December 09, 2003
I have issues
Everyone has issues. For some people they are very broad, for others they are very narrow. There are people who will vote party line every time because their issue is allegiance to the party and they are happy to let the party do the thinking for them. There are “single issue” voters, who have a litmus test for candidates (be it gun control, the drug war, abortion, etc etc). When you go into that booth, what are your criteria? What matters to you? What issue or issues make or break your support for a candidate or ballot measure? OK, now that you’ve got that in your head, answer this question: Why? Why do you put such importance on that issue? Reconsider yourself. Assess your motivations, and determine if you really want to vote that way or not. For a lot of you, this exercise may simply reinforce your opinions. If that is the case, then great, you’ve validated the logic behind your choices, and that’s always good. If it doesn’t reinforce your opinions, however, You owe it to yourself to reconsider how you are voting.
Posted by rev_matt_y at December 9, 2003 10:28 AM1) Kill Osama and make everything about Al Qaida publicly available.
2) Repeal USA PATRIOT Act
3) Bring all of our troops home from all over the world, assume pure defensive-retaliatory stance.
4) Cut pork out of government spending, kill all social programs and repeal all superfluous taxation.
5) Lead by example.
Attention American Patriots, you are hereby on notice. Only you have the power to make this happen, so long as you realize that democracy means YOU!
Posted by: Son of Samuel Clements at December 9, 2003 10:40 AMI would say that it’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. Litmus test voting essentially tries to personalize political priorities in terms of very rigid agendas. It’s better to convince other people of your views, and then have the general constituency put the pressure on the candidates. I say, vote for the people who’s general pattern of political viewpoints seems best. Don’t keep electing men or women who otherwise fall below your expectations of what they should do in office.
Posted by: Stephen Daugherty at December 9, 2003 09:37 PMVoting for a party is a long term investment. sometimes is pays off (Bush having the right people in the right place at the right time in Florida in 2000), and sometimes it does not (Zell Miller is disgusted with his party today). But if you choose to vote on one issue, you are setting yourself up for a narrow life. Because life is not that simple.
Posted by: Scott S at December 12, 2003 05:57 PM
