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CincyDem

(6,960 posts)

75. And if we lived in a parliamentary system, that just might be applicable.

Thu Nov 6, 2014, 07:26 AM

Nov 2014

Voters don't offer a "vote of no confidence" when they don't show up. The offer a vote of "vote of screw me over".

I think it was Ansel Adams, the great American photographer, who was asked the secret of great photographs. His response "f/64 and be there". (for those not photo minded, that's a camera setting).

His point, more applicable to this conversation, was "be there".

The key to having a representative government "inform yourself and be there".

And I would respectfully submit that the voters are NOT weighting their options now for the future. The "voters" got the government they voted for. It's all those non-voters who might be weighing their options but other than grumble and bitch about the government, I doubt there are many sitting at home this week saying "dayum - I should have voted".

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This was the message from voters to the Dems... [View all] jmondine Nov 2014 OP

This is where the logic always falls apart for me. CincyDem Nov 2014 #1

The voters were not pouting. Ever heard of a 'vote of no confidence'? That's what voters sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #12

Vote of no confidence would be to show up and write in a candidate Hippo_Tron Nov 2014 #55

No, this election was a declaration from voters that they have no confidence in their government. sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #85

Call it what you want Andy823 Nov 2014 #106

This. Well said. Skidmore Nov 2014 #115

Exactly!!! And democrats will whine and while and whine. Effective action would have prevented RKP5637 Nov 2014 #152

Forget it.. SomethingFishy Nov 2014 #122

+1 an entire shit load. Enthusiast Nov 2014 #134

Thank you! And I agree, 'they' will never admit it, because they are happy with protecting their sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #163

Then they werent paying ANY attention to what was going on, because to say ALL randys1 Nov 2014 #127

The voice of the people speaks at the ballot box. arcane1 Nov 2014 #136

While I agree with the sentiment - this election was BOUGHT and PAID FOR... elzenmahn Nov 2014 #149

Okay, put yourself in a politician's shoes for a moment... Hippo_Tron Nov 2014 #160

And if we lived in a parliamentary system, that just might be applicable. CincyDem Nov 2014 #75

A vote of no confidence still requires you to vote. TeamPooka Nov 2014 #108

We are not talking about the political junkies . . . MrModerate Nov 2014 #13

I've been scolded by those who think this line of thinking is poppycock corkhead Nov 2014 #74

Then we need to create the candidates (and support) to get those things. CincyDem Nov 2014 #80

When you can spend millions developing a candidate get back to me. Bandit Nov 2014 #81

If you mean Richmond, we won jhart3333 Nov 2014 #118

The Tea Party marions ghost Nov 2014 #83

"I've been scolded by those who think this line of thinking is poppycock" did they get their ass jtuck004 Nov 2014 #109

Rediculous those were not on the ballot upaloopa Nov 2014 #129

Because elections have consequences. CincyDem Nov 2014 #76

If you were going to pick a leader in the Senate, whould YOU have picked Harry Reed? Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #18

Tip O'Neill liked to schmooze with Reagan Art_from_Ark Nov 2014 #36

According to Tweety,...but he's wrong.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #49

I heard-- and saw-- that long before Tweety Art_from_Ark Nov 2014 #54

Tip was the only one who could STOP a lot of the Reagan Era crap.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #64

But how much of the Reagan crap did he stop? Art_from_Ark Nov 2014 #70

It was before "trickle down" was a proven failure.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #72

But Reagan fired the PATCO air traffic controllers in mid-1981 Art_from_Ark Nov 2014 #73

Washington is known as "Hollywood for ugly people".... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #91

Reagan got his way because the "conservative coalition" (blue dogs and GOP) were the majority Hippo_Tron Nov 2014 #56

I understand that Art_from_Ark Nov 2014 #71

if either way your vote will go to a policy you don't support, WHY VOTE?! Scootaloo Nov 2014 #19

Well, there is a chicken-and-egg problem here, cemaphonic Nov 2014 #32

See, I don't think that's true Scootaloo Nov 2014 #46

I post this a lot, because I think it is the most insightful analysis of Democratic Party principles Maedhros Nov 2014 #103

Fascinating. Do you use that same principle in other areas? cheapdate Nov 2014 #65

You are a prime example of .. sendero Nov 2014 #79

"...in a forced choice situation (if you don't choose someone will choose for you)" cheapdate Nov 2014 #138

The logic falls apart either way. merrily Nov 2014 #41

Apathy AgingAmerican Nov 2014 #43

Do you mean that her view of each party had led to her not caring who wins? merrily Nov 2014 #51

When your party leadership AgingAmerican Nov 2014 #57

I'm over touting. Now, it takes results. merrily Nov 2014 #61

Just wait ... 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2014 #110

Sounds like what my mom calls 'bite your own nose to spite your face'. AKA 3 year olds. n/t DebJ Nov 2014 #124

"slip into" < It's already in anti-progressive hands. n/t jtuck004 Nov 2014 #142

really need to change the way we pick the people who are going to run. PatrynXX Nov 2014 #157

Because it's nonsense. JohnnyRingo Nov 2014 #159

really? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #2

Ain't that the damn truth. LAGC Nov 2014 #39

"Send our jobs overseas"? Marr Nov 2014 #68

As well as "tap our computer messages" LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #86

And republicans do? Crazy ass ones at that? onecaliberal Nov 2014 #3

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride... Spazito Nov 2014 #4

I know for a fact that the person who wrote this OP tavalon Nov 2014 #25

My post was referencing those who didn't vote not those who did... Spazito Nov 2014 #95

False. Liberals are the most reliable voters LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #87

If what you say is true then the percentage of Liberals is far less than 30%... Spazito Nov 2014 #93

I haven't seen any breakdown for 2014 yet, but here are the previous numbers LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #94

Here is the breakdown for the recent election... Spazito Nov 2014 #96

What I don't see in there--and maybe it is in one of the embedded links-- LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #99

Again, either the percentage of Liberals is very small or they did not all come out... Spazito Nov 2014 #102

From the data LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #105

Actually your stats bolster my point... Spazito Nov 2014 #131

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Nov 2014 #5

You might just have a point there. Voters for the most part passed progressive legislation Autumn Nov 2014 #6

The truth emerges for those that notice. Conservative dems just don't show up and vote! Rex Nov 2014 #23

...in Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia, Montana, Alaska? brooklynite Nov 2014 #7

Some people would feel compelled to offer proof of such a contention mythology Nov 2014 #8

So instead they voted republican? That makes no sense. BillZBubb Nov 2014 #9

I agree. They were dissatisfied and they voted for change. merrily Nov 2014 #45

And we Democrats did a really crappy job FLyellowdog Nov 2014 #47

It's worse than that; most people don't even know who's running what and many of them are our voters BeyondGeography Nov 2014 #77

Cow towing to Wall Street and not Wellstone ruled Nov 2014 #10

We should have destroyed Republicanism when we had a chance Elmer S. E. Dump Nov 2014 #11

I agree... SoapBox Nov 2014 #15

, blkmusclmachine Nov 2014 #14

They lost because they ran against themselves instead of running against the republicans Gore1FL Nov 2014 #16

Perhaps we should sent Obama the real message from the nation, at least many of us. Maineman Nov 2014 #17

Perfectly stated. MannyGoldstein Nov 2014 #20

Yeah, Republicans also thought they lost in 2006 because they weren't conservative enough Recursion Nov 2014 #21

No, for the most part they acknowledged that they were too racist/sexist. Ash_F Nov 2014 #50

Oh, sure, the party leaders did. I'm talking about the conservative blogosphere Recursion Nov 2014 #52

The OP and others make a point Ash_F Nov 2014 #58

America is all over the place and loves laws until they get written Recursion Nov 2014 #59

Politicians come and go Ash_F Nov 2014 #62

I certainly hope so Recursion Nov 2014 #63

Easy you are riling up the conservative dems that hardly show up to vote! Rex Nov 2014 #22

Incorrect. The message from Democrat voters to their candidates was: Sarah Ibarruri Nov 2014 #24

Yup gordianot Nov 2014 #27

+1 cheapdate Nov 2014 #53

Sarah is on point. nt Codeine Nov 2014 #82

The GOP voted against US. Dems fought amongst themselves. JoePhilly Nov 2014 #88

If Ford has a bad quarter, they don't get to shrug it off with "car buyers are stupid!". Marr Nov 2014 #89

Bullshit LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #97

I understand people not being inspired to vote steve2470 Nov 2014 #146

Bingo Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 2014 #161

Either that, or... TrollBuster9090 Nov 2014 #26

That's exactly the idiotic and infantile sort of thinking which keeps putting GOP in office Sarah Ibarruri Nov 2014 #29

I was thinking more of undecided voters, and democratic-leaning voters when I said that. TrollBuster9090 Nov 2014 #33

Keep on telling yourself the voters chose Sam Brownback geek tragedy Nov 2014 #28

Could not believe Brownback won..but I couldn't believe Scott in my state either florida08 Nov 2014 #113

delusional bullshit. Period. and ! cali Nov 2014 #30

Message our esteemed leaders heard... Ruby the Liberal Nov 2014 #31

I like the Democrats I voted for. Mr.Bill Nov 2014 #34

and I live in Utah... defacto7 Nov 2014 #42

Keep up the fight. Mr.Bill Nov 2014 #44

Dream on. n/t pnwmom Nov 2014 #35

Well, not exactly Zambero Nov 2014 #37

Absolutely WestCoastLib Nov 2014 #38

So, they voted Republican Because Republicans Would Advance... TomCADem Nov 2014 #40

No, they failed to vote at all LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #98

Is that why democrats didn't show up in elections past? JohnnyRingo Nov 2014 #158

Forget "not Liberal enough", we had candidates that barely ran as Democrats LondonReign2 Nov 2014 #164

I don't think that Kay Hagan or Michelle Nunn lost cheapdate Nov 2014 #48

I agree malletgirl02 Nov 2014 #144

Kay Hagen was profracking & pro-offshore drilling just like the rethugs RiverLover Nov 2014 #148

And yet I'd much rather have her in the Senate that Republican Thom Tillis. cheapdate Nov 2014 #153

Me too. Lesser of 2 evils for sure. RiverLover Nov 2014 #155

No.. NO "Period".. there were a lot of different factors.. and to those who stayed home and whined Cha Nov 2014 #60

I've posted this before and I'll post it again. defacto7 Nov 2014 #66

Wow! sheshe2 Nov 2014 #67

Very sad indeed Andy823 Nov 2014 #107

I don't think my wife's Missouri white redneck rural relatives... Last_Stand Nov 2014 #69

"We voted for progressive measures and propositions" DinahMoeHum Nov 2014 #78

Have to give the people something to vote for Yavin4 Nov 2014 #84

K&R because I think you can make this overall assumption and more often than not it is correct. NCTraveler Nov 2014 #90

And, they are amazed that people don't bother to vote. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2014 #92

Clarification from the OP jmondine Nov 2014 #100

I think you've got it wrong shenmue Nov 2014 #101

And yet those who did vote... jmondine Nov 2014 #104

agreed florida08 Nov 2014 #111

Thing is, that means it is up to US to run as progressive candidates in 2016. tridim Nov 2014 #112

I am so far from squeaky clean, I make Pig Pen look like Felix Unger jmondine Nov 2014 #116

I believe the main reason Dems lost was ... CaptainTruth Nov 2014 #114

Alaska was particularly schizophrenic in this regard. Blue_In_AK Nov 2014 #117

Exactly. Phlem Nov 2014 #119

Then why did the voters elect candidates on the far right? JohnnyRingo Nov 2014 #120

While I agree that the two statements are true jimlup Nov 2014 #121

Message: You didn't motivate us. You didn't differentiate yourself enough from the gridlockers. JPZenger Nov 2014 #123

Without very detailed exit polls can't say. One_Life_To_Give Nov 2014 #125

No this is the message upaloopa Nov 2014 #126

Explains why the young people tuned out. Octafish Nov 2014 #128

So I guess McConnell and Boner are going to upaloopa Nov 2014 #130

I think Norm Goldman is right. He said people are sick of a gov't that does nothing, napi21 Nov 2014 #132

K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Nov 2014 #133

The numbers say "we support a republican agenda". Votes not cast are votes not counted. arcane1 Nov 2014 #135

And that's why they voted for Republicans, Progressive dog Nov 2014 #137

You got like, WAY too much logic there for this thread Number23 Nov 2014 #143

Logic is seeing that most Progressives didn't see either party represent them, so they stayed home RiverLover Nov 2014 #147

No, "logic" is saying that someone doesn't represent me 100% Number23 Nov 2014 #162

They don't care. DireStrike Nov 2014 #139

The message was a yawn. hay rick Nov 2014 #140

You mean spying, drones, torture, bank fraud, and putting social security on the table whereisjustice Nov 2014 #141

Incorrect: The message was.... Liberal Veteran Nov 2014 #145

1,000 Recs swilton Nov 2014 #150

Dumbfounded. zentrum Nov 2014 #151

K&R DeSwiss Nov 2014 #154

You have to give people a reason to vote. They didn't. jillan Nov 2014 #156