Forum Post: No one owns me....
Posted 11 years ago on July 12, 2012, 8:37 p.m. EST by Skippy2
(485)
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No one owns my vote! I changed my registration from Democrat to Independent a week ago. Last night an Obama volunteer called my house asking if I'd support Obama. I advised her of my decision to leave the Dem party. She asked," why?". I listed Drone strikes, Gitmo, Kill list, Detention/killing of U.S. citizens by our military, Economy.etc. and she uttered an explitive and hung up. My brothers and sisters of OWS, I invite you to become an Independent. Be free of Corrupt party politics. State your Independence.
Someone woke up! Congratulations. Welcome to reality!
Most elections here in the U.S. are won on very small margins. 1% can easily sway an election. One does not need a lot of people to state their independence to be heard during election time. I don't know how much merit there is between the evil party and the really evil party, but one may be able to bargain for some table scraps in the process. Your idea has merit.
Hey, if everyone becomes "independent" then there is a chance to change things. Think about it - right now the dems and repubs are counting on the Independent voter to sway the vote.
If a 3rd party candidate runs in the next election and there are enough Independent voters there may be a chance.
That would definitely send a message to te dems and repubs.
There are already quite a few non-duopoly candidates running. You can still vote for one of them even if you are registered with another party. That's what I'll be doing.
You know as well as I it won't matter in this election - however - if a major effor is made between now and the next election - and the support and information is behind a 3rd party candidate who will stand up for the people then that will definitely have an impact.
How do you think the Dems and Repubs would react to a "independent" being President of the United States?
Just because a non-corrupted candidate won't win this time around, doesn't mean it doesn't matter. If we wait to vote for our principles until we are assured a good chance to win, the major parties will continue to get worse, and worse, and we will never have any real choices.
Well, of the two choices I would rather have a peson in office who knows what a P & L statement is and knows what needs to be done to have positive cash flow.
I don't want another candidate in office who doesn't know what a P & L statement is and could care about what needs to be done to have positive cash flow.
There is a big difference in the thinking of the economy and what needs to be done to prop it up.
The problem is how one makes the profit; there is nothing inherently wrong with a company making a profits. That's how they stay in business,
When, however, a person makes a profit by being a corporate raider, outsourcing jobs, dismantling companies to sell what's left, laying off thousands of people, there's a real problem with that person: they have no scruples, no morals, and care not at all for the working person.
As far as cash flow goes, the United States is strapped for money because the politicians waste so much for corrupt causes instead of even taking the time to consider the impact to the average worker.
My personal choice is to get rid of all the current politicians and start the whole system over. Barring that, I don't think any sane person can want the Paul Ryan budget to pass; want Social Security, Medicare, and other safety net programs eviscerated; want even more defense spending for boogey-man paranoia. The so-called foreign "terrorists" have done far less damage to this country than men like John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama.
I wish their was a sane, viable candidate. Instead, we're stuck with domestic terrorists in the guise of politicians. Maybe we, the working people, should starting treating the politicians like the terrorists they are.
I'll vote for the candidate that knows how to bring the troops home.
Like we did in Iraq? Yeah!! Go Pres Obama!!
One that would have brought the soldiers in Afghanistan home early in his first term.
Almost there boss. hang on. be patient he's doin everything you want.
Took office in 2009. Out of Afghanistan in 2014. We fought world war II in less time. My patience has been exhausted.
"out in ....." Out is what we want. Out is what we are getting. I'm movin on. I'm gonna focus on getting rid of the politicians who created, support, the conservative patriot act, NDAA, warrentless wiretaps.
Lets vote out all the conservative policy supporters.
NDAA was 93-7 vote in the Senate. And Obama signed it.
Fire them all. Every single last one of those losers. Get rid of all of em.
Pres Obama managed to maneuver the power into his personal control in order to rescind it with executive signing. So Pres Obama ended the threat for the time he holds office. We all know repubs would not do that!
NDAA has been appropriately struck down by Dem appointed liberal judge in Bklyn (yeah boyee). House Dems tried to repeal it, but your House repubs defeated the repeal.
Pres Obama is against NDAA. Mounted no effort against the court case that struck it down. Has made no attempts to overturn the courts finding.
That is difference between Dems and repubs on this 1 issue.
Vote out pro NDAA politicians
Its Health Care Reform, duh.
I dont want you to follow me, or anyone else. Lead yourself. Think for yourself.
I do think for myself. Who do you think I am following? I don't get this new insulting accusation.
"duh"?- offensive. insults=weak arguments.
Health care reform is a great start. Now we just have to get apublic option and destroy the criminal private health insurance industry.
And if lower courts found against it goes to SCOTUS who found it constitutional. Sounds like the court system worked.
I don't understand your problem with the court challenge/success of health reform. Are you against Health reform?
Vote out anti public option politicians
Plenty of courts have struck down HCR too, but it is still the law of the land.
You need to wake the hell up to what is going on. Stop following and start leading.
Oh you want me to follow you.
HCR? Whassat oh fearless leader.?
Dude check out the kid in this video, this is they type of person we need in Congress...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDCXzqgD99o&feature=player_embedded
This is the kind of person we need in the sheeple.
The foundations of power would crumble.
No, the foundation of power would not crumble, but it would definitely change in a positive manner towards the working class.
So, look at it as a start = then work on the legislatures and continue to make changes there - Once the switch has been turned on and people realize that it will work there is no telling where it will stop and it may not.
Just think no Dems or Repbs just independents - who can vote on subject matter rather then decisions based on getting votes. No more class warfare.
Good post, thanks.
I figure we can split our 3rd party voes between Stein and Johnson. No way we will win. BUT, maybe we can get the elite's attention if the greens and libs can capture double digit votes!
That being becuz the 99% are split bt libs and cons. Like the tea party and ows should jump in that strange political bed
What options do you have as an Independent?
Personally I see his action more as something that shakes up the status quo. The type of thing that if enough people do it, then the party being abandoned might get the message to return to it's goals as stated rather then pandering to small groups and playing politics.
We are still stuck with a choice between two parties unless we begin running candidates for office in both of them to shake things up. There is always the dream of some kind of revolution, personally I believe that's all it is though, a dream. I don't see enough misery in the country for meaningful revolutionary change.
Good point. There are a few different sides to this if you look at what LetsGetReal said, but I see what you are saying.
In a close election where the candidates are already picked his action, if duplicated by enough people could be a dash of reality to a candidate. You can always reregister in December for the next round of primaries.
MsStacy I agree with the first part of your post. As to the second, If enough people flee the rep/dem parties you may see real change. Our system cannot continue to support Professional/Life time politicians. We cant keep electing corrupt politicians just because they belong to "our"party.
I agree. I think the biggest mistake Occupy has made was that it failed to make any attempt to get involved in recruiting candidates and running them. Take that first step toward eliminating the life time politician.
We are not stuck with the choice of two candidates. That is what we have been conditioned to think. Same with the conservative voter.
Political power comes from our submission to it. Stop submitting by voting for the person instead of the party and take back our power!
Personally I already do. I vote on an issue, who supports my view, not the party. Too often though what is said and what is done are very different. Who knew when you voted for Obama you were voting for a continuation of many Bush policies? I have 4 choices, third party, Obama, Romney, or sit at home. Obama has failed to keep his promises, he's made himself impossible to support. Unfortunately I don't like the choices I'm left with either.
I felt the same way. My tactic is to vote for the candidate who shares my view that the people must share responsibility in government and not be servants to it.
Vote for the person and not the party. Blind allegiance to the overall party has gotten us in this mess, focused allegiance on individual quality will get us out.
There are many other choices out there that the media does not report on. You will need to diligently search them out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2012#Speculated_candidates
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Anderson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Johnson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Stein
We got in this problem because we let the plutocrats take over both parties and rigg the system against the 99%.
We must take the govt back. If the party duopoly remains we must coopt one of the parties. We must then undo conservative policies by passing progressive solutions.
It's the only way.
Vote the candidate who supports progressive solutions.
I thought you want direct democracy? Eliminate the parties and their power will flow back to the people.
Definately. All issues voted on by all citizens (wkly, online) I love it. Support it. March for it. Until then I will not let up on the politicians who support conservative plutocratic policies. Theres an election in 15 weeks.
Are we together on that.?
If you continue to support the enemy of direct democracy, the party, how will you ever obtain it?
We cannot encourage progressives to give up they're right to vote. We would be surrendering more power/control to the conservative 1% plutocrats.
The path to direct democracy is inevitable, and unavoidable. We must keep protesting/pressuring for the election/campaign law changes (more progressive) that we need. Grow the movement by joining up with all supporters of progressive solutions. (even if they are/were conservatives).
At the same time we must elect more progressives. Vote out supporters of the conservative policies that serve the plutocrats.
It's the only way.
You with us?
I'm with the people who want to elect candidates by quality and integrity, not by how liberal or conservative they are or what party labels are attached.
The question is, are you with us?
I'm with the people who want to improve the lives of the 99% by implementing progressive solutions to the conservative policies that have destroyed opportunity for the middle class.
Public health care option
Higher taxes on wealthy (90% tax rate)
free college (expand Pell grants)
Stringer regulations on finance, big agri, big pharma, big oil, etc
Green tech/infrastructure investment/job creation
Quality and integrity is required, It is obvious, it is lacking and certainly is an important demand. But the right policies are critical. I won't vote for a candidate who wants to cut wealthy taxes and corp regs even if they have integrity.
Will you?
Quality would imply that they have the critical skills to make proper decisions. A party label does not guarantee that. A progressive or conservative label does not guarantee it either.
I would rather see someone who understands the nuts and bolts of economic theory make the decisions about how it's levers and wheels are arranged. Would you rather have a progressive auto mechanic or a qualified one?
I don't want conservative policies. They have been at the root of our problems.
What conservative policy could possibly help the 99%. If such a policy exists I would support it. I don't think it exists.
I challenge anyone to present a conservative policy that would help the 99%.
Really. I wanna hear it. That is how you might shut me up.
Is Glass-Steagal a conservative or a liberal repair? What about term limits? Campaign finance limits? Prosecuting wall street executives?
I don't see the point in affixing a label. Just using the one that is most appropriate.
I don't want to shut you up. I just want hear something beside R and L.
Oh I see get an auto mechanic who is both conservative and progressive.
You are truly a sage of immeasurable knowledge. Where would find such an individual.?
Low taxes on the wealthy is definately part of the problem. 90% taxrate on the 1% send that money back to the 99% they stole it from.
Yes workers should demand higher wages. Lets make it easy for them to organize. Support unions.
The auto mechanic needed is the one who sees both sides but does not limit himself to either side. He is neither conservative or progressive. He can't be labeled. He chooses whichever method of repair is the best, whether it is from the left or from the right or somewhere in between.
I don't drive but I'll play.
How about a qualified progressive auto mechanic.
Quality and integrity is required, It is obvious, it is lacking now and certainly is an important demand. But the right policies are critical. I won't vote for a candidate who wants to cut wealthy taxes and corp regs even if they have integrity.
Will you?
"How about a qualified progressive auto mechanic." He is limited in his approach, working from one side of the car only. Same problem with a conservative mechanic. Get one who can work from both sides.
There is more than one way to skin a cat. Instead of cutting the wealthy's taxes, the workers should collectively bargain for higher wages. This will help eliminate government spending on the safety net of additional social services, and reduce the income of the wealthy at the same time.
Low taxes on the rich aren't the problem. The disparity in wealth is. Treat the disease, not the symptom.
Glass Steagal is more regulation, liberal/progressive,
Term limits for pres put in place by conservatives to prevent another populous president like FDR.
Campaign finance limits are progressiv. conservatives like unlimited corp donations. Progressive prefer public financing (no contributions)
Prosecuting wall street execs. Progressive. Conservatives would let them all go scott free. Liberals haven't done enough but they have made some weak attempts.
The point of these labels that I didn't make up (It is an historical reality.) is to educate the public. We don't want to confuse people into believing everyone is the same. Or every policy is the same. Some policies are better than others.
Sorry. It;s the only way.
Peace
Choice. And the option to not support that with which I disagree.
Well, okay, but no matter how one registers to vote, one always has the same choices, no? You don't technically increase your choices by registering as an Independent although you may rid yourself of annoying party phone calls.
More than just a name change. I will do my best to evaluate each candidate on his/her own merits ,regardles of party. I will give greater weight to non-incumbents. In the past, I voted "the party line" thinking things would change for the better. No longer.
Gotcha. Fair enough.
You might also consider checking out the candidates campaign funding sources here:
http://www.opensecrets.org/elections/index.php
Buddy Roehmer and Rocky Anderson don't accept more than $100 from a single contributor. There might be a couple more.
Thanks, I will. A politician who makes a personal decision to limit contributions deseves a second look.
I just checked Buddy Roemer's website, he has suspended his campaign. Rocky Anderson & The Justice Party looks like they are still in the hunt.
Depending on the state, you might reduce your choices. My state has closed primaries. You can only vote in the primary election of the party you are registered with. I've never seen any non-duopoly party here have a primary runoff, so if I were to change my registration from Dem to Ind, I would actually reduce my choices.
I vote in the Dem primaries and In the general election, I am free to vote for whomever I choose from any party.
I can understand the desire to switch just on principal though.
Good point.
Experience the freedom of Independence! If you are Rep or Dem change your voter registration to Independent. The parties are keeping track of the numbers. Show them both that the Status Quo is not permanent. Rattle thier cage and switch.
Agree.
I will gladly throw away my vote on the candidate who won't likely win, if they will but dispense with the lip service of politics and represent truth, justice, and liberty for all.
Correct. Even if the candidate fails in one election, each vote gives him/her standing for the next one.
Great point. It really is a process of building strength and momentum.
Well, I'm sure not going to throw my vote away by giving to a Dem or Rep.
Vote D or R only if you want to vote for corporations and special interest groups.
Not to mention indefinite detention of American citizens without charges or trial or any sort of due process, based on some secret assessment the pres makes that we don't get to know about. Scary stuff.
Secrecy is the beginning stage of tyranny.