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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,022,278 |
Question of the Week: 14 - 11/6/2000 The Unresolved US Election Did YOU vote? Which candidate did you vote for? How do you feel about the political wrangling going on right now in Florida? Will/Should either candidate concede for the good of the country-or should either/both fight it out until we all scream for mercy? How do you think either candidate, if declared the winner, will be able to bring the country together given the inference that the election results now point to an America that is almost equally divided into one camp or the other? And the BIG question-What, if any, impact will the final results have on the Pagan communities? |
| Reponses: There are 263 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Yes, I Voted...i Voted For Ralph Because He Talks Sense About... | Nov 10th. at 12:50:57 pm EST |
| Faintly Macbre (Turners Falls, Massachusetts US) | Age: 38 |
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Yes, I voted...I voted for Ralph because he talks sense about things I care about and that directly affect me...and if everyone who's said "I wanted to, but..." HAD, then the Green Party would've been eligible for gov't funding right now and on it's toddling way to being a viable third party AND there would've been negligible impact on the two "big guys'"knock-down-drag-out...Sigh. I'm afraid the two-party system has, once again, managed to sell its bill of goods... C'mon! We're Pagans!! We know all about the small workings that create big change...nudge a little quark here...drift a little nucleous there..and before you know it...you've got real change!! |
| After All The Religico-political Posturing Of The Last Year, I Gave Up... | Nov 10th. at 12:54:35 pm EST |
| Harmony (St. Petersburg, Florida US) | Age: 37 |
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After all the religico-political posturing of the last year, I gave up on either of the "mainstream" candidates (Bush and Lieberman were both making the hair on the back of my neck stand up), and voted for Nader. I've decided that the only "wasted" vote is the one made for a candidate I *don't* want to be president. |
| I Voted For Vp Gore. I'm Not Quite Sure What To Make... | Nov 10th. at 12:56:33 pm EST |
| Liz (White Lake, Michigan US) | Age: 22 |
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I voted for VP Gore. I'm not quite sure what to make of the current situation, other than to say that the "butterfly" ballots should not be used ever again. I think it's interesting that all this hoopla is happening in George W. Bush's brothers' state. While I am obviously biased on a recount (I did vote for Gore!), it still remains that Bush only won the state by an extremely narrow margin- and that mainly thanks to the tossed out ballots and possible misvotes in his favor towards Buchanan. I do think that this should be fought out by the Gore campaign, and frankly, if it happened in the reverse (Bush winning the popular vote, but possibly losing by the electoral vote) I would expect no less from the Republican side. Unfortunately as it stands now, either candidate will most likely have a doomed presidency, simply because there will always be a large 'other side' that feels his stay in office is illegitimate. As for how this will affect pagans, well, what self-respecting pagan would vote for Bush? Bush and Gore have totally different viewpoints....on everything from religion to abortion to the environment. On a not-so-serious note- why not just let Nader have the presidency and be done with it? Most people didn't vote for him, and if worse comes to worse, he'll at least be respective of the various issues that Gore supporters care about:) |
| I Voted A Straight Libertarian Ticket...and While I Knew Harry Brwone... | Nov 10th. at 1:05:09 pm EST |
| Amber Buck (Pasadena, Texas US) | Age: 27 - Email |
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I voted a straight Libertarian ticket...and while I knew Harry Brwone would not be elected I felt voting my concience was more important than voting in such a way as to obstruct a candidate I disliked. The Florida voting issue, doesn't seem that important to me. My candidate will not win the state either way. My only concern is over the possibility of a re-vote in which some voters may decide to change their 3rd party vote to one of Republican or Democratic vote in order to help make the ending vote numbers more decisive. I seriously doubt that either Bush or Gore will let America go with out a total legal free for all over the ballots and the ending tally's. It seems the media overkill on this will go on and on. I can't picture either candidate doing what's best for the country by conceding. They both owe too many people favors for that to happen. America is a house divided. The USA needed a powerful leader. Neither Bush nor Gore has the charisma or the willpower to pull the USA together. I see the next four years spent in near gridlock. As for the effect on the pagan community , i'm unsure. I don't believe either candidate will be able to do the pagan community much harm in the next 2 years. A little equality in Democratic vs. Republican represenatives will prevent any President from doing much of anything. It's a shame that this race ended the way it started....pointless. |
| When I Decided To Start Voting My Conscience, I Started Voting Libertarian... | Nov 10th. at 1:06:16 pm EST |
| Louie Verreault (Burleson, Texas US) | Age: 42 - Email |
|
When I decided to start voting my conscience, I started voting Libertarian, and consequently voted for Harry Brown this year. I'd been through all of the "you're throwing your vote away", "we don't need so-and-so in office", etc. My belief is that my freedoms are self-limited by restricting myself to a candidate that is one of two that will definitely win. I have voted in all presidential elections since 1976, and many other elections besides. Voting is one way for us to join our voices and express our desires. Mine is just one tiny, squeaky voice in this maelstrom. "The Libertarian way is a logically consistent approach to politics based on the moral principle of self-ownership. Each individual has the right to control his or her own body, action, speech, and property. Government's only role is to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud" and "the Libertarian Party is for all who don't want to push other people around and don't want to be pushed around themselves. Live and let live is the Libertarian way" (quotes from the LP webpage). I don't want anyone in my business or life unless they have my permission to be there. By consistently sticking by my guns, I believe I can keep my conscience clear, especially when things wind up in the position they're in now. Concerning Bush's "I don't think Wicca is a religion" statement; that's his opinion. Sure, it is a cause for concern! But he cannot dictate the way things will go, even though there may be some sabre-rattling by certain religious groups and attempts by those groups to curtail religious freedoms. There are too many people who are self-aware and will no longer tolerate intolerance. |
| I Voted For Vice President Gore. The Next President Will Have A... | Nov 10th. at 1:08:28 pm EST |
| Larry Hyatt (Boise, Idaho US) | Age: 58 - Email |
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I voted for Vice President Gore. The next president will have a great impact on the supreme court with probable appointment of two or three justices. People tend to be impatient and want results immediately after an election. A hundred years ago it took 4 to 6 weeks to count all the votes and be sure they had it right. We must take our time and be sure that the voice of the people is fairly represented. Remember, the press is trying to make us angry so it will be a bigger story. Whether we like it or not we are a part of humanity, America, Your State, your town, as well as your pagan community. We all make a difference with our vote as well as our energy. |
| I Have A Lot Of Different Thoughts On This Situation. First And... | Nov 10th. at 1:35:19 pm EST |
| Jennifer (Costa Mesa, California US) | Age: 28 - Email |
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I have a lot of different thoughts on this situation. First and foremost, I'm a democrat and voted for Gore. I haven't seen exact numbers in each state, but U do wonder exactly how Nader affected the outcome of the electoral votes in states other than Florida. If Gore had just won one more state--any other state, Bush would not have been able to have the 270 electoral votes he needed, even if Bush had Florida. If Bush gets in office, I don't want to hear people who voted for Nader complaining about Bushes conservative stance on ANYTHING! The Republicans are saying Gore should just bow out gracefully. I can't help but think if the situation were reversed, and the ballots had people so confused that they voted for Nader when they intended to vote for Bush, the Republican party would be screaming and making accusations of vote-fixing. This is the party that spent 50 million dollars and five years investigating one single land deal in Arkansas. When the shoe is on the other foot, it's different. The numbers I've heard today have Bush with 327 more votes than Gore. However, there were 1900 votes thrown out, and 3500 that went to Buchannan in a heavily democratic area. Even Buchannan says that's off. That makes 5400 votes in question. If they split them in half, that's 2700 more votes for Gore, which obviously puts him in the lead. At this point, I'd worry for whoever gets the Presidency. Congress is split very closely, as is the American public. Whoever ends up in office will not get anything done and will only be a one-term President. Think about the hard time the Republicans gave Clinton, and that's just because they didn't like him. There was not this type of controversy surrounding his right to be in office. I hate to say it, but I almost want Bush to keep his tiny lead. I worry about the Supreme Court issue, but any nominee has to be approved by Congress and that will be really difficult. And with Bush being such a moron, at least Jay Leno, Bill Maher, Dave Letterman and company will have great material for the next few years...... |
| The Shameful Oversights And Possible Vote Tampering That Such A Big Deal... | Nov 10th. at 1:38:34 pm EST |
| Isis Macnamara (Greenville, South Carolina US) | Age: 22 - Email |
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The shameful oversights and possible vote tampering that such a big deal is being made over are sadly probably pretty common place. I am willing to bet if you scrutinized every state the way we are scrutinizing Florida, the same kinds of problems would turn up. I strongly dislike Buchanan but I have to give him props for one thing. He has come out and said that he does not believe that the 3000 votes he recieved in the Palm Springs area were really for him, beccause it does not stand to reason that he should recieve so large a percentage of votes in one small area of Florida that he didn't even campaign in. Mad props also to the Bush supporters who are critisizing his behavior in just sitting back and saying nothing about the votes that were thrown out due to possible double voting, when we all know damn well if that had happened in a strongly Bush supporting area instead of the Gore supporting area that it did, Bush would be raising an unholy stink about it. The fact is, I don't really like either of them or their tactics and behavior during this entire mess.I voted for Nader. In fact, I wrote him in as he was not even on the ballot in SC. I did this because I don't like feeling like I am forced to choose between two candidates who I dislike. The two party system is antiquated and I beleive the Nader supporters saw his widespread grassroots campaign as exactly what he was quoted as saying after the election "This marks the begining of the end of the two party system". I don't want Bush as president, but frankly, I'm not real thrilled with the idea of Gore as president either. I think that this election has taught us two important things. One, the American people want more choice in government matters. Why couldn't Nader be in the debates? Why can't any and all of the approx. 8 candidates who stood any chance of gaining a measureable percentage of votes be allowed in the debates? So let them be 4 hours long, let them be 6. I'd be more likely to watch them at all in that case because they'd be really interesting. I know what people will say, "so you're willing to let Pat Buchanan spew his garbage on national TV?" Yes. If we are to have freedom in this, then he must too. That is the long and the short of it. It can't be freedom for some and if we want to silence him because of his beliefs, then we are no better than he and his ilk. Two I think this election has spectacularly demonstrated the weaknesses and failings of the electoral college. This is not the first time that a president has won the popular vote and lost the electoral college. No wonder the average american feels that their vote doesn't count. In the end, I won't apologize for voting for Nader and I don't think many of his supporters will. Politics is kind of like gambling and I don't think those that gambled on Naders getting 5% of the popular vote (and therefore the Green Party getting federal election help next election) feel that they have lost. He got 4% and while they won't get federal funding next time, the good showing that they made will undoubtedly get them larger and better private sponsers next time around. I think the country is ready to make some major changes and I am ready to be a part of them. |
| I Voted For Gore. I Think The Current Situation Was Bound To... | Nov 10th. at 1:40:22 pm EST |
| Terri (South Bend, Indiana US) | Age: 36 |
|
I voted for Gore. I think the current situation was bound to happen sooner or later. Let's work with it. I don't feel that the electorial college should be eliminated. If it wasn't for the college then the politicains would only focus on the highly populated areas of the country and the rest of us would get left out of the mix. I do think that we need to find a better way to represent the popular vote however. My take on this would be to follow Main and Nebraskas example, but take it even a bit further. Split the electorial vote according to the regions of the state. In otherwords, if one representives' area holds the popular vote for say, Democrats, then that representitive should be held responsible to cast their vote to that party. This should follow through out each region of the state, with each rep voting the electorial in favor of the popular vote of that area. Then give an additional 2 electorial votes for the over all state popular vote. I believe that's the most effective way to get a true reading of the peoples choice while still maintaining an organized structure. I do find it rather amusing that in the event of a tie, the decision goes to the House. If the House ties it goes to the Senate. If the Senate ties the Vice President gets the decideing vote. Wouldn't that be a kick?! Today's Headlines, "Al Gore votes himself into office." To me, the worst idea of Bush ending up in office, is that the 3 Supreme Court positions that could open up would be filled by major conservitives under his direction. This carries with it implications for the Pagan community that goes way beyond a 4 or 8 year term in office. After all those positions are held for a lifetime. They could end up with the power to lead this nation down a conservitive right winged path if they so choose. Then we're really taking about how the lives of our chlidren will be effected. I think if Bush gets in there and names the judges, we'll all have to fight much harder to make sure our children have the right to worship as they see fit. |
| I Voted For Ralph Nader And Winona Laduke. Though I Appreciate Gore's... | Nov 10th. at 1:46:18 pm EST |
| Peg Aloi (Medford, Massachusetts US) | Age: 37 |
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I voted for Ralph Nader and Winona LaDuke. Though I appreciate Gore's stance on many issues, especially the environment and reproductive rights, he is in favor of the death penalty and that is an important issue to me. I also find his reluctance to admit to his previous marijuana use, in light of his tendency to think marijuana possession should be punishable with jail time, to be very hypocritical. I live in Massachusetts where Nader was a pretty "safe" vote, as Bush had little or no chance to carry this state (hello to whoever that is in Turners' Falls, BTW! I used to live out in that area and it is lovely). I also felt a need to vote with my conscience and not out of fear, and I have certainly felt like a pariah among liberal Democrats who have accused Nader voters of being selfish and not in touch with reality. To me, the reality is that there is very little difference between the two major parties and that a Third Party (or more!) is sorely needed which is not in the back pocket of big corporations. The influence of corporate America upon government has grown more insidious with each passing year and I feel it adversely affects the democratic system of voting we have in this country. This election cost just about THREE BILLION DOLLARS. I think that is obscene. That sort of money could feed starving children in America or elsewhere. It could buy sorely needed renovations and supplies for schoolchildren and teachers. It could clean up toxic waste dump sites that large corporations, though they have been sued for making these messes and legally ordered to make such repearations, have refused to do. This money could purchase national nature preserves and protect them from development. It could assist the elderly in paying for their prescription medications which are outrageously expensive in this country (many seniors charter bus trips to Canada where they purchase their drugs for less than half what they cost here!) This money could fund drug treatment programs for incarcerated non-violent drug offenders, who are crowding our prisons and not receiving the medical treatment they need for their addictions. It could assist the millions of people who do not currently have health insurance. This money could be allocated for urban renewal in run-down neighborhoods where people live in squalor amid crime and ruined tenements. It could fund after-school programs for kids whose parents both work and can't be home after school. and on and on... But instead this obscene amount of money is used to fund campaigns for candidates who are nearly indistinguishable from each other. Mr. Nader and Ms. LaDuke are not perfect, nor is The Green Party. But I was willing to risk four years of the evil Dubya in order to help effect change that may take some years to achieve. If we do not make a beginning, if we do not trust our instincts, if we continue to cast votes against candidates we hate insetad of for candidates we love, how on earth will we ever move forward? The Earth needs us. As pagans we have a responsibility to make our worship of the Earth manifest every day: we are her protectors and stewards, and it falls to us to undo the damage and harm that has been done to her. Ralph and Winona call her Mother Earth, as I do. That one detail speaks volumes to me. That is why I voted Green. |
| Yes I Did Vote, And Feel That The Recount Should Be Stoped... | Nov 10th. at 1:55:49 pm EST |
| David Griffin (Land O' Lakes, Florida US) | Age: 40 - Email |
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Yes I did vote, and feel that the recount should be stoped and a new florida vote be taken (just in Florida) so much is riding on this State that we can't afford to let anything stand in the way of a Fair Election. |
| Who I Voted For Is No One's Business But My Own. I... | Nov 10th. at 1:57:59 pm EST |
| Tinnekke (South Bend, Indiana US) | Age: 33 - Email |
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Who I voted for is no one's business but my own. I haven't even told my husband, though I'm sure he has a good idea. To me, this election has shown exactly how much the individual vote can count. That is the most important fact from this election as we're talking about a margin of victory either way that might up ending being a few hundred votes. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about how the government gets run, and that's all there is to it. Let's all take some important lessons from what has happened, let the Florida people get on with their job, and realize no matter who wins, we have Congressional gridlock for the next two years, so not much is going to happen. |
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