WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| reply to Tsume
Re: VP Candidate Is Pro-RIAA, Anti-Privacy
As I, too, was a Ron Paul supporter, I thought I would take a look at Bob Barr's voting history to see if he aligned with my political beliefs.
It's very much like you said - in the past few years, he's had a great voting record(IMHO). But when you go back to 1998-2003 or so, he took a lot of questionable positions. Requiring prayer in school, voting YES on making appeals to the death penalty harder... I don't know, seems like he was (at least at one time) very much unlike Ron Paul.
I question why he's changed his opinions so drastically these past few years. Not that there's anything wrong with people changing their opinions, but some of his prior stances seem downright dangerous.
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If all the Christians who have called other Christians “not really a Christian” were to vanish, there’d be no Christians left. -Anonymous |
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Viper007Bond
Premium
join:2002-09-26
Portland, OR
| reply to Tsume
Sorry to break it to you, but a third party will never happen. That's not to say Democrats and Republicans will always be the two parties, but with voting it's always gonna end up as two parties. It's just simple logic and human nature.
For example, take parties A (smallest), B, and C (B & C are about equal). Parties B and C are gonna do everything they can to get voters from A to come to their group. Now say if some people go to party B to where they have the most -- this means both A and C will lose. If anyone in A doesn't want B to win, they'll go to C to hopefully overcome B. That leaves A with less and less people.
Don't get me wrong -- I'd love to have more than two real choices even though I (mostly) agree with Obama, but it just isn't gonna happen as people vote just as much against someone as they vote for someone else, if not more. Example: I think many people will vote for Obama as a vote against McCain rather than a vote for Obama.
It's sad but true.
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I have a signature. | I also have a website/blog. | I even have a computer! |
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SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17 | reply to jc100
Nader WILL get my vote, even if it is a write-in. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to cornelius785
Well not voting also isn't good. Too bad we don't got real choices though. Seriously, we get Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb to vote for every 4 years. I'd like someone who is a person and representative first, and a politician last. John Stewart for President, anyone? He'd at least add some humor to the post! |
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cornelius785
join:2006-10-26
Worcester, MA
| reply to Tsume
imo, depending on the case, not voting is no throwing away your vote. what if there are no candidates that are worth voting for? just pick the lesser of the N evils? being vocal on saying i'm not voting at all for some reason like no one is worth voting for (backed up with why each candidate is not worthy) should send a message to the politicians that something is not right with them. they may think that all people that don't vote are idiots, don't understand the government, or too lazy (which may be true in some cases). what if people are too disgusted with the current state of the government is the reason. doesn't take long to find something on TV that shows some political leader is throwing a trantrum because he said or did that while the true issues at hand are being sidelined, sometimes it seems that vacations (not like they don't take enough or anything) are put infront of getting a bill through. If need be, I'll vote for '3rd party' candidate, the libertarian party is looking awfully tempting.
Lex Luthor '08 anyone? |
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Tsume
join:2004-02-23
Johnson City, TN
 ·Embarq
 ·ViaTalk
 ·Comcast
| reply to jc100
said by jc100  :I can't say I know much about Bob Barr. However, Ralph Nader who I saw you mention below, is a smart Cookie. But let's be pragmatic a second. There's no such thing as a wasted vote, but there is one that won't count. By this, the Majority of Americans are going to vote for the two party system. Until such time as one of these 3rd Parties becomes mainstream, their chances are nil. I'd like to believe otherwise, but reality dictates. Unfortunate, isn't it. I'm going to keep voting for the 3rd party to help it happen.
Bob Barr has a voting record that's, IMO, not as up to par with Ron Paul... but he's apologized for some of the stupider things he's voted on and his recent record is good. I'd take his word over Obama's unapologetic voting yes on FISA.
Nader is a smart one too, unfortunately I think people have been implanted with a negative opinion of him through the mainstream media, so I'm going to give my shot to the guy with the new name. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10 | reply to axus
No that'd be McCain. After all, his lips are locked so tight, I'm amazed he hasn't suffocated. Obama isn't much better but at least chose a rant that doesn't sound ignorant. |
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axus
join:2001-06-18
Washington, DC | reply to Tsume
A vote for Obama is a vote for Bush |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to Tsume
I can't say I know much about Bob Barr. However, Ralph Nader who I saw you mention below, is a smart Cookie. But let's be pragmatic a second. There's no such thing as a wasted vote, but there is one that won't count. By this, the Majority of Americans are going to vote for the two party system. Until such time as one of these 3rd Parties becomes mainstream, their chances are nil. I'd like to believe otherwise, but reality dictates. Unfortunate, isn't it. |
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Tsume
join:2004-02-23
Johnson City, TN
·Embarq
·ViaTalk
·Comcast
| reply to jc100
said by jc100 :Ron Paul isn't a 3rd party choice. Check his voting record, and he's just as Republican Affiliated as the rest.. Seriously. By 3rd Party I meant Green, Libertarian, or Independent. Ron Paul Offers about as much "change" as "Obama" will give us, which wouldn't be much. I'm just hoping if he wins, things don't get progressively worse. I fear if McCain wins, we're in for a world of shit. If Obama wins, I just hope he doesn't mess them up more. Staying the same at this point is the best we can hope for. I'm realistic. I'd rather Obama wins and smiles for the next 4 years, than McCain who will keep this same crap going. Personally, If I had my choice, I'd say to hell with all these politicians, it's time we form parties where ordinary people can win the elections. Today, it's all about money, versus representation. Quite sad. I think the people who could do the best job, often don't make it. I really did like Chris Dodd. I think he was actually one of those guys that spoke for the people. A Rarity in politics. I liked Ron Paul because he wanted to do away with all of these idiotic government agencies. That's a "change I can believe in". Better change than Obama or McCain in my book.
Now that Paul isn't on the republican ticket, I'm voting for Bob Barr. I just haven't updated my avatar yet. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to Tsume
Ron Paul isn't a 3rd party choice. Check his voting record, and he's just as Republican Affiliated as the rest.. Seriously. By 3rd Party I meant Green, Libertarian, or Independent. Ron Paul Offers about as much "change" as "Obama" will give us, which wouldn't be much. I'm just hoping if he wins, things don't get progressively worse. I fear if McCain wins, we're in for a world of shit. If Obama wins, I just hope he doesn't mess them up more. Staying the same at this point is the best we can hope for. I'm realistic. I'd rather Obama wins and smiles for the next 4 years, than McCain who will keep this same crap going. Personally, If I had my choice, I'd say to hell with all these politicians, it's time we form parties where ordinary people can win the elections. Today, it's all about money, versus representation. Quite sad. I think the people who could do the best job, often don't make it. I really did like Chris Dodd. I think he was actually one of those guys that spoke for the people. A Rarity in politics. |
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Tsume
join:2004-02-23
Johnson City, TN | reply to jc100
3rd parties don't win because people are afraid to "throw away" their vote.
There are no throw-away votes. How else could a movement be built? |
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