Mklangelo

Why? How come in the Democratic Party, the voters don't decide who wins the primary?

How come in the Democratic Party, Michigan and Florida, who chose to have their primary elections earlier, knowing that their delegates would not be seated for that reason, decided to do it anyway? And then when Obama and Clinton needed those delegates, they tried to get them after the fact?

How come it's going to come down to what these Super delegates think? Most of them are high-powered politicians anyway.

It sounds and looks to me like the Democratic Party couldn't run a whorehouse in a gold rush.

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A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain

ash somers

no matter how hard i try. i still don't understand american politics ...

CodeRed

You know, I've had it explained to me several times, and I still scratch my head at the use of the word 'democratic' when describing the voting system in America.

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All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mklangelo

I take it your talking about the Electoral College, whereby our Presidents are elected, technically not the popular vote. This system differs from the way the American Democrat Party has it's Primary system set up. These strange "Super Delegates" are a creation of the American Democratic Party.


The purpose of the Electoral College is to balance out the large population centers becoming to dominant in an election. It requires widespread popular support for a candidate to win. Each Congressional district is formed to contain a certain number of citizens. Then each district is allowed one delegate for each Senator and Congressperson. There are 538 electoral delegates in the U.S. If a Presidential candidate wins that state, the delegates of that state vote for the candidate.

But this deal the Democrats have going is bizarre. It's as if that Super Delegate can do what he/she pleases and the voters be dammed. Technically the Electoral College Delegates don't have to either, but they always do.

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A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain

JosephB

At least you try. Sad to say, most Americans don't know, don't care. They look the gift horse of living in a representative democratic republic (not a democracy!) in the mouth and issue a collective yawn of indifference.

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"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
-- Albert Einstein

"I am really only interested in a fiction of miracles."
-- Flannery O'Connor

CodeRed

I suppose so. Up until about a month ago, when I spoke at length with an American friend of mine about our differing voting systems, I had assumed that it all worked much the same way that it does in Australia - minus the fact that voting is compulsory here. I do find it all very confusing, but fascinating none the less.
Here, our leaders - State and Federal - are elected by popular vote, with a two-party preferred system.

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All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mklangelo

Wow. Compulsory voting. I don't know about the average Aussie (well, I sort of do. Friendly, outgoing and all) but I can tell you that there are plenty of people here that shouldn't vote...lol

One of the strongest criticisms of the Electoral System is that it is a disadvantage to any Third Party. I would love a strong third party here in America. I feel that when it comes down to it, Republicans and Democrats are spending our future like drunken sailors on shore leave. China, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and others are building wealth via strong manufacturing bases. We are spending faster than we can print money and borrowing every day. America is in Deep Shit if Washington doesn't wake up fast and stop the bleeding.

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A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain

CodeRed

I suppose every country can lay claim to a fair percentage of idiots. Personally, I think politics should be a compulsory subject in high schools. Too many people are ignorant of how their own system works, or what their vote means beyond 'I don't want the funny talking guy, I want the guy that's been talking about (insert random, inconsequential issue here).'

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All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients. Ralph Waldo Emerson

chimchimski

Sooo well said...I am disgusted with this whole election right now...I mean being a Floridian and taking the time to vote and then what does it count for...absolute bullshit! I have to say we should just be asked our opinion..."What is your opinion for President?"...it will go about as far as my vote did.

Nope...I think this is about my last year of caring...I don't trust a thing these days...nothing!

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~Robin~


~Chimmy Has A Brand New Bag~

joifulartist84

Hear, hear!

As long as that Third Party can stop the bickering between candidates, I'm all for it. The only thing I ever hear from candidate commercials is that candidate Y says I shouldn't vote for X because X wants to allow [insert unacceptable policy here]. But X says that Y once voted to raise taxes.... I can't get a straight answer from anyone!

I feel like telling them to stop fighting or I'll put them in time-out.

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Salutations from my corner of the universe,
Joi


"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare. Some would say it has yet to occur on Earth."- Stephen Hawking

Malone

Democrats are idiots. Is that enough of an explanation?

Any politician that makes it to legitimate candidacy for president in our current system is too evil and corrupt to deserve anyone's vote.

We have this illusion of freedom, but our system is merely fifty-one percent of the population mandating the other forty-nine percent.

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There Is A Policeman Inside All Our Heads: He Must Be Destroyed


Malone's Mind
Everyday Madness Kindle Edition

lin

Part of the problem is the way that political parties...which are not and should not be an official part of the government...have crept into the structure. You end up only being able to vote for those who the parties put up and they control much of the eletorual process. This was NOT the idea of the founders and is warned against heavily by most of the original Americans like Washington and Jeffererson.

It's a ward politico's wetdream, of course. You get level after level at which to pulls strings and roll logs and play ball. And what it adds up to is a sorrier slate every year.

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Mklangelo

It is an illusion, of sorts. Stop paying your property taxes and you'll soon find out just how free you are. But as for 51% mandating the 49%, we either elect one President of 300 Million of em'. It has to boil down to one winner

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A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain

Mklangelo

Lobbyists, Pork and Earmarks. These will prove to be the downfall of this country. There are 538 assholes in Washington, each spending like there is no tomorrow. The problem is, most folks think the asshole that represents them is ok, since he's our asshole.

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A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain

Malone

I posted that out of context - my fault. I was referring to laws in general, not the president.

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There Is A Policeman Inside All Our Heads: He Must Be Destroyed


Malone's Mind
Everyday Madness Kindle Edition