OCCUPY WALL STREET

[atomiczombie]

I gotta say that I disagree about boycotting elections. Yes, voting means a lot less when the only people who can get a serious chance to get their message out and on the ballot are the ones who take big money from the 1%ers. However, voting is still a way to make our voices heard.

I am against the idea that voting for the lesser of two evils is the best choice. As long as people always choose the lesser of two evils, the two evils are the only two choices there will be. But I plan to vote for the Green party candidate next year. Even if she doesn't get enough votes to get on the ballot in all 50 states, I will write in her name. At least that way I still have a voice and my feelings are known. If there weren't any power at the polls, then all the political ads wouldn't be on the air and in print.

As for legalizing drugs, I have a lot of mixed feelings about that. Yes the war on drugs is a huge failure. But I also think drug abuse has a devastating impact on the poor and marginalized people of the US. I think the CIA has had a hand in creating these drug problems, and the US government hasn't taken a serious step to address it. Instead, they just feed the prison system with drug abusers and dealers.

Not all drugs have the same effects. Marijuana can be used by many people socially. But cocaine, meth, heroin and PCP aren't drugs that can be used safely by anyone, imho. I think legalizing them isn't an answer. Investing in treatment programs and drug education is a better approach. Lets help people to stop using these destructive substances and provide support to help them improve their lives, and help their families and communities get educated about these substances and how to deal with people who are addicts in humane and productive ways, instead of just locking them up in jail and throwing away the key.

This is just my opinion and the context of it comes from my own life experience as the child of an alcoholic and a recovering drug addict myself.

[persiphone]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I gotta say that I disagree about boycotting elections. Yes, voting means a lot less when the only people who can get a serious chance to get their message out and on the ballot are the ones who take big money from the 1%ers. However, voting is still a way to make our voices heard.

I am against the idea that voting for the lesser of two evils is the best choice. As long as people always choose the lesser of two evils, the two evils are the only two choices there will be. But I plan to vote for the Green party candidate next year. Even if she doesn't get enough votes to get on the ballot in all 50 states, I will write in her name. At least that way I still have a voice and my feelings are known. If there weren't any power at the polls, then all the political ads wouldn't be on the air and in print.

As for legalizing drugs, I have a lot of mixed feelings about that. Yes the war on drugs is a huge failure. But I also think drug abuse has a devastating impact on the poor and marginalized people of the US. I think the CIA has had a hand in creating these drug problems, and the US government hasn't taken a serious step to address it. Instead, they just feed the prison system with drug abusers and dealers.

Not all drugs have the same effects. Marijuana can be used by many people socially. But cocaine, meth, heroin and PCP aren't drugs that can be used safely by anyone, imho. I think legalizing them isn't an answer. Investing in treatment programs and drug education is a better approach. Lets help people to stop using these destructive substances and provide support to help them improve their lives, and help their families and communities get educated about these substances and how to deal with people who are addicts in humane and productive ways, instead of just locking them up in jail and throwing away the key.

This is just my opinion and the context of it comes from my own life experience as the child of an alcoholic and a recovering drug addict myself.

okay but writing her in puts your entire vote at risk of being tossed. doesn't it? (i honestly don't know) i think the power at the polls is just as delusionary as the idea that we live in the democracy that we think we have. we have just as little choice at the polls as we do anywhere else in this country.

and apparently.....there are states provisions that allow for temporary suspension of presidential elections in an emergency. there are also legal actions that can put the whole thing into question. so it's not really a radical or absurd idea, which until i looked into it...i thought it was kinda out there.

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by persiphone

okay but writing her in puts your entire vote at risk of being tossed. doesn't it? (i honestly don't know) i think the power at the polls is just as delusionary as the idea that we live in the democracy that we think we have. we have just as little choice at the polls as we do anywhere else in this country.

and apparently.....there are states provisions that allow for temporary suspension of presidential elections in an emergency. there are also legal actions that can put the whole thing into question. so it's not really a radical or absurd idea, which until i looked into it...i thought it was kinda out there.

Actually write-ins are counted. And, as AtLast said, there are all sorts of local elections and ballot initiatives that are important to vote on too. The Republicans are passing these voter-supression laws because they know that the fewer people who vote, the more their agenda wins. So not voting isn't going to change anything for the better imho.

[persiphone]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

Actually write-ins are counted. And, as AtLast said, there are all sorts of local elections and ballot initiatives that are important to vote on too. The Republicans are passing these voter-supression laws because they know that the fewer people who vote, the more their agenda wins. So not voting isn't going to change anything for the better imho.

i was just saying....imagine if NO ONE voted. just try to picture it.

edited after looking into write-ins.....what if EVERYONE wrote in a person not on the ballot. better?

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by persiphone

i was just saying....imagine if NO ONE voted. just try to picture it.

edited after looking into write-ins.....what if EVERYONE wrote in a person not on the ballot. better?

YES!!!!!

[persiphone]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

YES!!!!!

bows dramatically* ty ty...i'll be here all week.

[kannon]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I am against the idea that voting for the lesser of two evils is the best choice. As long as people always choose the lesser of two evils, the two evils are the only two choices there will be. But I plan to vote for the Green party candidate next year. Even if she doesn't get enough votes to get on the ballot in all 50 states, I will write in her name. At least that way I still have a voice and my feelings are known. If there weren't any power at the polls, then all the political ads wouldn't be on the air and in print.

Isn't this related to the act of NOT voting?