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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,015,811 |
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.... And I Voted For Gore. Not Out Of Any... | Nov 10th. at 2:11:57 pm EST |
| Seabhac (Concord, California US) | Age: 28 - Email |
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Yes, I voted.... And I voted for Gore. Not out of any real sense of loyalty to the candidate or what he stands for, but for one very dear reason to me - religious acceptance. I reviewed what I could of Nader's information, and found *nothing* on his stance on religion. At least Gore (and his handlers) would probably not push religious conservatism (yes, I know he's a Southern Baptist, and Lieberman's Orthodox - both conservative). But as far as I can tell, the "Democrats" don't raise a hullabaloo about religion. If I had known for certain what Nader's stance was/is on the subject, I could have made my decision in better conscience. As it was, I said to my friends afterwards, "If I voted, why don't I feel good about it?" To me, I was choosing the lesser of two evils that actually would be elected. As for the Florida question, we have laws in our country, and in that state, that supposedly cover sitations like this. No matter how absurd those laws are at this point in time, we should follow them. Then, as soon as the dust settles, we (meaning all of us who are disgusted with the system) need to get out and work as hard as we can to change the way our 'leader' is elected. Frankly, I don't believe we'll all revert to the Reagan/Bush era over then next few years, but everything that happens will ripple outwards, and affect all of us. This simply means that the Pagan community will need to be more active politically - as much as we might like to stay in the broom closet. Without being active, we might as well hang our besoms out to dry, close our eyes and pray to God and Goddess that everything works out. If Shrub Jr. wins, it may prove a great motivator to those Pagans who consider themselves more liberal. If Gorebot wins, we may sigh in relief, and consider ourselves lucky until the next challenge to our beliefs comes along. In either case, it seems necessary to not freeze in fear, or relax our guard. Everything we believe in comes down to this point - Are we witches, with the power to change the world, or are we simply waiting for the world to change around us? |
| Yes, I Did Vote. It's Almost Been Bred Into Me To Vote... | Nov 10th. at 2:28:22 pm EST |
| Diana Rajchel Olsen (Mankato, Minnesota US) | Age: 25 - Email |
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Yes, I did vote. It's almost been bred into me to vote -- I'm one of those rare Wiccan DAR members out there, and if civic duty had a deity, that would likely be one of my patrons! I did vote for Gore, not as a vote for GORE, but as a vote against Bush. Bush terrifies me. Anyone who goes so far as to change his driver's license number so people can't trace his records has far too much to hide, and his statement that the first amendment does not apply to witchcraft suggests that he doesn't have a good enough understanding of the Constitution to serve as President. That and the whole witch-hunt situation makes me very nervous, as I'd be a good target. I'm younger with less resources, public and an "up and comer". And our country tends to repeat the McCarthy paranoia. The other thing that really disturbs me is the sheer number of votes that were thrown out or misapplied! 19, 000 voters had their ballots tossed out on the assumption that if they hit two holes, they weren't smart enough to vote. I don't believe that, no matter what party they voted for -- our country has a long history of interfering with voters rights' to control the outcome. This is a classic example... I'm irate, and if Bush is elected, I'm moving to Canada. That's it. I will not stay in a country run by that sociopath... |
| How Do You Feel About The Political Wrangling Going On Right > Now... | Nov 10th. at 2:38:57 pm EST |
| Coyote (Boston, Massachusetts US) | Age: 34 - Email |
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> How do you feel about the political wrangling going on right > now in Florida? It is troubling. While I would have prefered Gore to have won, I still find this horribly disappointing. Both of them are looking somewhat less than presidential as spokespeople for both sides wrangle back and forth. > Will/Should either candidate concede for the good of the > country-or should either/both fight it out until we all scream > for mercy? I would like to see this end with the recount (when it finally ends properly on the 17ths) and not go to litigation. Bush would be the president with a tainted presidency and a slim majority in the house. In four years, the democrats would be a strong position to take back the White House. I doubt that will happen, as I find both men have larger than healthy egos and both are being pushed closer and closer to a position where they don't feel that they can't backdown. > 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? I think it would be difficult. JFK was able to do with with his force of his charisma, even though he won a narrow victory over Nixon. Neither of the current candidates is a Jack Kennedy. The next four years will be uglier and more partison than the last. > And the BIG question-What, if any, impact will the final > results have on the Pagan communities? If Bush is in charge, he has a lot of promises to keep to the right wing of his party. That can't be good for pagans or anyone that doesn't agree with their views of the world. |
| Which Candidate Did You Vote For? --gore How Do You Feel About... | Nov 10th. at 2:48:45 pm EST |
| Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (Penngrove, California US) | Age: 58 - Email |
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Which candidate did you vote for? --Gore How do you feel about the political wrangling going on right now in Florida? --This is the state where the Republican candidate's brother is governor. It is the state where all the ex-Cuban Mafia and CIA dudes ended up. The backroom politics in Florida is probably comprable to Las Vegas, Chicago, or New Orleans. Will/Should either candidate concede for the good of the country-or should either/both fight it out until we all scream for mercy? --I think there should be a revote in the "butterfly ballot" counties, with a regular linear ballot, this time. This is what the people in those counties want, and I think we should support them in this. 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? --If Bush wins, potentially the same result that the election of Adolf Hitler had on the Jewish communities... --If Gore wins, having someone in the White House who at least understands who we really are, and has written a very insightful book essentially championing paractically everything we feel is important. A book which we will be able to quote from as we appeal to the White House on these issues. |
| Both My Husband And I Voted After Deliberating Which Candidate Best Fit... | Nov 10th. at 3:13:01 pm EST |
| Anne Rutherford (Mechnicsville, Maryland US) | Age: 53 - Email |
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Both my husband and I voted after deliberating which candidate best fit our views. Since Mr. Bush doesn't think my religion is real, he didn't get my vote. I doubt either candidate will concede for the good of the country, that hasn't happened since 1960. The only real remaining question is whether or not the "confusing" ballot in one district in Florida will be revoted. I seriously doubt that a re-vote will take place - there isn't a prescedent for it in law. That will mean that 19, 000 votes will be lost. At this point, whomever is declared the winner has no clear "mandate" from the people; will inherit a divided House and Senate; and will need to be a stateman and be able to envoke or provoke cooperation from both parties to pass any legislation. The people are saying that their don't completely trust either major party and prefer not to give either party a clear ability to pass their legislative agenda. Both candidates claim the art of statemanship. I didn't see lots of examples of it at the end of the campaigns. Historically, those without Federal Government experience (i.e., house of senate membership) haven't been able to hammer out compromised deals well. They simply aren't up to speed on how it's doen (right or wrong) and the learning curve can be steep. The results on the pagan community - will depend largely on whether or not a conservative religious minority in this country create the illusion of a "mandate" for prayer in schools, mingling of church and state issues. Again, however with a nearly evenly divided House and Senate, finding a 2/3's majority will be diffiult. The long range implications for this President will be the appointment of Supreme Court Justices. Since the selection process requires agreement between the two houses of the legislature, the best we can hope for will be a middlel-of-the-road candidate that may go either way. What we may actually see, is government run by business interests, pretty much unfettered. If that's the case, you'll see more division on OSHA requirements, requests for less enforcement of ADA, tax relief for business, less stringent EPA enforcement, etc. I don't think it will mean much health care reform will take place, and other protective measures will suffer |
| Yes I Did Vote..i Voted For Bush And It Really Wasnt... | Nov 10th. at 3:20:07 pm EST |
| John (Richmond, Indiana US) | Age: 22 - Email |
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Yes I did vote..I voted for Bush and it really wasnt for religious freedom reasond, we are garenteed that in our constitution which is being dissected to pieces right now...but the main reason I chose Bush to gore is from a sexual orientation stand point..IM gay, and one thing that really turned me off to gore was his involvement and support of www.godhatesfags.com Gore helped get this thing started and is even mentioned on the site. It is a sick site explaining how God hates gay people and they even go so far as to put a picture of the slain Matthew Shepard ingulfed in flames saying matthews message from Hell. No matter what one believes religiously, this is just something a group shouldnt do. It is an attack on an innocent person condeming them and I dont want my next president to support such an act. I feel that the mix up of voting is a wake up call from the Lord and Lady that Neither canidate is worthy of office..in 2004, maybe a pagan should run! |
| Merry Meet All, I'm From Palm Beach County, Florida, And I Have... | Nov 10th. at 3:20:48 pm EST |
| Theresa (Boynton Beach, Florida US) | Age: 34 |
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Merry Meet all, I'm from Palm Beach County, Florida, and I have to admit, I did ask for another card to vote a second time, as I had accidently voted for Buchanan instead of Nader. There was no problem, they gave me a card and I inserted it right, and voted! Buchanan has over 3000 votes in my county alone. Even he said that wasnt right and we need to vote over again. There are a lot of old folks here, and maybe in this case it would be a good idea. I do not know anyone who wants Bush to win this election. Of course I dont assciate myself with materialist people or big-time gun owners either. (Not much use for a gun in FL). If Bush wins, we are all in trouble, everything will take a step back in progress, Pagans, homosexuals, not to mention the rest of America becoming as polluted as Texas!! Bush only cares about $$$, and times are changing. I hope in 4 years people will be ready for Nader, a man who for 30 years has changed the US for the better in many ways like starting the clean-air-water act, and air bags for cars. He wants to stop commercial logging and abuse at the factory farms--he speaks with his soul, not like Bush who wants a vote-so will say whatever he thinks will get it. If we get to vote again, I will have to vote for Gore this time--Bush cannot get into office!!!!!!!!! |
| Unfortunately I Wasn't Able To Vote... In Pennsylvania, If You Don't Register... | Nov 10th. at 3:28:44 pm EST |
| Oaktree (Never Mind) | Age: 30 |
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Unfortunately I wasn't able to vote... In Pennsylvania, if you don't register before a certain date you have to "vote your party" and I pretty much refuse to pick a party because they all have problems in my opinion. But I can say that if I would have been able, I would have voted for Gore, due mainly to the fact that I am a Wiccan serving in the military. Bush has said that Wicca (witchcraft) is not a religion and doesn't belong in the Military. Well He is wrong, I have met many Wiccans in the military who have spent many years defending the right to choose their own religion. If Bush has his way we will not be able to have services on base, which does happen in quite a few places now. I'm also afraid that if he becomes president, he will exercise his power with Executive Orders to ban Wiccans and Pagans from the military all together. Unfortunately, he will have that power if he wins!!! as for Florida... Fix the ballots where nessecary and let all of Florida vote again. As far as I'm concerned, that was NOT a fair vote. |
| My Name Is Staria Cannon Belle. The Mood Surrounding Me And My... | Nov 10th. at 3:29:17 pm EST |
| Staria Cannon Belle (Norman, Oklahoma US) | Age: 28 |
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My name is Staria Cannon Belle. The mood surrounding me and my friends has been like the election: uncertain and tight. It is all up the Florida now, whatever the outcome. I voted for Gore for several reasons: 1) his pro-choice stance. I am a long time feminist, and as the Goddess worshipper that I am, women's health and lives should not be dictated by older, white men in business suits who have absolutely no idea what the women's experience is like. These right-wingers, in my opinion, believe that women who are comforable in expressing themselves and enjoying their sexuality are evil and should be harshly repremanded. It is my sober opinion that George W. is one of that "gang". 2) In an earlier statement concerning gays and Wiccans serving in the military, Gore stated that America was built with the purpose of promoting freedom of religion. When asked the same question, Bush made it abundantly clear of the distaste that he felt for the Pagan community, saying that he wouldn't allow Wiccan military to practice their religion. And finally, 3) I think Bush is all talk and his actions do not reflect his promises. Look how he treated Texas. Do we really need someone like that to run the country? Gore, in my opinion, is a man of substance, a lover of the environment and of freedom as a whole. If Florida says that Bush is the winner, I can see darker days ahead... |
| Although I Am Only 16, And Cannot Vote, I Want Gore To... | Nov 10th. at 3:31:31 pm EST |
| Lola (Livonia, Michigan US) | Age: 16 |
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Although I am only 16, and cannot vote, I want Gore to win. He can do the job right. But, part of me wants Bush to win. For the simple fact that he will send our economy down the drain, and when Hilary runs for president in 2004, she will win. Finally, our first woman president. Bush is evil though. grrr to him. |
| I'm From Holland So At First Glance If I Could Vote I'd... | Nov 10th. at 3:48:00 pm EST |
| Digger3 (Doorn, Netherlands) | Age: 16 - Email |
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I'm from Holland so at first glance if I could vote I'd vote for gore, but the great thing about all this, is that amerika is always such a big nation, we are so good, we are in front with this, we are the best, etc. Finally this big nation feels small, they cannot even do an election well. That is (for me) a great thing to see, no one is perfect, nor am I. |
| I Live In England And We're All Having A Good Old Laugh... | Nov 10th. at 3:54:54 pm EST |
| Celestial Lily (Surrey, England UK) | Age: 17 |
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I live in England and we're all having a good old laugh at the 'mickey mouse' way the election has been handled. No offence, but it does sound quite ridiculous; Bush is declared president then they're not sure then a recount then dispute over oversees votes then confusion over voting slips then threats of legal action etc. I wonder what'll happen next. PS I want Gore to win cos I was offended by Bush's comments. |
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