Resident non-Republican Ranting about Radical Ryan

[lulu314]

It might help if you spend a little less time making memes and a little more time researching the actual proposal's of candidates. Stripping Medicaid? Hardly. Reform, yes, but definitely not stripping. Congratulations on being able to regurgitate the scare tactics you've been spoon fed by the liberal media and Obama administration, it really makes you look brilliant. Or not.

[letsbeawkward]

You seriously had to make up an AE just to say that Lulu?

[nsl]

I just love the phrase "liberal media." Clearly there are no conservative-leaning news outlets out there at all.

The Obama team must be in a very good mood this morning. November just got a lot easier for them.

[basilosaurus]

Ugh, newsroom. Granted, I never made it past the 3rd ep.

And you know I'm going to pretty much agree with the Ryan assessment. A far right religious conservative and I aren't going to see eye to eye on much of anything.

[basilosaurus]

LOL! Which, according to Newsroom, is something that an intelligent woman in 2010 wouldn't understand.

[basilosaurus]

Aug 11, 2012 13:30:19 GMT -5 Stan said:

Hilariously, like Maggie, I once thought it meant lots of love. However, that was in the days of AOL chat and I was like 12. I hate Maggie's character. Love Mac.

I think H's grandmother thought that, too. 10 years ago. She's also old.

[amaristella]

Hey, help me out. What little TV I watch is Olympic coverage. (I close my eyes and stick my fingers in my ears during commercials in order to avoid all the political advertisements). What is that first picture of with all the angry people in it? Were they angry at the announcement?

Also, the second picture is funnier with the shorter caption than with the longer one.

And geez, wants to increase the defense budget? I'm going to have to hit Google and figure out who this guy is, won't I? It's not that I worry terribly about the influence of the VP, it's that I think that Romney's selection for a running mate says a lot about him.

[Jam]

I wasn't going to vote before and I sure as hell am not voting now. This country is going to the dogs, yo. Flame me for saying it. Jam don't curr (insert ghetto hand gestures and weird looking facial expressions).

Also, that meme is the funniest thing I've seen all week. Thank you, Stan. May I put it on my facebook?

[basilosaurus]

So, the solution to not liking where the country is headed is to remove your input entirely from the process?

Stan, back to newsroom, I can be ok with stupidity as quirks, but not when it only applies to female characters. Like, I can believe a teenager didn't get 69, but an adult female in the professional world should know how to email.

[Jam]

Sibil, if the candidate I would vote for isn't on the ballot, I'm not going to vote for someone just for the sake of voting.

[Jam]

Hubby said I should just write in who I'd vote for but I feel discouraged and don't exactly see a point in my doing so. Maybe it's a stage I'm going through but I don't feel like my voting will even matter at this point. I'm not exactly a fan of the electoral college.

If I was living in my state of residency then I'd vote but since I don't I feel like I shouldn't when what goes on there isn't necessarily affecting me (if that makes sense). I haven't even requested an absentee ballot though I've thought about it.

If I WAS living back home then I would vote, but not for POTUS because I don't agree with or *like* any of the nominated candidates.

[basilosaurus]

Voting 3rd party still sends a message. Hell, just a couple years ago in Colorado, the 3rd party candidate for governor (so, not small local election) got more than double the votes that the R candidate got.

I understand not voting on really local issues, like bonds or something, but surely your representatives matter.

And while I guess I understand not liking either presidential nominee, surely you can figure out which one you like less. They're really quite different so there has to be a way to tip your ambivalence.

[meltoine]

Aug 11, 2012 13:20:55 GMT -5 Stan said:

For example, Meltoine is generally one of my favorites, and I *know* she and I are going to be on the exact opposite side here. She's probably going to have to hide me on the FB too. But I think we have a mutual respect for each other that at least intellectually understands the other's position even if we vehemently disagree when it comes to how we vote.

Aw thanks! I would never hide you on FB. I always learn from your political posts, especially when I disagree with them.

I'm pretty "meh" on the Paul Ryan pick. I think Romney would have done better to base his campaign on a moderate platform and surround himself with moderate republicans and independents. In doing so he would have appealed to a lot more young people and baby boomers, and even some democrats who are somewhat disillusioned with President Obama.

That said, I'm still on the fence between voting for Romney-Paul and writing in someone else. I agree with more of their platform than I do with President Obama's. But not all that much more, actually. Most of my view are somewhere outside the mainstream rhetoric.

Also, I have to say, that people who say things like "Well I don't like any candidates so I'm not voting" come off as woefully undereducated in the design of our political system. There will never with a candidate with whom you agree on absolutely everything. And, especially when it comes to the office of president, it shouldn't matter that you don't agree with a candidates stated view on every issue. Vote for the candidate you think will do a better job. Then, write and call your senators and congressperson and tell them what's important to you and what you think about that issues at hand. Collectively, they have so much more influence on the direction of our country than the president and they're more likely to listen to you because their job security depends on you thinking they listen to you and care about views. Yes, the president is elected too, but with all the other factors that influence the presidential race, the views of individual voters matter almost naught. Local politicians, on the other hand, are elected by popular vote and generally are less beholden to those outside forces.

[Jam]

Aug 12, 2012 8:53:53 GMT -5 meltoine said:

Also, I have to say, that people who say things like "Well I don't like any candidates so I'm not voting" come off as woefully undereducated in the design of our political system. There will never with a candidate with whom you agree on absolutely everything. And, especially when it comes to the office of president, it shouldn't matter that you don't agree with a candidates stated view on every issue. .

Yeah, obviously there isn't going to be a presidential candidate whose views align with mine 100% but agreeing with someone on less than 40% of the issues doesn't secure my vote. I'd vote for someone I agree with on over 70% of the issues and be "okay" with that. :Y:

No two people are alike or likely to agree on everything, much less an average joe and a politician. I doubt anyone actually expects to find a candidate they agree with on everything 8-D

[meltoine]

Exactly, KC. Voluntarily disenfranchising yourself is not the answer.

[iluvmytxrgr]

This is the first year I think I'll be voting independent. I am not a fan of President Obama and Romney's choice of Paul Ryan just put the nail in that coffin for me.
I feel like, if enough of us who don't like either vote for the independent, it might not get that person a win, but it will shake things up enough that people will take notice that so many people aren't happy with the BS going on right now.

[kpol]

If you need help registering to vote/requesting an absentee ballot check out fvap.gov. Yay for all AFN channels that play this commercial every 2 seconds!

Also, I'm from IL aka land of corrupt politicians who go to jail. I've voted third party more times than I can count because both major parties have sucked for governor. It's always interesting to see the third party tally in the end. Sometimes the numbers are incredibly high!

[audette]

Aug 12, 2012 21:35:05 GMT -5 meltoine said:

Exactly, KC. Voluntarily disenfranchising yourself is not the answer.

As someone who _can't_ vote, I get frustrated by people who simply choose not to vote.

It's one thing if you try to get the absentee paperwork and it doesn't come, or you end up scheduled for a business trip after it's not longer possible to register for early voting, but just up and deciding to not bother always kinda makes me disappointed...

[beans]

Aug 13, 2012 16:24:14 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

This is the first year I think I'll be voting independent. I am not a fan of President Obama and Romney's choice of Paul Ryan just put the nail in that coffin for me.
I feel like, if enough of us who don't like either vote for the independent, it might not get that person a win, but it will shake things up enough that people will take notice that so many people aren't happy with the BS going on right now.

this is the thing. If everyone actually voted who was saying "i'm not going to vote because a) "my vote doesn't matter" or b) "I don't like the options with the two parties" then absolutely change would come about. It would absolutely make a difference. But the thing is, they totally (as a group) don't work the system to their advantage and change will never happen if people don't make it happen.

[basilosaurus]

You know, I'm actually not generally going to try to talk someone into voting. If you don't know enough to even pick the best of the worst, you might actually pick the worst of the worst. I already think too many voters are dumb.

[iluvmytxrgr]

Aug 14, 2012 17:03:20 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

You know, I'm actually not generally going to try to talk someone into voting. If you don't know enough to even pick the best of the worst, you might actually pick the worst of the worst. I already think too many voters are dumb.

I agree with you. I actually had some one tell me the only reason they voted for Mr Obama in the last election was because they thought McCain was too old and might die while in office.

I'm just going to vote my conscious. If that ends up being a vote for the independent and I'm only one of 1% of the people to vote for him, I least I know I had my say.

[krista]

I thought Ryan was a really odd choice (not as odd as Palin), but as a liberal Democrat, I'm not complaining.

[basilosaurus]

Yeah, I think McCain being old was a valid consideration, too, because Sarah Palin is just that awful. Of course, there were a shitton of other reasons I thought McCain had turned into a grumpy old man with poor judgment, but picking Palin was toward the top.

[kpol]

Aug 14, 2012 18:48:45 GMT -5 Stan said:

Aug 14, 2012 18:18:25 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

I agree with you. I actually had some one tell me the only reason they voted for Mr Obama in the last election was because they thought McCain was too old and might die while in office.

I think that's valid though. I know a ton of people who were undecided and became Obama voters after the Palin pick. If I were a fence sitter, Ryan would make me jump off too.

Most of the people on my FB are more upset at the Ryan pick not because he's anti-women, anti-gay rights, etc but because he's a Packers fan :/

But it's IL and we're a solid blue state, so....yeah....

[drunkpeggy]

Late to the party as always...I can tell you the exact reason why Paul Ryan was chosen. He's young and he's got a charismatic personality that both Obama and Romney severely lack. I've heard Ryan described as someone who listens to you rather than speaking to you...that is going to go a long way. I feel for the last four years I've been talked down to and patted on the head and told what's best for me despite protests.

[drunkpeggy]

Aug 15, 2012 13:06:47 GMT -5 Stan said:

While I've never been one to vote on personality (John Kerry), I don't know anyone of either party who wouldn't describe President Obama as charismatic. And if you feel talked down to about things like the economy, I can't fathom how you're comfortable with a man who has proposed legislation that would have made Governor Romney's own children criminals. I would rather be talked down to about something like the economy by a man advised by Paul Krugman than talked down to about my uterus and whether or not I'm allowed to use IVF by a man who's main religious adviser is himself.

Putting his political leanings aside, I find Obama to be very dry and aloof when it comes to speaking. He is very difficult to relate to as a man instead of this figure head persona vibe I get from him. Romney is similar in that regard. With Ryan (and Biden) I feel like they would be people you would encounter at someone's BBQ and could chat with them over a beer. I think the ability to relate or appear to relate goes back to the point that you as a citizen are being listened to instead of lectured to.

Romney and Ryan can talk about my uterus all they want. I'm 100% comfortable in my assertion that abortion and infertility treatment will not be outlawed in this country. It's just not going to happen. The legal precedent it would present threatening other treatment options for women is what will keep abortion and things like IVF, embryo storage, etc. legal. I feel like the constant calls of "the conservatives are going to ban abortion/IVF/etc." is akin to the calls that Obama isn't a citizen or that the sky is falling.

I think a lot of people confuse what politicians' personal beliefs are versus what they can do and will do as public/legal figures. Romney/Ryan are staunch Christians who are pro-life...for them not to share their views on why they believe life is precious and should be guarded would be doing a disservice to their supporters...you wouldn't be getting the full picture of the people you may elect into office.

If anyone wants to vote based on how a politician feels towards reproduction and the value of an unborn child/fetus that is the voter's prerogative. I however am going to vote based on substantial things that can be changed...such as the economy and foreign policy and budgetary reform.

[basilosaurus]

drunkpeggy, what would you say to the fact that abortion has been outlawed in some states? SD outlawed it back in 2006 IIRC, and no abortions were provided there while it worked out in the courts. It was actually repealed by voter referendum before it could be figured out legally.

Or that MS effectively banned abortion through a clinic regulation targeting only abortion. That was stopped by the courts in the meantime, but the result is still undecided.

How about Ohio's heartbeat bill? They openly admitted it wouldn't survive in a court challenge, yet they voted for it anyway. They want it to go through a court to see if a challenge would set precedent for further limiting the law (see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_Parenthood_v._Casey as an example)

Or how about the personhood amendments having gone up for a vote 3 times (twice in CO once in MS). I'm sure it would eventually be struck down by SCOTUS, but what happens in the intervening years? Also, I'm not sure a future SCOTUS would strike it down if someone like Ryan, who sponsored his own personhood amendment, got to influence a new judicial pick.

Years ago I never would have thought legislatures could force a woman to get a medically unnecessary vaginal probe, yet look where we are today.

[basilosaurus]

KC, what rock have you been living under?! This was a huge issue this past spring (I think?).

A few states, notably VA and PA (VA's passed, PA's didn't, mostly b/c it came after VA and the shitstorm that ensued), attempted to mandate an ultrasound prior to abortion. Of course, given when most abortions occur, very early in the pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound is the preferred method.

TX passed their version last year. NC passed one. I'm trying to think of who else. I know it's been proposed in more places than it's passed, sometimes b/c it doesn't come to a final vote, sometimes b/c there's been a legal challenge that delays it.

[basilosaurus]

It's for "informed consent." Because I know if I were coming in for an abortion I think it means getting a wart removed. I'd be shocked to learn it was an embryo I was getting rid of, and that an embryo could turn into a fetus and then a baby. Shocked I tell you.

Here's more info. This stuff has actually been quietly slipping into laws for awhile, but the VA thing sparked a lot of media attention. Probably some of that b/c it's an election year, and the gov. had been pegged as a top VP pick.

www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_RFU.pdf

Do you remember P&CE on April Fool's? My costume was as a transvaginal probe. All b/c of the uproar over VA.

[basilosaurus]

Oh, and extra fun fact. In Texas, you're not just required to get the ultrasound, you're required to hear a description of it. But, don't worry, they're compassionate. If you're aborting a wanted but non-viable pregnancy, the doctor is allowed to not describe the malformations.