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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,026,491 |
Question of the Week: 1 - 8/7/2000 Who are you going to vote for and why? Which political platform or candidate are you leaning towards? Do you think that a level of political involvement is important to pagans? Are you registered to vote, will you vote and who -if you don't mind telling the world- are you planning to vote for (or against)? |
| Reponses: There are 233 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| As I Have Stated Before, It's The Dems. For Me This Time... | Aug 9th. at 11:16:35 am EDT |
| Steven E. Repko (Mays Landing, New Jersey US) | Age: 43 - Email |
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As I have stated before, it's the Dems. for me this time. I am pleased to see that most pagans surveyed think before they vote, I guess we are a minority in two ways. I have been watching the posts closely and unfortunately many of us fail to realize the gravity of the particular election as it relates to us as pagans. The next President could easily end up appointing Justices to the Supreme Court. You can vote for anyone Federal or Local because they believe what you want them to, but when push comes to shove, the Supreme Court rules (literally). Even though I do not believe that you will ever lose you right to choose or your freedom of religion (and neither does the Christian Coalition really), a conservative court could easily allow: REGULATION. Regulation in recent years has become viewed as a Òfair modificationÓ to sensitive issues, a Òreasonable compromiseÓ or a Òpublic safety measureÓ. We have used regulation to combat Òdrunk drivingÓ by making it illegal to have (in some places for some people) two beers and driving (no I donÕt drink and yes I have had someone VERY close to me killed by one). We have used it to combat Òneedless violenceÓ, to the point that shooting an attacker in your own home is a crime that YOU go to jail for and then get sued for later (guess you should have spent that 20 mins. getting through to 911). A simple blood test before a Òmarriage licenseÓ (figure out why we need one at all) can tell you if there is a possibility of Òvenereal diseaseÓ. Strangely enough (depending on the tests used and the state) in some cases it can tell you whether the person you are marrying has been Òracially honestÓ on the application. It can mean filling out hundreds of forms to get a ÒlicenseÓ to have a Church, or it can mean a criteria that precludes you from even filling for it. It can mean that all abortions require Òprior counselingÓ by an Òappointed mediatorÓ. It could even mean waiting years before applying for a divorce and additional years before it can become final. Regulation can easily become a strong deterrent against exercising many of the freedoms we take for granted everyday. It doesnÕt take away our rights, it just postpones them or makes them expensive. Believe it or not, there was a country that had no: Income Taxes, Car Registration, Brewery licenses, mercantile licenses, zoning ordinances, the list goes on forever, and it was the USA. If you believe regulation is a good thing, imagine being a ÒregisteredÓ Jew in WWII Germany or Soviet Russia and then tell your children that it canÕt happen here. Remember that there were many good people in both countries that didnÕt like the idea but Òthere was nothing we could doÓ, sounds familiar. |
| While I Am Not Fond Of Either Of The Two Presidential Candidates... | Aug 9th. at 11:25:27 am EDT |
| Travis Kidd (Nampa, Idaho US) | Age: 25 - Email |
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While I am not fond of either of the two presidential candidates, George W. Bush or Al Gore, who, by the polls, and statistically are the front-running contenders--I woul have to say I would rather choose the lesser of the two evils, which would be current Vice-President and democratic nominee Al Gore. Republican condender, George W. Bush had lost my vote long ago with his anti-pagan statements about Wicca and similiar religions 'not being real religions', quotes are his. I find it sad that someone who is to be the Chief Executive does not realize Wicca it's self has been a recognized religion since 1985, if I am correct on the date. Now some may think that I'm just not voting for him because of some of his statements against paganism. That isn't it at all. I will now compare Bush and Gore on how well they know their job. First off, I will address the fact that Gore actually has a set job as vice-president and does some real 'grunt-work' helping out President Clinton. For those who don't know, George W. Bush, as governor of Texas, doesn't really do much. The Governorship of Texas is largely a symbolic position as he doesn't really have a lot of power, he obviously can't be doing much to make changes to his state as much as his state legislature and senate can--therefore he lacks executive skills in my opinion in areas of making important decisions concerning a large amount of people. Second of all is foreign policy. Al Gore has traveled all around the world as Vice-President meeting dignitaries and heads of other nations, as well as supported President Clinton during his visits. As for George W. Bush, he has virtually no foregin experience with other nations, he has spent the last eight years working for big oil companies, managing his pro-sports team, and being a pretend-governor in Texas while Gore has done a perfectly fine job the last eight years on foreign policy and related issues. Third, big oil companies and related companies. George W. Bush hangs out with the rebublican rich, and I am almost positive, that if he is elected to the Whitehouse all the ecosystems and national park areas which have been saved under the Clinton Adminisration will slowly be eroded away as Bush's special interest big-time company buddies lobby him for more access to protected land to drill for oil, logging, housing, and you name it. Fourth, and the one which frightens me the most. If George W. Bush is elected, he will also have the ear of the notoriously strong lobbying religious right, which has been very vocal, especially lately, about limiting personal religious and civil freedoms on many different fronts in this country, not to mention abortion, homosexuality, non-majority religion's rights, and so on. So, in closing I say, choose the lesser of two evils, Al Gore. |
| I Will Say It Loudly And Proudly! Come November I Will Be... | Aug 9th. at 12:14:31 pm EDT |
| Green (Atlanta, Georgia US) | Age: 29 - Email |
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I will say it loudly and proudly! Come November I will be voting for Harry Brown and the Libertarian party. The libertarians are the party of individual rights, and personal responsibility. They are committed to stripping the government down to the core functionality nessecary to run the country rather than supporting the industry of populace control through taxation. People say that as a third party, the Libertarians have no chance. I say that if even half of those who agree with their philosopies went ahead and voted libertarian anyway, we could change the political climate of this country. |
| I'm 100% Behind Gov. George W. Bush. I'm A Political Science Major... | Aug 9th. at 12:26:53 pm EDT |
| Winter (Worcester, Massachusetts US) | Age: 18 - Email |
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I'm 100% behind Gov. George W. Bush. I'm a Political Science major who generally identifies herself as a libertarian, and fears for this country if Al Gore gets elected. While I agree with Harry Browne more than Bush, I am reluctant to cast my vote for him since I would essentially be helping Gore. I am registered and active on several local campaigns, so I will definately turn out to vote. |
| Political Orientation Try These Web-based Forms To Find Out What Parties/candidates... | Aug 9th. at 12:30:34 pm EDT |
| Green (Atlanta, Georgia US) | Age: 29 - Email |
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Political Orientation Try these web-based forms to find out what parties/candidates you most agree with. The results may surprise you World Smallest Political Quiz: http://www.lp.org/quiz/ Select a Candidate: http://www.speakout.com/SelectSmart/ Political Party Matchmaker http://www.3pc.net/matchmaker/index.html |
| The Establishment Always Says, "if You Don't Vote, Don't Complain". Remember Richard... | Aug 9th. at 1:09:13 pm EDT |
| Saille (Federal Way, Washington US) | Age: 47 - Email |
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The establishment always says, "if you don't vote, don't complain". Remember Richard Nixon???, I have given the system a chance for years. From that time on I have felt that the democratic system in this country is corrupt and will never be fair. I have felt that politicians are liars, and may have good intentions, once they are in office, they are controlled by forces that are not part of the public picture. No matter what the platform, no matter what the promise - the "real" government - conintues with their agenda. Yes, what a noble idealistic concept Democracy is, but from someone who was born in the Eisenhower era, saw Kennedy and MLK assasinated, watched Nixon's corrupt regime, eventually watched as a "New World Order" was brought into play with Geo. Bush. Yes I will vote. Because as a Pagan I feel very vulnerable. The Right Wing and Christian Zealot Coalitions are very powerful political entities. I see no Pagan representation except on grass roots levels. A Pagan politician would be committing political suicide to "come out". It is very important for us to continue to keep our voices heard, in local, state and national arenas. Yes, I will vote this year - and it will probably be for Ralph Nader. |
| I Am Leaning Towards Libertarian Presidential Candidate :harry Browne. Check Out Http... | Aug 9th. at 1:10:35 pm EDT |
| Amber Buck (Pasadena, Texas US) | Age: 26 - Email |
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I am leaning towards LIBERTARIAN presidential candidate :HARRY BROWNE. Check out http://www.harrybrowne.org/ if you haven't heard about his platforms yet. I think political involvement is / should be important to every American citzen, pagan or non-pagan. I am a registered and participating voter. |
| Yes I'm Registered To Vote. I Plan To Vote For Gore. I... | Aug 9th. at 6:35:27 pm EDT |
| mothermary (Salem, Massachusetts US) | Age: 24 - Email |
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Yes I'm registered to vote. I plan to vote for Gore. I think most of the crap the government does isn't worth my time. But Bush is way to into the Christian Coalition, and as an American, I will not have my religious freedom taken away. I don't necessarily believe in anything Gore says, but I would prefer a President who is neutral on relgion, than one who is so against anything but Christianity. I see scary things with Bush as president, so I'll vote for the guy who has a chance to beat him. To me that makes most sense. If I vote for someone else who has a slim chance of winning, even if I agree with him more, that gives Bush a better chance at winning. So hell no - I won't go. I may be the only one of my friends who will vote, but I believe in responsibility. If you let other people do the voting and don't bother - don't bother to complain. You let the fates handle your life instead of taking part in it. That goes against the whole principle freedom of the Craft. You Make your own life. Not let someone else dictate to you how to live.... |
| I Could Not Wait To Turn 18 So I Could Vote. While... | Aug 9th. at 6:52:56 pm EDT |
| Cassandra (Taylor, Michigan US) | Age: 23 - Email |
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I could not wait to turn 18 so I could vote. While many people in my generation believe that voting is worthless, I believe it is not only my right, but my duty. I think that political involvement is important for many reasons. Being pagan, I often feel that the Right Wing politicians are constantly trying to force there beliefs down my throat. I'm a liberal and am truely independant. I'm still not sure who I will vote for in the presidential election, but after watching most of the republican convention I'm fairly sure it will not be George W. Bush! |
| The Green Party/ Ralph Nader Yes. Without Some Kind Of Toehold In... | Aug 9th. at 7:23:06 pm EDT |
| pythia (White Plains, New York US) | Age: 27 - Email |
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The Green Party/ Ralph Nader Yes. Without some kind of toehold in politics no changes will be able to be made within the system. Yes I am registered, will vote and will continue to vote Green here on in. |
| I Tend To Lean Towards Republicans Because My Husband Is In The... | Aug 9th. at 7:30:29 pm EDT |
| Cheryl (San Diego, California US) | Age: 30 - Email |
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I tend to lean towards Republicans because my husband is in the military and I have watched our standard of living deteriorate under Clinton and his cutbacks. Most, Jr. Enlisted qualify for food stamps or other government assistance. Our husbands deploy more often, do to the cut backs in personnel of the early to mid 90's. As for religion, I am "trusting" they just wont go there. I feel that big government must go and the DNC is big on government. Most issues must be dealt with at a local level. I also believe that the government must get its hands out of my pocket. The DNC also promotes class envy. This is negative. Why not promote opportunity for all? I have no problem paying to feed hungry children, but not promoting class envy. Why not, instead, make sure everyone has the same opportunities. I am for school valtures, and why not make college education free for those who can't afford it? If feel that if food, clothing, housing and a good education are available to all, everyone has an equal chance to make it. The government has been "trying" to provide this, but they have failed. It needs to be taken to a local level and let the people who really care, make the decisions, not some bureaucrat who only cares what is going on in THEIR life. |
| My Wife And I Are Registered Democrats. We Strongly Support The Gore-lieberman... | Aug 9th. at 8:01:18 pm EDT |
| Big Bear(Beary Bipolar,Richard) (New Haven, Connecticut US) | Age: 44 - Email |
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My wife and i are registered Democrats. We strongly support the Gore-Lieberman ticket.As Jesse Jackson said when a barrior goes down for one group it goes down for them all(paraphrase).Perhaps in my friends' grandchidrens' lifetime someone who is out of the broomcloset will hold a high office in the U.S. I am also hopeful that in the same time frame folks who are out of the attic and out of the closet will have the same priviledge/responsibilty. Losing focus . . . Blessed be, Big Bear(Beary Bipolar, Richard) beary1956@webtv.net bearybipolar:diary of a mental health consumer/survivor http://www.angelfire.com/ct/bearybipolar/index.html |
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