[Novalug] OT: Re: Remember to vote!

[ethan at 757.org]

> That can easily be fixed with a few election reforms. Start writing your
> congressman !

"Hi Congressperson, could you please put an option that says these two 
candidate sucks, and that we want them banned from running for president 
again?"

> Sometimes there are good reasons people running for office don't get a
> good broad backing.

Some people feel threatened by people smarter than them. A big portion of 
America just isn't well educated. I mean, a *HUGE* portion of the 
population of the USA still believes in an invisible sky wizard looking 
down on them, and answering their mental thoughts.

> Well - do you want the good old times in George Washington's time, that
> only MEN, over 35, owning land could vote?? You'll find that a lot of
> young usually "revolt" against what they think is wrong politics of
> their parents. The issue is to get the young involved, and not like you
> give up before the battle is even fought.

I'm 32. And yes, the gov't is catering to so-called land owners, you know, 
the STUPID people who gambled and bought expensive houses... in an 
investment move the totally backfired, cause they are greedy. But now the 
gov't is working to bail them out (to keep them in this debt), even though 
the people don't really want it. Nothing we can do will stop the 
stupidlity, and both major candidates are for this stupidity. The good 
news is nothing they can do will fix it, letting the property values 
crater is the only real solution. USA is a house of cards, and it's 
falling. Too much debt and greed. And the gov't is full of these people, 
and there isn't much we can do to get rid of them.

It is kind of refreshing watching it fail. I mean, after expecting it to 
for 5 years.

> Sure you can. It's the "revolutionary talk" that's crap. All this system
> require is involvement. As long as you/we ignore the powers that be,
> things will not change. But we have that ability, and it needs to be
> used. I agree with you there. But your way takes away that ability -
> it's the guy with the biggest stick that wins. That hasn't brought
> anything good according to my history books.

I don't ignore them. I've very outspoken. But when you're going against 
the majority it's a loosing battle. Sometimes you have to sit back and 
watch others fail.

> Heh - all events are shows when it comes down to it. 21 months - and
> talking about the same stuff over and over again - you have to make it
> entertaining or everyone will fall asleep. The depression had 20-25%
> unemployment - in a time where mostly men worked - so with today's
> standards that would be around 40%. That will most likely not happen
> again. But so more the reason to be interested in who/how the current
> situation gets handled.

Hmmmm we'll see. Still got a couple of trillion dollars in property values 
to give up. All employment gains since bush took office can be directly 
related to the housing mania, which was a credit bubble. All these jobs 
will go away (true, it wasn't *that* many). And yea you've got people 
retiring, but in America (at least the young people) are pushed into 
putting their retirment savings into the casino called the stock market by 
means of 401Ks and what not. Now I'll admit I have very little stock, and 
may look to buy in in a few years once it's down much farther.... but I'm 
seeing older people who trusted "the system" down by a huge amount.

> Lastly I concur with Greg - you can do so much more than vote. Get
> involved; run yourself; help the candidate you think has the best chance
> - 3rd party or one of the two usual ones. It doesn't take a lot of
> people thinking like you, before the self-fulfilling prophesy comes
> true.

I go against the grain, and people don't like it when I tell them their 
shitty house is only really worth 50% of what they think it is. And 
that children under the age of 18 should be banned from churches. Many of 
my views are unpopular with the masses (but I sure like em!)