bearhead wrote:It discomforts me to see how some people treat gay marriage and abortion like they're the greatest issues we face in this day and time. I don't say this against Obama, but to the biased voters who want a "free" America.
Making people believe they're free is the greatest form of dictatorship.
I guess it comes down to which particular freedoms you hold dear. Personally, I wouldn't be too fussed about losing the right to bear arms, for example, but there you go - there's the Englishman speaking out of turn for you.
fujee wrote:I find it so retarded how people cling on to that "right"
That constitution was written at a time when it was perhaps necessary to bear arms, now it's just used as an excuse for threatening behavoir.
You won't be saying that once the zombie apocalypse comes!
I did not vote. I will not participate in a 'lesser of two evils' game between two parties who are intrinsically linked to one another, funded by the same giant corporations, and that are both building the same business.
Look at that! I didn't lose my voice... although I've had a sore throat for the last couple days. Kind of frustrating.
bearhead wrote:It discomforts me to see how some people treat gay marriage and abortion like they're the greatest issues we face in this day and time. I don't say this against Obama, but to the biased voters who want a "free" America.
Making people believe they're free is the greatest form of dictatorship.
I guess it comes down to which particular freedoms you hold dear. Personally, I wouldn't be too fussed about losing the right to bear arms, for example, but there you go - there's the Englishman speaking out of turn for you.
This.^
All three things are very important to me, personally. I don't understand how someone can treat gay marriage as though it is not important. The vast majority of states don't even have civil unions, let alone marriages for gay couples. Some people believe that the rights given with a marriage such as hospital visitation to name one should be granted to gay couples by the federal government. I agree with this.
fujee wrote:Well, if i had to vote, it would obviously be for lesser of the two evils.
I think everyone would vote for the lesser of two evils (whatever they perceive that to be, hopefully their view isn't based on confirmation bias) if they had to.
The key here is that we don't have to...and taking part in an election you disagree with is certainly the first step in surrendering your point if view, if it is one of indifference regarding both viable candidates.
Rodheh wrote:I think everyone would vote for the lesser of two evils (whatever they perceive that to be, hopefully their view isn't based on confirmation bias) if they had to.
The key here is that we don't have to...and taking part in an election you disagree with is certainly the first step in surrendering your point if view, if it is one of indifference regarding both viable candidates.
i dont care about voting, its a pain in the arse. but i still do, because when i was a kid my humanities teacher spooked the whole class with the importance of voting just so idiots dont get in. i know its different in america but in the UK we've got the British National Party (bunch of violent homophobic racists basically) and theyve nearly got in before. i vote for anyone just to keep scum like that out....
I'm not big on politics, but I was proud to vote in my first election today now that I'm of age.
Anyway, a friend of mine wrote this the other day and I thought some of you might find it interesting. I've seen this guy eat, sleep, and breath politics since we were too small to reach the levers on a voting booth, so I just wanted to give him some well deserved exposure.
"Life is a stupid, meaningless thing that has nothing to teach you." -Slavoj Zizek
I've always been more concerned about running out of oil myself, but that's just me....
Anyways, here in California we get the extra privilege of voting on propositions! Yay! Though it really just burdens me. I never feel like I fully understand what's going on with them, nor do I really have the time to properly do so. Maybe it's just me, but I was thinking the other day it would be nice if instead of standing on street corners with signs screaming about whatever the issue is, they should be doing research on it instead. I dunno. I'll be glad when this is over.
fujee wrote:Regardless of whoever wins. They aren't going to do anything about climate change, which is obviously the most pressing issue we have to face.
What use is domestic and international policy and economic recovery if the planet is intolerable.
Unfortunately, many Americans "don't believe" in climate change. Part of a long campaign of propaganda that seems to have worked.
fujee wrote:Regardless of whoever wins. They aren't going to do anything about climate change, which is obviously the most pressing issue we have to face.
What use is domestic and international policy and economic recovery if the planet is intolerable.
Unfortunately, many Americans "don't believe" in climate change. Part of a long campaign of propaganda that seems to have worked.
Yes, the climate / environment is undoubtedly changing around us. There is no question. HOWEVER, the idea that us measly little peons are the cause of all of it because we use plastic bags and don't recycle every little thing we touch is PREPOSTEROUS and should NEVER be entertained.
I will instantly negate the existence of any politician who brings up the subject. Their goal is to put regulations and taxes on all of us to continue to fund THE BIGGEST human cause of climate change there is - the perpetuation of the war and military, which decimates more natural resources and pollutes the environment infinitely more than any one of us could ever do. Can you say FUCKING STUPID BULLSHIT?!
For the record, I sincerely believe it's when times seem the most bleak and when apathy cries the loudest, that your voice becomes the most vital.
As the west hurtles headlong into financial meltdown (you think the last 5 years have been bad?!? Check back in another 5 to 10...) as whole 'civilised' countries go down the pan (Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain...who gets pushed to the front of the crowd next?? Italy?) so viewpoints become more extreme and more entrenched, that's when strange and scary things happen. Paint enough people into a corner long enough and reactions become exaggerated.
It's true to an extent, vote for whoever you like, the government always gets in. A cliché? Perhaps. But then there are governments and there are governments. History teaches us this. I'm sure many of you are familiar with how the National Socialist German Workers' Party went from a laughing stock to gaining office off the back of the Great Depression. I'm also sure you're more than familiar with how that turned out.
Melodramatic perhaps. But many clichés are based on solid ground. Another one reads: You get the government you deserve.
