The scene: Jacksonville, Florida
The issue: write-in's for the 2008 election
Who won?
Ranking as follows
Hillary Clinton
Ron Paul
None of the above
Jesus
.
.
.
Donald Duck
.
.
George W. Bush (NOTE: senior or jr wasn't specified - third term?)
Quack! this really got me thinking... are people really that ignorant?
My conclusion:
simply put, YES.
no, i'm still not over this election. I still believe that society is dictated by an educated few (education does not simply impling school, more so well read and able to think critically) that use their powers of persuasion via marketing (internet, tv, and so forth) over the uneducated mass. The poor bastards...
It also seems people are generally afraid to think for themselves and more apt to follow the masses. if they do take the time to actually read, they simply absorb, not considering other sources and points of view, and thus blindly accept. Only a few absorb while thinking critically for themselves and coming to their own conclusions.
Case in point - look at what happens when people do try to "think (i use this word loosely) on their own".
donald duck is elected as president.
Ok, so he didn't receive a majority - nice work Jacksonville.
Can you imagine if he did?
ok it's a long shot - but think about it.
Let's start a campaign for donald duck. I mean if arnold and ronald both could do it, why not donald? he's equally famous.
And consider this - write-ins for 2008 were at an all time high - 97,000 (and still counting) - more people wrote in random names (like donald) than voted for the independent party or than voted for ron paul. Boy would I love to see a nation-wide list of write-ins. i'm working on that one...
So in short, should i conclude that the educated few need to persuade the less than willing mass to follow their ways just to avoid potential quacking?
perhaps.
Some Plants Are Simply Female
12 hours ago
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4 comments:
Quack!! Chaya I cannot possibly agree with you anymore! I have much to say on this. Instead of drawing it out here, I invite you to come to my page and see my post in response to your post.
Is it ignorance or just a sign of severe frustration with the system? A communal "fuck it," as it were. Honestly, with how despondent I felt staring at the ballot I'd almost prefer to take my chances with an imaginary Disney character than the real life choices we had (I didn't but I could totally understand where some of those votes were coming from). We have a bi-party system where both parties have been taken over by the extremes and if you don't serve those mantras, no support in the political system. There is no middle anymore. It's been bought out.
Although, I will agree that the average man is incredibly stupid. But thanks to personal injury lawyers, natural selection has been made obsolete by those stupid labels now on everything.
Well - there is no doubt in my mind it's a big f-U to the system... BUT a thoughtless one.
Voting for jesus, donald or hillary for that matter is a meaningless ballot cast. why? cause - each state is different in how they handle write-ins and according to what i've read so far... florida is a state that only considers write ins that have publicly filed with florida to be considered as a write in. So anyone voting for a person who is either not on the ticket OR not a (state-specific) 'confirmed' write in - is essentially not voting. why waste everyone's time? including mine :)
SO, it's a really dumb way to make a statement. voting is always a less of two evils in that there is no one candidate that will make everyone happy and extremes allow clear distinction to be made between parties. people also respond more strongly to issues that pertain to them personally as opposed to considering the nation as a whole (well d'uh! help me refinance my arm which is up this spring and i'll vote for YOU!) IE how many elderly were in support of Hillary because of her strong consideration of not only health care but medical costs for seniors. Answer - a lot. Just go talk to some about their thoughts. (yes my 'representative' sample could be biased :) )
Here is what i would LOVE to see (but never will). demographic stats on who voted for whome (including these write ins)... those exit polls are obviously biased but all we've got. then we can really have a discussion...
and i don't think people are stupid as much as lazy. those who are able to read are a majority and thus should be able to make their own decisions and educate themselves. it just takes more effort to think and be aware.
PS. i recognize that i'm lazy too as to live my life the way it would be best (ie least impact on the environment, always making informed, educated decisions, selfless, etc etc...) i would have to devote much more time than i'm willing/able to - to read and think more.
BUT i still wouldn't vote for donald duck.
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