Rumors and Truth

[Shawnee123]

Well NOW you're just pissing me off, you $#@%^&%*.

Just messin'

[Shawnee123]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you: Classicman Palin!

[glatt]

Do you think it's fine for Republicans, like those at Liberty University, to sign up more Republicans to vote?

[classicman]

Originally Posted by glatt

You aren't being very clear.

Do you think it's fine for Republicans, to sign up more Republicans to vote?

Yes

Originally Posted by glatt

signing up homeless people to vote?

no*

* These are predominantly votes that are garnered to simply skew elections on a one time basis. The college students are much more likely to be voting in future elections and will be more educated and informed voters.
My personal opinion is that everyone should be registered to vote while in High School which would eliminate virtually any need for these organizations, both D & R equivalents to exist.

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by classicman

The college students are much more likely to be ... more educated and informed voters.

Horshit.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

Horshit.

IIRC, Smooth is a college teacher.

So am I (admittedly, in a different country).

I second his opinion.

A significant proportion of these kids don't have a bloody clue. Many more are totally apathetic. Those that are into politics are excitedly gobbling up whatever party line they first got a taste for. A very small number are actually intelligent, informed, and thoughtful.

[classicman]

yes, no - you see there are two questions there. Although, and I'll say it again to be clear, I do not view registering college students the same as registering people living on the street or in a shelter.

[glatt]

I'm not sure what "yes, no" means.

Are you saying that it's OK for Republicans, like those at Liberty University, to be signing up more Republicans to vote, but it's not OK for Democrats, like ACORN, to be signing up more Democrats, like the homeless people, to vote?

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by classicman

yes, no - you see there are two questions there. Although, and I'll say it again to be clear, I do not view registering college students the same as registering people living on the street or in a shelter.

*Blinks*

Have you any idea how many returning soldiers are living rough, on the streets of America's cities? One estimate I heard recently said about 150,000. Are you aware that entire families are sometimes homeless, with mum and the youngest living in lodgings and dad and older brother in whatever shelter they can find? How many of the homeless are just people who've somehow disappeared off the radar, slipped through the cracks and become non-people?

So there's a higher proportion of the homeless population suffering various forms of mental illness and drug/alcohol dependency than amongst the housed...at what point does mental illness render you unfit to vote? Depression? Suicidal tendencies? Taking nicks out of your arm with a razor blade of a nighttime? Bad dreams and panic attacks? None of these are reserved for those without a roof.

You seem morally appalled that these people might be swayed for the price of a hot meal; yet the Republican candidate stands in a town hall and says "I'll give you a $5,000 dollar, refundable tax credit..."


*shakes head* I'm going to step out of this discussion I think, before I fall out with people unnecessarily.

[Clodfobble]

Many states have a "Motor Voter" law, which connects registration to renewing your driver's license. Everyone who drives is basically automatically registered unless they take the time to opt out for some reason.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Good idea, don't let those pedestrians, and bicycle riding hippies, vote.

[Aliantha]

That's true Zen, but on the other hand (the one I think classic was getting at) is there are a hell of a lot of people out there who don't even have any basic intelligence or information on which to base their vote. I've been astounded at the statements some of the people I know have made about politicians and politics, and interestingly, the ones who make the most astounding statements are the ones with the least education.

I'm not saying this is the case for all, but I'd lay money on better educated people making more informed decisions...whether they've been informed with good or bad information is beside the point.

[Sundae]

Wow.
Sounds like adhereance to the Constitution, with all its byzantine twists and turns about God in schools and freedom of the press etc doesn't really apply when it comes to universal sufferage. Then again, the Declaration of Independence was written by slave owners, so I suppose it's not really worth the paper it's written on.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, except those that are black or live in trash cans, but all other men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, although not all of the governed should be allowed to vote.

[glatt]

classicman, I'm at a loss for words.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by DanaC

*Blinks*
You seem morally appalled that these people might be swayed for the price of a hot meal; yet the Republican candidate stands in a town hall and says "I'll give you a $5,000 dollar, refundable tax credit..."
*shakes head* I'm going to step out of this discussion I think, before I fall out with people unnecessarily.

I am not morally appalled at them at all. PLEASE do not put words in my mouth. The simple fact that their vote WILL be swayed as YOU put it is another reason these organizations should not use our tax dollars for their political agendas, whether I agree with them or not.

I am NOT attacking the people nor their fortunes or lack thereof in life.