level. Vote for your mayor, your representatives, your town councils. Volunteer or run yourself.
That said, for those of you who are so dishearteningly lazy or self-righteous, try this:
http://www.isidewith.com/presidential-election-quiz
Definitely planning to vote. It seems a whole lot easier now that we have accessible voting for the blind. Before, it didn't seem private to me at all. Early voting helps too; you can take as long as you need to and the poll is not so crowded. I think the polls will be packed this time.
I am registered but might not vote this year.
just because not everyone wants to vote, they're looked down upon? what a shame.
as for me, my voter registration needs to be updated (which it will, by the time voting rolls around).
so, before people make assumptions that I'm lazy, think again.
Excelent point about early voting. I think that's definitely what I'm going to do.
Dunno if people are so much looking down, as saying, don't forget your local issues. You know more about those, and live with their consequences, unlike anyone outside your area.
Otherwise outside advertisers and others will just come in and put in ballot measures that benefit them, and people just vote for them without thinking.
Heart, do you feel looked down on because you generally make it a point of looking down on others?
Anyway, jibing aside, I too think it's extremely important to vote, even locally. The problem arises two fold however when people either don't feel like anything they do will make a difference, or when they just don't know enough about a candidate to make an informed decision. With so much conflicting information out there, plus a general truth that often promises made are going to be broken, it's not surprising the state of democracy is as it seems.
BG, I wasn't saying I personally feel looked down upon; just that that's a possibility. thanks for the laugh, though.
and, one more thing. BG, regardless of how you perceive me, I never set out to "look down on others", as you put it. having strong opinions, and belittling people, are two very different things. clearly, we each have differing definitions of that, though.
You do belittle other people Happy Heart. anyone who doesn't believe as you do. But I think I owe you an appology in any case. What I said before was rather off-topic and an unnecessary perception which didn't really need to be made public. I'm sorry.
Regardless of whether or not I vote I sooner or later find myself complaining about the government. It's the government after all and it'll do whatever it wants regardless of who we think we're putting in office. Synical? Yes, but experience and observation have made me that way when it comes to this issue. I might as well vote for the Great Cornholio.
On the day that voting becomes compulsory we might as well change the national anthem and ditch the land of the free part. What're they gonna do if I don't, shoot me?
I still think voting is important, but it does seem like politicians make promises that they know they can't or won't keep in order to get elected.
Bryan, very well said. that's why, from now on, I'll likely only stick to the local issues.
Me too. I may vote on a local issue if I feel strongly about it but you'll probably never see me vote on a presidential election again. Last time I voted Obunghole still won.
In Canada, we have three different elections - city, province, and country. I have not voted previously in our city elections for the simple reason that I did not know enough about candidates and what they stood for, but did vote in my province's provincial election this past spring. I can't say I am happy with the result, but am glad I voted. I honestly believe that whatever will happen will happen, but if there are particular issues that are being discussed it would bring me out to vote.
It should be compulsory because most people are moderates or indifferent, and thus don't vote, leaving the major population of voters to be comprised of people who are self-interested, group-exclusive, downright insane, or some combination of the three.
The popular vote should reflect the "meh" or "A is a little better than B, I guess" status of the nation, not the "Everyone absolutely should follow the moral standards of my group" battle that's been going on for decades.
Allow me to correct a misconception I have seen voiced on this board topic, there are four candidates, not two. You only see commercials for two, but that does not mean there are only two to choose from. You have obama and romny, yes, but you also have virgil good, and gary johnson.
I, and you all know how strong my opinions are, am voting for gary johnson. He is a constitutional libritarian, just like I am. He was the governor of New Mexico, and what's mmore, when he was in office, he kept every promise he made. You can look it up if you don't believe me.
Do research people, don't just follow what you hear on tv or on the radio. If you stop voting for the democrats and the republicans alone, they will go away. You don't have to follow the status quo.
Johnson isn't the worst choice out of the group, but he makes me a little wary with his use of Ron Paul's flag to run his own campaign. I'm a bigger fan of the lady running, whose name I cannot recall now.
The issue is that we are often forced to vote against the candidate we don't want, rather than for the one we do.
Miss M's last post hit the nail on the head. thank you for saying what I didn't have time to last I posted.
That is mostly because people think there is only two candidates. They think if they vote for one, they are voting against the other. If more people realized that we have half a dozen parties in this country, they wouldn't think that there vote is so pointless. If you want some historical proof, look at the whigs, or the bull moose party, or any of the other parties that went by the wayside. If people would stop voting for just one or the other, the government would not be so stratified.
That is why people need to get out and vote, and vote for the person they think will best do the job. If that is the democrat, then vote for him, if its the independent, (yes, you have a candidate independence), then vote for him, if its the green party,, vote for the green party. Vote for who you think is best, not the lesser of two evils. If you stop voting for them, they will disappear.
I don't agree about voting becoming compulsory. So much for the land of the free.
The problem inherent in voting for a third party, is that one of the two major party candidates comes closer to your point of view and as soon as you vote that third party candidate, you take a vote away from the major party candidate that is closer to you and giving it to the major candidate farther away. Unless a majority of people, or even a plurality of people do this, the third party candidate won't win and you might as well shout in a deserted woods for all the good it does you. However, if you were going to leave it blank, vote for a third party candidate since your voice is still being heard.
Freedom is not without responsibility, and one would think that there would be a natural and learned drive to maintain the freedoms that one enjoys through participation and working to ensure the system isn't broken.
However, since this country often equates "freedom" with "the right to be lazy," that doesn't happen. Compulsory voting would be much like compulsory taxes: It's designed to ensure the machine continues to work efficiently and as intended, in order to keep your freedoms going.
Why would you vote for the third party if one of the major parties matches your opinions better? I'm not saying you should vote for the third party simply to avoid voting for one of the two main parties. I'm saying that there are other people you can vote for. You don't have to vote for the democrat or the republican candidates if they don't match your opinions.
Like me, for example, I don't like the decmocratic stance on economics, health care, foreign policy, the military and immigration. However, I don't like the rrepublican stance on abortion, gay marriage, the poor, social security, women's rights, and the role of the church in politics. So what did I do, I went out and found Gary Johnson, who agress with me in a vast majority of the cases; enough to earn him my vote. That is what everyone should do.
You don't have to vote for one or the other, look at all of them, and find out which one matches your stance best. Will you shout into the wind a few times, of course you will, but if enough people start shouting, then you'll be heard. That happened in the 1860's, it can happen now.
I agree with miss m.
The land of the free also means the right to choose not to do something. Since it's actually the electoral college, not the people who decide things at least on a presidential level, it seems pointless for the common people to vote. Besides as I've said before, a politician is going to promise whatever he or she has to in order to get elected but will more often than not do whatever once they are in office. Look at all the promises Barak Obunghole made on the campaign trail. The main reaso he got elected was because people were fed up with the republican party's handling of things. I need hardly point out that I voted McCain int he last election, although it was more because every time I listen to Obunghole I feel like I'm watching a dumbed down version of Beavis and Butthead. I didn't find either candidate particularly inspiring and McCain's Joe the Plummer bit got on my nerves the first time I heard it. And don't even get me started on Sarah Palin. I wanted to duct tape her mouth every time she opened it. Talk about never giving a straight answer to a simple question. I'd have been better off voting for Homer Simpson or Krusty the Clown.
The electoral college doesn't decide things. The electoral college is based on votes, you basically vote for which way you want the electoral votes to go in your state. Do I like it, no, and there are politicians who want to get rid of it, but that's how it is. Don't call it something its not. It isn't this gang of men who sit in a back room with scotch and cigars and decide the next president.
I don't plan on voting for president. The president cannot uplift the economy, create jobs, decrease poverty levels, lower or raise taxes, or do any of the other things that are spewed during campaign speeches. As far as the economy goes, the president is a copilot for a plane on autopilot. Also, if anyone can change anything in this country, it's Congress. If a bill doesn't get through Congress, it doesn't matter what Mr. President says. I equate the president with Lady Liberty; he's just a symbol.
I will participate in local and state elections, but the presidential election, no.
The problem with that is that the president isn't a figurehead, he actually does have responsibilities. Yes, the congress is important, and I would argue that it is more important these days, but the president still has the veto power. That veto power is the check on the congress, and if we elect someone who does not agree with our view, we vote for someone who will veto bills we don't want vetoed. Vetos are very hard to overturn.
The problem with people like BryanP22, at least based on what you write, is this conspiracy-theory-based attitude: They're after me. Those people will never let us in. The government is trying to control us. The state won't let me get a job. The common denominator is blaming someone else, not taking personal responsibility for what you can take responsibility for. And of course, having this conspiracy-theorist view of every single thing relieves you of any personal responsibility. By you, I don't mean Bryan: it's an epidemic in this country and it spans political lines and ideologies.
It's been said that the most effective hell would be just that: everyone's doing something to you and you can't do a damned thing about it. Of course you'll be miserable like that, but there is only one way out: take personal ownership of what you can take ownership of, your own vote especially locally. Cody's right about how the electoral college, and it has more to do with being a republic than a democracy, e.g. representation, not an illuminati-style group of creepy men who went to Yale and got their butts branded.
a quick google search this morning lead me to find disability wrights activists who'll help you fill out a voter registration card/change your information. I contacted them immediately, and am very glad I did.
so, in case anyone's reason for not voting was cause their info isn't up to date, there are ways to fix that. just thought I'd point that out.
Except that I don't think they're after me. I just don't believe they'll do the things they say they will. So I'm not going to help them get elected.
So elect the ones who actuallly do what they said they would. Gary Johnson for example, who actually kept every promise he made during his campaign for governor, and that can be documented. Why advocate your duty so easily?
It's not my duty to help the corrupt or the incompetant get into office.
My advice to you guys would be, if you're voting, just concentrate on the person in your State or City, look at both sides and continue to keep contact with them to voice what you want.
In my time Voting, I've only voted 2 times both in 2010, State and then our Federal Elections.
Sometimes, your President might have a promise to do something but when he or She is elected, they might actually not do what they've promised, I'll give an example.
In the 2010 Australian Federal Election, our Prime Minister Julia Gillard promised us that we wowon't have a Carbon Tax, in 2012, She introduced the Carbon Tax and now we bloody have to pay bloody more money.
Unfortunately, if we don't vote, we get a Bloody $50 fine, but no one's ever recieved a Fine before.
I don't like to vote but next year's Election, I plan to add an extra box and put my name next to it then tick it.
Or another advice for you guys is, if you can just take the paper, walk to your box, just look at it, then just leave it blank and put it into the Box.
No, but it is your duty to help the leader you think is best get into office. That is what civic duties are.
As for these people who cast blank balots, or vote for themselves, or for mickey mouse or something like that, why would you waste your time doing that? You might as well just not vote. Its no wonder people think the election process is a mockery, when you make a mockery of the election process.
People complain so much about the government, they tax this, they do this with immigrants, they built that road with my tax dollars, and then when it comes time for them to do anything about it, they whine like children. Well there's no one I want to vote for, its all crooked anyway, the electoral college blah blah blah. I'm sick of hearing it. If you want to complain about the government, seriously take a part in the ellectoral process. Vote for the candidate who best meets your expectations and beliefs. If you can't do that, you have no room to complain.
I wonder what would happen if people on government assistance were required to actually participate in the system that allows them to live.
I would be in full support of that idea. I think that if you are living off the government, you should have to take part in government.
I also agree that anyone who doesn't vote has no right to complain. yet, people still will.
Let me ask you guys this though. If you're voting for a candidate who you know won't win, why bother? I get your point that casting a vote for someone who you believe should win is the ideal situation, but as was also pointed out several times, most people think that there are only two candidates, either that or they don't pay attention enough to the truth or go on what their brother-in-law's ex's cousin's ten-year-old sister said or something. So, we still have the majority blindly following along. it's all well and good to say what people should do, but unfortunately, many will not heed that advice. Of course, it's their loss, and you're right, they have no right to complain when things don't turn out the way they want them to. But how can you not feel dejected when you cast your vote knowing it doesn't count?
As for making voting compulsory in this country, I think that would make things worse, not better. It would only increase apathy about the whole process, not to mention people would either just vote for who their friends voted for or put down something random just to avoid getting fined or arrested or whatever. the truth is, most people care more about things like American Idol than what's going on at any given time in politics, so what would forcing them to choose when they don't know anything really do? How would it really improve how the government works?
To those who say "my vote will never count," or "I won't help a corrupt candidate get into office," I agree with Cody. And I posit the following:
Is that what the women of Afghanistan, in a country with a corrupt government, said when they literally put their lives on the line to vote? Or how about the efforts that have been made for us as the blind to vote? How about in 8 years when women will have had their right to vote for a near century?
Some people should be ashamed of themselves.
It's not necessarily about the person winning, it's about placing your vote behind the ideas that person is standing for. The more that person shows up on the polls, even if they don't win, the more it becomes apparent that the population supports those ideas as opposed to the ideas of the two main candidates.
Thus, awareness increases, media attention increases, donations increase, and more of a message is spread.
In the early years of the 1900's, there was a race between three presidential candidates. Wilson, Taft, and roosevelt, the gun guy, not the wheelchair guy. Roosevelt, and his followers, hated what the republican party had become so much, that they formed the bullmoose party. That party stole half the votes from the republican party, and the republican party lost. Did the bullmoose party win, no, but it proves that voting for the other guy can have an impact.
To answer your question more directly, I cast my vote for someone I know will not win for my integrity. I did not cast a useless vote for something I do not believe in, and I did not neglect my civic duty, I cast my vote for what I believe in, and for a candidate who agrees most with that. I can look myself in the eye after doing so and say that I did not corrupt my morals or my principles, simply because the decision was difficult, or because I didn't win. That's what integrity is, and I wholeheartedly believe we need more of it in this world.
right on, Cody and leo.
You guys have certainly made me think, and I agree with you. Thank you for explaining that to me.
I am indeed registered however I will most likely never doing so again. I am sick of this broken system; how could I support it?
See the entire conversation you posted below.
Don't support it, fix it.
Even when I voted I ended up complaining sooner or later simply because the politicians involved promised anything just to get elected. Then when they were they did whatever the hell they wanted. Look at Obunghole as an example. No one is going to force me to continue to take part in facilitating that. I wouldn't even be living off the government if employers were more willing to hire us. So you can't use that against me since it's not remotely by choice. Personally I think we'd almost be better off with a single royal family like England or some other countries. Heck, maybe each state could be a separate kingdom seeing as our government's too big as it is. I may still vote on local issues such as trying to get our idiot superintendent out of office but you will probably never again see me vote in a Presidential election, unless it be to write in someone like, say the Great Cornholio. Because I know that even someone who promises to work on issues I feel need work is just saying that to get elected and will, more likely than not, do their own thing once they are. I've seen too much of that over the years to have any faith that it actually works. About the only things I'll say in Obunghole's defense is that he supports same sex marriage and we haven't had to hear much if anything at all about his own sex life.
true.
I am actually going on record to say this.... I agree with CODY!
Since he and I have not really sparred on the baords before, let me just say that it is quite likely that our views will diverge in some pretty significant ways, but I could not agree with Cody mroe on this issue. While I am not in favor of voting for the lesser of 2, 3 or 4 evils just because one has the right to vote, I do believe that it is essential to vote for the person/party who best represents one's beliefs. Whether that person/party wins is not the point!
I listened to the first Preseident Debate on Radio even though it was 10 AM here, and nightime over in Denver but I really enjoyed listening to the debate and what your President or incoming President had to say and whoever you guys vote for, there's no doubt it'll be a changing period for you.
I enjoyed it quite a bit as well. I was pleased to see by posts on facebook that people are definitely paying attention to this election.
I watched the debate as well.
I watched that shit. It's all the same platform we've seen so many times, "I'm so and so and I will not do what that other person does." However, it means nothing because we have a system that is rotten to the core.
been since last year, changed my party from libertarian to republican too. I am a romney supporter through and through, dedicated and hard core right winger. was a romney supporter the day I knew he was for sure going to win the republican primaries.
but, while it's important to vote, you don't have to, it's a free country and people can do so if they want and not vote too if they want, no use forcing them, so I don't like the you must tone.
Yay, a fellow Republican. lol
Romney wasn't my first choice, nor was Ron Paul just to put that out there, but the more I hear Romney, the more I think he's an excelent choice. For starters, he actually likes and believes in America and doesn't want to quote fundamentally change it. Sure there are things which need improvement but fundamental change? No thanks.
It'll be nice to get someone in the White House who doesn't seem so freaken angry all the time and to whom I can listen without feeling like I just got my peepee spanked. lol
I find him disturbing but I think both candidates are just cogs in this broken down machine.
I'm going 3rd party this time around. Some say that's a wasted vote, but I'd rather vote my conscience.
Republican and Democratic are they the 2 Parties in the American Government? Here we have the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal National Party.
Those are the 2 major parties. There's also what's known as the Tea Party, a conservative grass-roots group that has gained popularity over the past 3 or so years. There are several other 3rd parties but they're not well known.
If only, Domestic Godess.
I may not agree with the Tea Party on some things, but actually I think they should become a party in and of themselves. They are not, right now: they are Republicans who have co-opted the term, but they do not have an independent platform. They, like the Libertarians and the Greens, would win local elections if only they would separate from their Republican forebearers and become an independent party with their own platform. Otherwise, they will continue to fight against the Republican mainstream and fractionalize that party. The tea partyers mouth a lot about conservative economic policies but bear little resemblance to the Wall Street Mitt Romneys and Rockafellers who financially own the Republican party.
I may not concur with their ideology on a lot of levels, but I'm a red-blooded American through and through: a classic American saying long forgotten now was, "I may not agree with what you're saying, but I will fight for your right to say it." In this case, fight for their right, would mean encouraging the Tea Party to step out and create its own real political party where some leadership and coalescence can emerge, rather than the drama-infested rather scattered ideology they and the Occupy people both tend to possess now.
Yes, I agree that the Tea Party should separate from the republicans and I suspect that may happen in the future.
If they do, this country will be in deep shit.
What makes you think it isn't already?
No it won't. If they do, they can actually publish their actual platform, rather than having it highjacked by right wing christians who wouldn't know the big bang from an orgasm. I know a lot of tea partiers, none of them care about religion or any of that. It is a tax based party. That's why its called the tea party, as in the boston tea party. You remember, the thing that was about taxes... on tea... in boston. It isn't about god or whether gays can marry or creationism should be taught in school.
The tea party is jjust another group that has gotten highjacked by the republicans because they made the wrong friends. Its tragic, and why I think the republican party needs to die already. Either that, or remember the values it had back in... say... 1867. For full details, look it up on google, I don't have the time or the energy to explain reconstruction era republicanism. Just google thadeus Stevens and you'll get the jist.
very well said, Cody.
I'm looking forward to voting, as I finally got my updated card in the mail. now, I just need to find out how I can view local election candidates info.
If I was an American, I wouldn't vote for the Democrats or the Republicans. I think the amount of money they spend on trying to persuade people to vote for them, the personality politics, and the toxic atmosphere they create with their personal attacks on opponents is disgusting. Both parties should be rejected.
Voted last week. Woohoo!