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Do you find it difficult to ally yourself with either major political party?
Asked at Massachusetts Street on September 28, 2008
“No, of course not. Sarah Palin is so pretty.”
“No, because Barack Obama is black. It’s about time a brother’s going to get in office.”
“Yes. I’m a middle-of-the-road kind of person, so I often find it very difficult to decide who to vote for.”
“No. I’m a Democrat and I always vote Democrat regardless of the candidate.”
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Comments
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sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…
Today's OTS wins the award for the most "Wait ... are they being facetious?" answers.As far as the question ... I find it difficult to care about either major political party.
denak (anonymous) says…
Wow, three of those answers were sad! I hope at least one of them was trying to be funny.To answer the question, yes, I do find it difficult to ally myself with either political party. There are some things that I believe that would be considered "conservative" and then there are things that I believe that are considered "liberal." Even though I tend to lean towards the Democrats, I wouldn't neccessarily fit the definition of Democrat.I think most people are like that. Dena
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"There are some things that I believe that would be considered "conservative" and then there are things that I believe that are considered "liberal.""Bah, traitor. How dare you not be a cardboard cut-out that quotes what we say you should believe?Somehow, I don't think I need to actually answer this question.
tanzer (anonymous) says…
they aren't kidding.
zettapixel (anonymous) says…
I for one am tired of the 2 party system. How about the Libertarian party? Let's hear some more about their presidential candidate! Obama and McCain are so full of the same ol' same ol' that it's simply unbearable!
nobody1793 (anonymous) says…
For the sense of humor impaired they are in order: Kidding, kidding, not kidding, not kidding.
ihatelv (anonymous) says…
Those answers cement my opinion of people in Lawrence.....
canyon_wren (anonymous) says…
I'm with Denak on this one, and agree that it would be nice to think the three mentioned WERE kidding, but that seems unlikely. I consider myself a conservative enviromentalist, and don't align myself with either the right wing or the far left. Both are totally irrational, in my view. I surely do wish we had a housecleaning of Congress and a chance at some different parties. Maybe the major parties differ in some respects, but a total disregard for the mainstays of our society who actual keep us afloat, etc. is a shared characteristic--their "goals" differ, is all.This has to be one of the most discouraging elections we have had in quite a while.
bondmen (anonymous) says…
The Republican party is often the stupid party - bending their good principles in an attempt to gain favor with the liberal media establishment while the Democrat party musters a crusty coalition of ne'er-do-wells, shyster lawyers, abortionists, radical homosexuals, pornographers and evolutionists.The dinosaur media's shrinking giants pay absolutely no attention to the Libertarian and Constitutional party folks who do stand on principle and not on personality!
bndairdundat (anonymous) says…
My dog has given better reasons than these fine examples on the street. Please, please please talk to your friends, relatives, co-workers regardless of their party affiliation. Encourage them to vote. If they aren't registered download the forms and get them registered. There is still time.
punkrockmom (Nikki May) says…
Wow, my belief is you can vote for who you want, but make sure you have a good reason. Some people vote for enviornmental issues, some for abortion, just whatever. It scares me how little thought is going into this. Straight ticket voting isn't good (whether it's the candidate I like or not), voting because they are pretty or of a certain skin tone is also not good. I'm hoping these are jokes. By the way, am I the only person that doesn't think Palin is pretty? I just don't. Anyway, we didn't get the voters that say, "My husband/parent/friends are voting for... so I am too." Sadly, even if these particular people are joking around, there are many who aren't.
sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…
"I have never even considered voting for a Repulsivcan President. Never!"What's really sad is that stance requires about the same amount of actual thought as the first two answers at the top of the page.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…
DUH! because a candidate is 'pretty' or 'black' is not a reason to ally with them in my opinion. OMG if this is what our younger generation is thinking we're in BIG trouble. This is scary. What's happened with 'gut instincts', commen sense' and just basic intelligence? I am democrate and I will always vote that way, but not if the candidate is not up to the mark then I'll skip that part and just vote for the questions. And then Austria is allowing 16 years to vote. I hope that doesn't happen in this country.
BABBOY (anonymous) says…
I do not have any trouble seeing a difference between the two. One side trys to help the under privledged and one side try to protect the privileged status quo. If you do not over think things, and make a decision, it is not so hard to pick a side. But, I do not like to sit on my butt and debate things and prefer to try to do something about what I believe in.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
A repeat on the humor-impaired note is, perhaps, in order.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
I'm thinking maybe a few posters are a bit uptight. They should get a massage.Heck, forget them, I'll just get a massage.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
RET: "Heck, forget them, I'll just get a massage."Republican.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
Yes.
nobody1793 (anonymous) says…
jonas_opines (Anonymous) says: A repeat on the humor-impaired note is, perhaps, in order.Uh, ok.For the sense of humor impaired they are in order: Kidding, kidding, not kidding, not kidding.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Tangi,I much rather prefer: semi-conservative revisionist anarchist.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
The Democans or the Republicrats, either way when they get "bi-partisan" we get screwed to the tune of $700 billion.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
tange: "... Republican"RET: "I much rather prefer: semi-conservative revisionist anarchist."In RETrospect, I apologize for having resorted to name-calling( and the lowest, most despicable sort of name-calling, at that ).I anticipate and accept removal of my former post, any moment now.
bluerose (anonymous) says…
noelle, steven,please don't vote. just don't. at least until you wake up.pretty has nothing to do with it.nor does race. first, please READ and pay attention and THINK. then vote.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
The social issue stances taken by Republicans during the last couple of decades makes being a Democrat very easy for me. Voting strictly party line, however, is too easy and not good for the country. It should come down to the candidates ... and how pretty they are, of course. (Great answer, Ms. Cline.)
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Are most LJW OTS commenters devoid of humor on Sunday mornings? KiddingKiddingNot KiddingProbably brain dead
christie (anonymous) says…
Because I put country first and since Sarah Palin is a THREAT to national security the choice is easy,. Couple that with McCains policy to raise taxes on my health care benefits the choice is easy.Obama/Biden 2008
prospector (anonymous) says…
Yes, I have a hard time telling them apart. To me, they are "Republicats". They all talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. I like Libertarian ideas for the most part. Fix the roads and protect the borders, period. Get the hell out of everything else. I can dream can't I?When seriously asked what my "gut" feelings were about the elections, my response was "indigestion".Pancakes sure sound good right now.
prospector (anonymous) says…
That should be "Republicrats".
beatrice (anonymous) says…
The Republicats is an old Disney film about a group of felines who take over the White House and stop WWIII. Extremely cute. The Republicrats is the punchline of a very dirty joke.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
bea: "The Republicrats is the punchline of a very dirty joke."Is that the one about the son who followed the father into the White House?
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) says…
I vote for the one whose butt would look nicest in a pair of Levis. So far Palin is ahead! But I wouldn't count Obama out yet.
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
Some advice that we've forgotten:"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally."This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy."The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty."Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address
sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…
I just need to clarify: do we know the first two are kidding, or are we just assuming they're kidding? I ask because that's not necessarily the safest assumption; there are more than a few people who actually would give those as serious answers.
leaam (anonymous) says…
I seriously hope the first one is kidding....Who would vote for someone because she's pretty?
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) says…
I'm not so sure if the second one is kidding or not. And the last person sounds like a lot of people I know.
shorttrees (anonymous) says…
Thank You Agnostick!!
gl0ckUser (anonymous) says…
leaam- I would vote for someone who is pretty because I am an ass hole like that, Screw what their views are- hay if they are pretty like me and look as good as me in a dress then they are a contender !
JJE007 (anonymous) says…
Our votes don't count because we don't count. What great difference could a vote make? The lowest common denominator rules and is ruled by the elite. So...money flows, grass grows and the sky is blue.
KS (anonymous) says…
I am old enough to have seen first hand that we have indeed, dumbed down America. Be careful what you wish for. Make sure that if you vote for change, it is the change you truly want! My bet is that if Obama is elected and I sense he will be, that it will not be long before people will deny ever voting for him. It is hard to practice democracy. Learn about your candidate before you vote.
gogoplata (anonymous) says…
Yes. I am disgusted by the republican party. And equally disgusted by the democratic party.
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
Be a true patriot, and abandon these liars and fools and demand a Constitutional Party. It has been a slow slide to socialism which may soon become a free fall into total government control.
bflees (anonymous) says…
Remember my friends: Americans voting for McCain/Palin are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
KS: "My bet is that if Obama is elected and I sense he will be, that it will not be long before people will deny ever voting for him." I disagree. What those of us who vote for him will do is what hasn't happened among Republicans and the current administration -- we will hold him accountable for his actions and how closely they come to meeting his promises. I bet Obama will be a great president, and by the end of his second term people will wish he could stay for a third, rather than hand the keys over to his successor, Hillary Clinton.
Easy_Does_It (anonymous) says…
What if we change Noelle and Steve's answers just a little. Noelle - yes because Sarah Palin is white and it's time we got a sister in the "white" house. Steve - Yes because Barack is so good looking, he looks and talks just like a president should.We should reach out to more disenfranchised voters, they need a voice.
dr_k (anonymous) says…
Dear Lord, put the crack pipe down Bea.
mtoplikar (Matt Toplikar) says…
This is hilarious! I am shocked and amazed at how many people actually thought the first two people were being serious. When Ali G/Borat first came out, I always figured that if it ever happened in Lawrence folks would be too smart to fall for anything like that. I guess I was wrong if there are so many readers that can't even pick up the obvious sarcasm in these quotes.Let me reassure you guys one last time. They are kidding-- don't freak out-- jokes are funny.