Languish Presidential Election!

[Syt]

Listening to yet another radio report about the election and some of the soundbits from voters, I noticed that a lot of the talk in the campaign seems to be very abstract. It's about diffuse "values", the "strength" of America and similar words. There's little concrete talk, at least as seen from over here.

Secondly, considering how polarized the country seems to be and how hard fought the campaign is - why  will the voter turnout yet again be very low compared to most other democratic countries (under 60% since 1972)?

[Eddie Teach]

For starters, there's gonna be over 100 million votes cast. There's very little chance your vote will actually matter. Also, many people will find themselves standing in lines for several hours to do so.

[Valmy]

Secondly, considering how polarized the country seems to be and how hard fought the campaign is - why  will the voter turnout yet again be very low compared to most other democratic countries (under 60% since 1972)?

We have alot of unpolitical people in this country.  I think the polarization creates a certain fatigue with politics.  Another factor may be the problems of our educational system...but on the other hand we had 80% turnout back in the days when illiteracy was a big problem so maybe not.

[jimmy olsen]

Listening to yet another radio report about the election and some of the soundbits from voters, I noticed that a lot of the talk in the campaign seems to be very abstract. It's about diffuse "values", the "strength" of America and similar words. There's little concrete talk, at least as seen from over here.

Secondly, considering how polarized the country seems to be and how hard fought the campaign is - why  will the voter turnout yet again be very low compared to most other democratic countries (under 60% since 1972)?

61.7% in 2008

[Syt]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections says 57.37%, Tim.

[jimmy olsen]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections says 57.37%, Tim.

We focus on the turnout of eligible voters in the US, which was 61.7%. That's what the chart uses.

[Syt]

[Eurosmug]Well, if the American system disenfranchises so many people . . . [/Eurosmug]

[merithyn]

So Romney opted out of doing any campaigning during the storm in the interest of national unity. Instead, he's doing a not-a-campaign-but-a-storm-relief party at the same venue with the same celebs and the same basic speeches.

And this man is going to be the one to "reach across the aisle" and be the "bi-partisan President"? He can't even drop this shit for 48 hours while people's lives are being pulled apart. 

[Valmy]

And this man is going to be the one to "reach across the aisle" and be the "bi-partisan President"?

Romney is a dirty liar Meri.  But nobody cares he is a liar because, you know, he is a politician and they expect it from him.  Besides it is not like one could really be a bi-partisan President these days.  The other party is not going to work with you and help you look good.

[Phillip V]

And this man is going to be the one to "reach across the aisle" and be the "bi-partisan President"? He can't even drop this shit for 48 hours while people's lives are being pulled apart. 

We must have Hope that Romney will bring about bipartisan Change We Can Believe In.

[derspiess]

So Romney opted out of doing any campaigning during the storm in the interest of national unity. Instead, he's doing a not-a-campaign-but-a-storm-relief party at the same venue with the same celebs and the same basic speeches.

And this man is going to be the one to "reach across the aisle" and be the "bi-partisan President"? He can't even drop this shit for 48 hours while people's lives are being pulled apart. 

It's politics, Meri.  Remember the Wellstone memorial?  Yeah, I figured you wouldn't.

[derspiess]

We have alot of unpolitical people in this country.  I think the polarization creates a certain fatigue with politics.  Another factor may be the problems of our educational system...but on the other hand we had 80% turnout back in the days when illiteracy was a big problem so maybe not.

I think fatigue is part of it, and I also think affluence (relative to the rest of the world) and a shit-ton of possible leisure activities make people numb to politics. 

[merithyn]

It's politics, Meri.  Remember the Wellstone memorial?  Yeah, I figured you wouldn't.

I was knee-deep in diapers and going through a divorce in 2002. No, I didn't remember it, probably because I ignored politics during that time. There was enough drama in my own life; I didn't need that shit.

Reading up on it, I find it just as disgraceful as this is. Nonetheless, that was the aftermath of an accident, not a massive storm that is in process. And both incidents are indicative of why I despise both parties. Unlike you, I don't find one any better than the other. They both suck donkey balls equally.

[derspiess]

Well, welcome to politics

[Razgovory]

It's politics, Meri.  Remember the Wellstone memorial?  Yeah, I figured you wouldn't.

I was knee-deep in diapers and going through a divorce in 2002. No, I didn't remember it, probably because I ignored politics during that time. There was enough drama in my own life; I didn't need that shit.

Reading up on it, I find it just as disgraceful as this is. Nonetheless, that was the aftermath of an accident, not a massive storm that is in process. And both incidents are indicative of why I despise both parties. Unlike you, I don't find one any better than the other. They both suck donkey balls equally.

Ah, so you are a coward.