Who here votes?

[Jamie D]

Well, when both sides of the voting aisle are filled with nothing but different shades of crap, who do you vote for?

You vote for the person who best represents your interests.  That is how a republican democracy works.

I also assess candidates as to how true they are to the original meeaning and intent of the US Constitution (as amended).

[Jamie D]

No, this guy is epic suck. As in Carteresque. Besides 3/4 Presidents have had two terms.

43 people have served as President (one, Grover Cleveland, served non-consecutive terms but is enumerated twice as #22 and #24).

Of that 20 have been elected to a second term.

Of those 20, 3 did not complete their second term (Lincoln, McKinley, Nixon).  4 others were re-elected after serving the remainder of the predecessor's term (T. Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman, L Johnson).  1 President (F Roosevelt) served more than two terms.

Historically speaking, fewer than half the Presidents have had more than one term.

[Keri Allison]

Me too, although I rarely vote for a "liberal" candidate or cause.  I tend toward those candidates with a streak of libertarianism.  (I put "liberal" in quotations because most self-styled liberals are really statists.)

Agreed, my fellow libertarian. I didn't know libertarians were common among Transgendered groups.

Even as a transgendered MtF, I can't stand radical feminists. Why can't both sides, MRAs and Feminists recognize that both genders are not equal, and work towards equality for all, rather than just themselves, because if they only focus on their own gender, it won't really be equality. I think it's because both sides have a victimhood mentality.

[Jamie D]

I keep telling you that this 1776 War of Independence, Republic thing was a really bad idea.  You could all have been Canadians with free health care. 

"Canada" was invited to join the United States in 1781, under the 11th article of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.

They could have been Americans just by saying "yes" (or "oui," as the case may be).

[Jamie D]

Agreed, my fellow libertarian. I didn't know libertarians were common among Transgendered groups.

Even as a transgendered MtF, I can't stand radical feminists. Why can't both sides, MRAs and Feminists recognize that both genders are not equal, and work towards equality for all, rather than just themselves, because if they only focus on their own gender, it won't really be equality. I think it's because both sides have a victimhood mentality.

Libertarians generally tend to focus on individual freedoms and individual responsibilities.  It is about opportunities, not outcomes.  I was never one to participate in "groupthink."

[Keri Allison]

Libertarians generally tend to focus on individual freedoms and individual responsibilities.  It is about opportunities, not outcomes.  I was never one to participate in "groupthink."

That was my mistake. Classic Ron Paul lols

[tekla]

I think by this point, given who the Republicans have trotted out, and the almost insane stuff that's come out of their mouths (and on TV, so it can be re-shown endlessly) Obama could spend his (considerable) reelection fund on hookers and blow, show up at a debate or two, and otherwise just sit back and wait for the second inauguration.  Any/all of the Republicans are going to find it tough to win the states they have to.

[Jamie D]

I think by this point, given who the Republicans have trotted out, and the almost insane stuff that's come out of their mouths (and on TV, so it can be re-shown endlessly) Obama could spend his (considerable) reelection fund on hookers and blow, show up at a debate or two, and otherwise just sit back and wait for the second inauguration.  Any/all of the Republicans are going to find it tough to win the states they have to.

A little less than a year out from the election and Mr. Obama's approval rating hovers in the low 40's.

His popularity with independent voters has tanked.

Unemployment remains high, and millions of unemployed have dropped off the radar because they have stopped looking for work.  (Some say the "real" unemployment rate, including the "long-term discouraged works" is over 20%.)

[Jennifer]

I vote early and often. Next one for me is the vote to recall Governor Scott Walker, the union busting republican from Wisconsin.
The voice of the people shall be heard!

Jennifer

[Guantanamera]

I vote early and often. Next one for me is the vote to recall Governor Scott Walker, the union busting republican from Wisconsin.
The voice of the people shall be heard!

Jennifer

How do the polls look for mr. Walker?

Is he going to win the election or be recalled?

The national media (at least NPR) hasn't really been covering it so I have no idea what the situation is like.

[Mahsa Tezani]

I don't vote. But

OBAMA 2012

[Lily]

Can't we just not have a president?

Or we could follow Caligula's example and elect a horse. I bet it would do a better job than anyone running.

[Jamie D]

Anybody but...

OBAMA 2012

Really, what good has he accomplished in 3 years?

[VeryGnawty]

Really, what good has he accomplished in 3 years?

I think the more apt question is:

What sort of bad would any of the Republican candidates do over the next four years if they win the presidency?

[Jennifer]

How do the polls look for mr. Walker?

Hi Guantanamera,

Thanks for asking. According to the experts that I have been following, it doesn't look good for Walker. The original election was very close to begin with, but many republicans have said they will change their vote, along with the fence sitters (people who could vote for either party depending on which way the wind is blowing). Walker never mentioned in his campaign that he wanted to bust the unions and the very first thing he did after becoming governor was to take away the right of state union employees to negotiate with their employers, and reduced some of their benefits. As a result, public school teachers and many others will see smaller paychecks and reduced benefits. This was a shock to everyone including many who voted for him. He did promise to create jobs which is not happening. He also turned down over 800 million dollars in federal grants to build high speed rail in Wisconsin which would reduce traffic congestion and pollution and help the environment. This free money instead went to Ohio, Illinois and California. WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio) has had countless experts on their programs discussing this topic. Thank you NPR and WPR. This is why everyone should vote!

Jennifer

[Guantanamera]

Hi Guantanamera,

Thanks for asking. According to the experts that I have been following, it doesn't look good for Walker.
Jennifer

Is he up for recall in a special election or on the ballot in the general?

I can't remember, is your state a swing state or does it normally go Democratic?

[Jennifer]

Is he up for recall in a special election or on the ballot in the general?

I can't remember, is your state a swing state or does it normally go Democratic?

He is up for recall in a special election. Jan. 15 is the end of the 60 day petition signing period in which we need 540,000 signatures in order to force a special election. We already have more signatures than that however I am sure some will be thrown out as invalid. Never the less it seems to be a sure bet the election will happen. Walker is in bed with the billionaire Koch brothers and other "Big Business" Republicans and they are now pumping millions of dollars into the Wisconsin economy buying ads on T.V. etc. to try and influence an unwavering public with creative and deceptive adds that border on silly and downright untruthful. That is one way to help our local economy, thanks guys. They have one T.V. ad with a woman who claims to be a public school teacher who gives great praise to everything Walker has done. I have talked to hundreds of teachers and not a single one feels this way. Their incomes have been reduced and their workloads increased due to Walker slashing school funding in an attempt to balance the budget. No wonder our nation is falling behind the rest of the world in education.

Wisconsin has historically gone Democratic but we are now considered a swing state. The last presidential election we just barely went Democratic.

NOW GO OUT AND VOTE!

Jennifer

[MyAlias]

I sometimes vote! If I'm not busy or I feel it will make a diffrence.

[Guantanamera]

I sometimes vote! If I'm not busy or I feel it will make a diffrence.

Geez, what ever happened to get out the vote?

For everyone under the LBGTQ (ASERGYT etc. etc.) umbrella that doesn't vote, bigots are one-step closer to seriously delivering the hurt on our lives.

[Cindy]

I'm with Karen,
Compulsory voting in Australia. Personally I think it should be compulsory in every democratic country. At least everyone then has to take the blame for voting in the jerk. But we vote for individual members of a political party, the party with the majority is then the ruling party and they choose their leader. We don't officially vote for the Prime Minister.