Everybody tells me how important it is to vote....

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Look, JAB, you choose to argue in the negative only. You think people are calling your views worthless. No

one has said that. You want very hard to ruin the argument to vote for Romney for reasons I do not understand.

I've tried to give reasons to vote for him, or, if you will, against Obama, however you choose to digest that, to no

avail. It isn't my place to tell you how to vote, but I consider it a duty to inform in civic responsibilities of such

importance. You do as you please. But do it based on intelligence, prudence, reason and logic.

[JAB]

You want very hard to ruin the argument to vote for Romney for reasons I do not understand.

I'm not trying to ruin the argument to vote for Romney - I am simply trying to ascertain whether or not such an argument (beyond Republicans YAY! Democrats BOO!) truly exists or if the supposed existence of such an argument is simply wishful thinking. There is no need to convince me to vote against Obama. I simply remain unconvinced that voting for Romney would be any better. To me, it seems that voting against both of them is the only thing I can, in good conscience, do - assuming that there is a third option who I believe would be a better candidate. Now, I know that some will say that constitutes a vote for Obama or whatever but that is nonsense used to ensure that one of the 'big two' ends up holding the office. In truth, such a choice constitutes a vote for whoever the vote is cast in favor of. Some also say that such an attitude couldn't achieve anything in this election but that is also nonsense. If enough people were to vote for a candidate other than the big two then that candidate could win. The only reason that such a candidate won't win is that too many people play the odds instead of voting for the best person for the job. Yes, I live in reality and realize that people will vote party lines or will vote for one or the other side of the same coin which they have become convinced are the only options - meaning that anyone other than Romney or Obama won't win but won't win is a big difference from can't win.

For the record, I haven't decided exactly who I will vote for, yet. It may well turn out - as the election gets closer and platforms are more solidly defined - that all of the alternatives will be just as piss poor as Obama and Romney as candidates. Taking the 'alternatives' platforms as a whole, that is pretty much what happened in the last TN gubernatorial election. If that proves to be the case, come November 4, I just might end up giving my insignificant nod to Romney and subsequently feeling dirty for the next four years. I just wish someone could give me some reason to hope that he will REALLY be better than Obama - and not just because they think so.

You do as you please. But do it based on intelligence, prudence, reason and logic.

I believe that is exactly what I am doing by looking at Romney's past track record. Generally, a person's past actions - while not a 100% reliable predictor - are a pretty good indicator of what their future actions will be. Much more reliable, at least, than campaign speeches or saying, "Well, at least he isn't _____."

Edited April 19, 2012 by JAB

[Guest 6.8 AR]

It is what it is. If you can't see the difference between the two, I can't help. Romneycare, which he has stated

he is responsible for, is not his desire for the country. He has said in no uncertain terms he would kill Obamacare.

The stances on 2nd Amendment issues, he addressed at the NRA convention. No doubt he is from Massachusetts,

but his record stands up against Obama in the positive. He is as fiscal conservative as we're going to see.

Hope and change we need no more. It is a time in our country's history where we need to make a choice: America,

or Amerika. It's that big of a difference.

[gregintenn]

I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond to this thread. I've enjoyed reading all the opinions. I will state that Romney probably won't be quite as bad as Obama. I do believe, however, that as long as people allow the Republican party to foist turds such as Romney upon us, by rewarding them with donations and votes, you will never get an opportunity to vote for a worthy candidate. Sometimes we have to take a bloody nose or two in order to solve a deeper rooted problem. The Democrat party is a lost cause. Right now, there isn't a viable third party. The Republican party is our best hope. In order for them to become conservative, we have to somehow send them a loud and clear message. Politicians aren't willing to freely cede power.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

No, they don't willingly cede power, but ask that senator in Utah, or the one in Indiana why they're

facing primary challengers. We should put people up against people like Alexander or Corker, and

their counterparts in the House. The only way you are going to see this country work is if you make

it work. That means being a lot more engaged in the process. If you aren't willing to do that, you

don't have a right to bitch about the outcome. It takes grass roots work, just like that politician did

when he got into politics. Pitch in at the local level, push hard for what you believe in. Maybe become

a delegate. Either that or join the Tea Party.

No involvement will turn out like it is now, until it ends up as a war in this country.

Generic, greg, not addressing you.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

JAB, I'm fairly certain that in the 12 pages of this thread there are plenty of reasons for you to consider.

I know I've contributed some of them. If you disagree with them, I've already made the case for any argument

I've given.

[kieefer]

No, they don't willingly cede power, but ask that senator in Utah, or the one in Indiana why they're

facing primary challengers. We should put people up against people like Alexander or Corker, and

their counterparts in the House. The only way you are going to see this country work is if you make

it work. That means being a lot more engaged in the process. If you aren't willing to do that, you

don't have a right to bitch about the outcome. It takes grass roots work, just like that politician did

when he got into politics. Pitch in at the local level, push hard for what you believe in. Maybe become

a delegate. Either that or join the Tea Party.

No involvement will turn out like it is now, until it ends up as a war in this country.

Generic, greg, not addressing you.

That's the key. Change who we send to run our government at the local level and it will change at the top.

There are some good people trying to do what's best, it's just not enough of them to weed out the communists.

Romney is a good first step, in 2016 we might can do better.

[Guest Bassman17SC]

Hope and change we need no more. It is a time in our country's history where we need to make a choice: America,

or Amerika. It's that big of a difference.

^^This man knows what he is talking about.^^

I cannot for the life of me figure out how someone could even contemplate voting for the current President.

[E4 No More]

^^This man knows what he is talking about.^^

I cannot for the life of me figure out how someone could even contemplate voting for the current President.

Because the people who elect the president are the centrist of this country of which there are many. Mobilize the base is what we always hear, but it was independent white males that won the day for Oblamo - according to voting pattern studies after the election. Very conservative people do not appeal to the independent voters because the left wing can easily paint them as radical religious nuts who will force their beliefs on the masses, and the fundamental religious groups vocally supporting their candidate fosters the belief that that's exactly what the conservative candidate will do.

[mikegideon]

Because the people who elect the president are the centrist of this country of which there are many. Mobilize the base is what we always hear, but it was independent white males that won the day for Oblamo - according to voting pattern studies after the election. Very conservative people do not appeal to the independent voters because the left wing can easily paint them as radical religious nuts who will force their beliefs on the masses, and the fundamental religious groups vocally supporting their candidate fosters the belief that that's exactly what the conservative candidate will do.

Truth. Same reason Mittens rose to the top in the primaries.

[Oh Shoot]

...but it was independent white males that won the day for Oblamo - according to voting pattern studies after the election. ...

Hopefully all those who voted for Hussein the first time to prove they aren't racist will vote for Mitt this time to prove they're not stupid.

- OS

[Guest ThePunisher]

Hopefully all those who voted for Hussein the first time to prove they aren't racist will vote for Mitt this time to prove they're not stupid.

- OS

Yeah, I'm really anxious to find out the verdict.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Hopefully all those who voted for Hussein the first time to prove they aren't racist will vote for Mitt this time to prove they're not stupid.

- OS

Print that on a bumper sticker!