USA voter registration skyrocketing

[Cowperson]

Election offices were flooded with new voters in a dozen states Monday as registration deadlines offered a glimpse of what the nation might see a month from now.

Many officials reported record numbers of new voters, some said they were overwhelmed, and allegations were already flying about fraud and the disqualification of some voters’ applications.

Which candidate will an uptick in registrations benefit?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6175529/

Cowperson

[Displaced Flames fan]

Kerry IMO.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

I agree Dis. I think the dump Bush campaign is starting to pick up steam. He and his administration are goning from a point of national pride to a point of national embarassment. How many more lies and signs of corruption will it take for this to turn into a landslide? I know the Republicans at work were doing some serious spinning today and were in major damage control mode. The undecideds were all over them, making my day a spectator sport.

[Daradon]

I think an increase in registration though is a sign that people want change. A person is more likely to register to vote a new person in, then just to vote for the incumbant.

Whomever they vote for though, this is a good thing. It's good to see people feeling like their say matters again, especially when they are deciding not only their own fate, but picking a person who influences the whole world. I hope if we get another election soon that our numbers will increase too as we're getting sickeningly low for turnout as well in Canada. Not quite U.S. levels, but give it 4 or 8 years...

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Good. Decisions are made by those that show up. Just vote, no matter your stance.

[CaramonLS]

Its amazing that people don't bother voting... I don't know why.

Heck I still go through the motions even when I lived in Calgary Southwest, Klein, Manning, Harper.

Its a landslide even before you cast your vote, but still I do it.

[Kobasew7]

I think the main reason people don't vote in the US is because really, your vote doesn't count, or thats the perception that is given to the everyday people. I know pretty much out of 10 people in the US, if you ask them 'does your vote really count?'..atleast 7 would say 'no'. I am among that 7, however I am registered to vote and probably will make it out to the polls in November and vote.

I think the landslide in votes for Gore over Bush nationally, and than Bush winning the election made a lot of people stand up and take notice..and what many at first would say is a bad thing proving that your vote really doesn't count has turned into something people are rallying behind to show thier vote can truely count. Just look at the close election count in Florida that won Bush the election, just 1 vote could turn the election, probably won't ever happen that way..but it could and that's enough reason for me.

[CaramonLS]

Good portion of those people are going to be the bitter democrats in FLA, where sadly the entire election was decided on thousands of votes.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

If anyone in the States can clear this up for me I would appreciate it.
It said in the article that a chick registered as a democrat. What's the deal with that? Do you have to register with your political affiliation (I realize you can still vote for whoever you want), but that seems a little odd to me.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally posted by CaramonLS@Oct 5 2004, 07:22 AM
Its amazing that people don't bother voting... I don't know why.

Not showing up to vote is a vote too. It is a vote against the system, it is a sign that people scorn the system. The more people realize this and the less people show up to cast their ballots the better. State is an organization whose purpose is to coordinate interest groups parasiting on the society. Everyone who votes helps legitimize parasitism and keeps the system alive.

If less people show up the validity of `democratic vote` and democracy itself will be shot in the head and for numerious social scientists it will be harder and harder to brainwash people suggesting that elected officials are representing interests of us all.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally posted by Flame Of Liberty+Oct 5 2004, 08:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flame Of Liberty @ Oct 5 2004, 08:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-CaramonLS@Oct 5 2004, 07:22 AM
Its amazing that people don't bother voting... I don't know why.

Not showing up to vote is a vote too. It is a vote against the system, it is a sign that people scorn the system. The more people realize this and the less people show up to cast their ballots the better. State is an organization whose purpose is to coordinate interest groups parasiting on the society. Everyone who votes helps legitimize parasitism and keeps the system alive.

If less people show up the validity of `democratic vote` and democracy itself will be shot in the head and for numerious social scientists it will be harder and harder to brainwash people suggesting that elected officials are representing interests of us all. [/b][/quote]
Wow, I never really thought you were a complete nutjob untill just now.

That's a super idea. I'm really paranoid that special intererst groups are running the country. I'll show them, I'm not gonna vote.

one week later.....


Ah crap, the only people that voted were the special interes groups....DAMN.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally posted by Bring_Back_Shantz+Oct 5 2004, 03:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bring_Back_Shantz @ Oct 5 2004, 03:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Not showing up to vote is a vote too. It is a vote against the system, it is a sign that people scorn the system. The more people realize this and the less people show up to cast their ballots the better. State is an organization whose purpose is to coordinate interest groups parasiting on the society. Everyone who votes helps legitimize parasitism and keeps the system alive.

If less people show up the validity of `democratic vote` and democracy itself will be shot in the head and for numerious social scientists it will be harder and harder to brainwash people suggesting that elected officials are representing interests of us all.

Wow, I never really thought you were a complete nutjob untill just now.

That's a super idea. I'm really paranoid that special intererst groups are running the country. I'll show them, I'm not gonna vote.

one week later.....


Ah crap, the only people that voted were the special interes groups....DAMN. [/b][/quote]
I'm really paranoid that special intererst groups are running the country. I'll show them, I'm gonna vote.

one week later.....


Ah crap, my one vote didnt change a damned thing....DAMN.



But obviously the point of my post has completelly by-passed you...DAMN.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally posted by fotze@Oct 5 2004, 04:02 PM
I'd like to know how a system would work where every vote counted tonnes and changed the results. It's impossible. If I vote Bush loses, but what about the other 100 million votes. Doesn't make sense.

Who ever suggested a system where every vote counted tonnes and changed the result? I spoke of no such thing in my post.

What I said was that there are people who think that democracy is illegitimate. People who think that democratic vote is illegitimate. And for those people it makes perfect sense not to vote. Why? Because every vote in fact helps to legitimize democracy, ie `something` these people are against.

Makes sense now?

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by Flame Of Liberty+Oct 5 2004, 03:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flame Of Liberty @ Oct 5 2004, 03:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-fotze@Oct 5 2004, 04:02 PM
I'd like to know how a system would work where every vote counted tonnes and changed the results.# It's impossible.# If I vote Bush loses, but what about the other 100 million votes.# Doesn't make sense.

Who ever suggested a system where every vote counted tonnes and changed the result? I spoke of no such thing in my post.

What I said was that there are people who think that democracy is illegitimate. People who think that democratic vote is illegitimate. And for those people it makes perfect sense not to vote. Why? Because every vote in fact helps to legitimize democracy, ie `something` these people are against.

Makes sense now? [/b][/quote]
Why you, you. . . . . Libertarian!!!

Cowperson

[octothorp]

The better way to stage a protest vote is to spoil your ballot.

I remember when there was a movement to have an elected senator on a civic election. Something like 40% of voters spoiled their ballot on the elected senator question. Which, in my opinion, sent a pretty clear and strong message about how people felt about an elected senate. And Preston Manning came out and said that voters had been 'confused and manipulated' by the anti-elected-senate movement.

Still, it seemed to me that the high ballot-spoiling rate pretty-much stopped elected-senate talk dead in its tracks. So the system works--even the 'protesting the system' portion of it.

[troutman]

Could be Springsteen, REM et al are getting lots of young people to register. This can only be good for Kerry.

[TheCommodoreAfro]

The overseas voter base that is not overseas to shoot people (military) is almost 70/30 in favour of the Dems. The Republicans do have a lot of support in the military, though, so it tends to balance out.

The Dems have been very active in Japan - taking out ads in newspapers, etc. as if to back this notion. Haven't seen the Republicans do the same.

[Lurch]

Who ever suggested a system where every vote counted tonnes and changed the result? I spoke of no such thing in my post.

What I said was that there are people who think that democracy is illegitimate. People who think that democratic vote is illegitimate. And for those people it makes perfect sense not to vote. Why? Because every vote in fact helps to legitimize democracy, ie `something` these people are against.

I've been reading about libertarianism a little in my spare time the last few weeks as a result of some of these threads. In general, I'd have to say a noble thought but not logically possible - unless I'm missing something. I was hoping for some enlightenment.

Libertarianism basically says do your own thing, and government, no matter how constituted, is a bad thing. However, the only logical way this can occur and be sustained is if everyone agrees, i.e. everyone is a libertarian. Seems pretty contrary to me, i.e. a totalitarian outcome where the right to organize becomes illegal b/c it would lead to instability. I have no doubt this has been answered somewhere as it seems like an obvious inconsistency. If someone can point me to the rebuttal, I'd appreciate it.

[peter12]

I too have been reading about "anarcho-capitalism". It sounds like a wonderful idea except every single person would have to agree to it. In reality about 2 minutes after anarchy was implemented there would be about 9000 groups beating the hell out of each other for control.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally posted by Lurch@Oct 6 2004, 05:26 PM
Libertarianism basically says do your own thing, and government, no matter how constituted, is a bad thing. However, the only logical way this can occur and be sustained is if everyone agrees, i.e. everyone is a libertarian. Seems pretty contrary to me, i.e. a totalitarian outcome where the right to organize becomes illegal b/c it would lead to instability. I have no doubt this has been answered somewhere as it seems like an obvious inconsistency. If someone can point me to the rebuttal, I'd appreciate it.

Well this is where secession comes into place. Libertarians do not want to `overrun` governments. They want to be left alone. Which means if other people want to live in states, thats all fine and good. But leave people who want no part of democracy to live on their land and live in free societies.

In the US, there are people trying to achieve this (at least partially, for now that is):

http://www.freestateproject.org