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Elections Matter
Author: BobR
Date: 2013-11-04 11:48:14
Elections Matter. That's simple enough. Most people seem to understand it. Most people get that there is a presidential election every 4 years. Some people get that there are "alternate" year elections on the even year between presidential elections when all House representatives have to run for office (as well as during the presidential election year - those terms are 2 years after all).
What most people don't seem to understand is that there is at least one election every year, sometimes more. They often get ignored because they're "only" for some small local office, like city government, or maybe a state House representative or something. Why bother taking the time for that?
The reason to bother is in the news every night. Many states have ramrodded anti-abortion restrictions that would make the Taliban proud. They've crushed unions, imposed voter ID laws, ignored climate change studies, passed "shoot-first-ask-questions-later" gun laws (with noble-sounding names like "Stand Your Ground"), and taken away a chance at Medicaid insurance for poor residents of their states for the sole reason that it's part of "Obamacare".
My state (Virginia) has an election this year - it's probably one of the more well-known in liberal circles because Rachel Maddow has been talking about it a lot. After the Republicans took over a few years ago, they passed a "trans-vaginal" ultrasound requirement for a woman seeking abortion. The current candidate would go further, attempting to outlaw them (Constitution be damned). He's also still the state Attorney General, fighting to protect a voter roll purge that benefits him. THAT'S the kind of crooked that needs to be kept out of state governments.
President Obama was in our back yard (figuratively - don't get excited now) campaigning for Terry McAullife, the Democratic candidate for VA governor. I'm not exactly thrilled by him, but he would put the brakes on the anti-woman trend the state the lawmakers have taken, and the state may actually finally get on the Medicaid plan that would help so many poor folks get the medical care they need. The key is turnout:
And that really is the crux of it. We complain that nothing gets done in the U.S. Congress. That would be preferable to the gross assaults on personal liberty and rights that have been occurring at the state level. The occupants of these critically important local and state government seats are getting selected by a tiny percentage of the voters in those areas. This is exactly the opposite of the way it should be - turnout percentage should be inversely proportional to the size of the people affected. Okay - everybody should always vote in every election, but we know THAT'S a pipe dream.
Nonetheless - you still have a day to find out what election is occurring in your area. This is one place to start, but really - you should know how to contact your local voter registration office to inquire. All elections matter, but the smaller local ones REALLY matter - do NOT miss your chance to choose the government you want where it really makes a difference.
What most people don't seem to understand is that there is at least one election every year, sometimes more. They often get ignored because they're "only" for some small local office, like city government, or maybe a state House representative or something. Why bother taking the time for that?
The reason to bother is in the news every night. Many states have ramrodded anti-abortion restrictions that would make the Taliban proud. They've crushed unions, imposed voter ID laws, ignored climate change studies, passed "shoot-first-ask-questions-later" gun laws (with noble-sounding names like "Stand Your Ground"), and taken away a chance at Medicaid insurance for poor residents of their states for the sole reason that it's part of "Obamacare".
My state (Virginia) has an election this year - it's probably one of the more well-known in liberal circles because Rachel Maddow has been talking about it a lot. After the Republicans took over a few years ago, they passed a "trans-vaginal" ultrasound requirement for a woman seeking abortion. The current candidate would go further, attempting to outlaw them (Constitution be damned). He's also still the state Attorney General, fighting to protect a voter roll purge that benefits him. THAT'S the kind of crooked that needs to be kept out of state governments.
President Obama was in our back yard (figuratively - don't get excited now) campaigning for Terry McAullife, the Democratic candidate for VA governor. I'm not exactly thrilled by him, but he would put the brakes on the anti-woman trend the state the lawmakers have taken, and the state may actually finally get on the Medicaid plan that would help so many poor folks get the medical care they need. The key is turnout:
The race is going to be decided by the few Virginians who choose to vote. The state Board of Elections chief says turnout could be as low as 30 percent of registered voters and the campaigns see 40 percent turnout as the goal.
"If mainstream Virginians from both parties don't turn out to vote, you're letting the tea party decide Virginia's future," McAuliffe said. More than 114,000 Virginians have already voted early.
And that really is the crux of it. We complain that nothing gets done in the U.S. Congress. That would be preferable to the gross assaults on personal liberty and rights that have been occurring at the state level. The occupants of these critically important local and state government seats are getting selected by a tiny percentage of the voters in those areas. This is exactly the opposite of the way it should be - turnout percentage should be inversely proportional to the size of the people affected. Okay - everybody should always vote in every election, but we know THAT'S a pipe dream.
Nonetheless - you still have a day to find out what election is occurring in your area. This is one place to start, but really - you should know how to contact your local voter registration office to inquire. All elections matter, but the smaller local ones REALLY matter - do NOT miss your chance to choose the government you want where it really makes a difference.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 11/04/2013 13:28:25
Good Morning! So Uncle Joe is coming to Virginia to stump for McAuliffe on the final day of the campaign. I just don't know where.
Raine on 11/04/2013 13:28:25
Good Morning! So Uncle Joe is coming to Virginia to stump for McAuliffe on the final day of the campaign. I just don't know where.
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 13:51:56
Raine on 11/04/2013 13:51:56
You know, if Sarvis (the alleged libertarian candidate) gets 10% of the vote, Virginia will officially have a third party: The Libertarian Party automatically on the ticket for congressional races in 2014.
This is probably a good thing for democracy -- but I think y'all know how I feel about libertarians.
This is probably a good thing for democracy -- but I think y'all know how I feel about libertarians.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 13:59:24
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 13:59:24
Then there is the problem I have. The Democrats don't even bother to try to run anyone against my useless congresscritter.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:02:54
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:02:54
In my local news, Jacksonville's favorite weatherman was arrested for DUI over the weekend. As of yet, I can't find the mugshot.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:07:29
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:07:29
Morning 
Comment by 
BobR on 11/04/2013 14:08:32
Was he drinking Dark and Stormies?
Forecast: slurry and belligerent with a chance of blackouts...
I crack myself up...
BobR on 11/04/2013 14:08:32
Quote by Mondobubba:
In my local news, Jacksonville's favorite weatherman was arrested for DUI over the weekend. As of yet, I can't find the mugshot.
Was he drinking Dark and Stormies?
Forecast: slurry and belligerent with a chance of blackouts...
I crack myself up...
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 14:09:33
Here you go!
Raine on 11/04/2013 14:09:33
Quote by Mondobubba:
In my local news, Jacksonville's favorite weatherman was arrested for DUI over the weekend. As of yet, I can't find the mugshot.
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 14:11:01
Raine on 11/04/2013 14:11:01
Rand paul plagiarism stuff gets worse.
Three Pages Of Rand Paul’s Book Were Plagiarized From Think Tanks
Three Pages Of Rand Paul’s Book Were Plagiarized From Think Tanks
Comment by 
Scoopster on 11/04/2013 14:12:55
Scoopster on 11/04/2013 14:12:55
Mornin' all.. 
back to the grind!
back to the grind!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:13:49
Uncle Joe is one I would love to see
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:13:49
Quote by Raine:
Uncle Joe is one I would love to see
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:15:13
Thanks!
His normally unruffled hair is mussed! YES!
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:15:13
Quote by Raine:Here you go!Quote by Mondobubba:
In my local news, Jacksonville's favorite weatherman was arrested for DUI over the weekend. As of yet, I can't find the mugshot.
Thanks!
His normally unruffled hair is mussed! YES!
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:18:15
Well played, Sir. Well played. Half the city was drunk on Saturday, the Florida-Georgia game was happening. It is billed as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:18:15
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
In my local news, Jacksonville's favorite weatherman was arrested for DUI over the weekend. As of yet, I can't find the mugshot.
Was he drinking Dark and Stormies?
Forecast: slurry and belligerent with a chance of blackouts...
I crack myself up...
Well played, Sir. Well played. Half the city was drunk on Saturday, the Florida-Georgia game was happening. It is billed as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:19:05
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 14:19:05
Mala, you will love TWD this week!
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 14:19:58
I believe it's going to be in Annandale.
Raine on 11/04/2013 14:19:58
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Uncle Joe is one I would love to see
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:32:06
I get that feeling - Talking Dead was intense about Carol!
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:32:06
Quote by Mondobubba:
Mala, you will love TWD this week!
I get that feeling - Talking Dead was intense about Carol!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:32:52
LOL - you think the giant flag is a dead giveaway?
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 14:32:52
Quote by Raine:I believe it's going to be in Annandale.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Uncle Joe is one I would love to see
LOL - you think the giant flag is a dead giveaway?
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 15:01:34
Oh and Michon! She had a change of facial expression.
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 15:01:34
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Mala, you will love TWD this week!
I get that feeling - Talking Dead was intense about Carol!
Oh and Michon! She had a change of facial expression.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/04/2013 15:03:01
Scoopster on 11/04/2013 15:03:01
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:07:02
That's ground breaking
Won't be able to watch tonight - Sleepy Hollow is back!
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:07:02
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Mala, you will love TWD this week!
I get that feeling - Talking Dead was intense about Carol!
Oh and Michon! She had a change of facial expression.
That's ground breaking
Won't be able to watch tonight - Sleepy Hollow is back!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:07:52
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:07:52
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 15:13:41
Sure!
Raine on 11/04/2013 15:13:41
Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Comment by BobR on 11/04/2013 15:17:39
oh man... was this from last night?
BobR on 11/04/2013 15:17:39
Quote by Scoopster:
oh man...
was this from last night?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:18:15
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:18:15
Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:19:06
*sniffle*
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:19:06
Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
oh man...
*sniffle*
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 15:34:59
Raine on 11/04/2013 15:34:59
Mala -- there was no attachment.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:36:48
On the one from pam@vaimports.net or wickedm@verizon.net
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:36:48
Quote by Raine:
Mala -- there was no attachment.
On the one from pam@vaimports.net or wickedm@verizon.net
Comment by BobR on 11/04/2013 15:38:40
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
BobR on 11/04/2013 15:38:40
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 15:39:05
Raine on 11/04/2013 15:39:05
pam@vaimports.net hasn't arrived. it was the home email.
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 15:39:41
Raine on 11/04/2013 15:39:41
let me check my junk mail folder.
Look! there it is!
Look! there it is!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:39:57
it'll be on the vaimports one. It was too big to send on Verizon. Thing is frickin' 11MB
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:39:57
Quote by Raine:
pam@vaimports.net hasn't arrived. it was the home email.
it'll be on the vaimports one. It was too big to send on Verizon. Thing is frickin' 11MB
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:40:15
YAY!
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:40:15
Quote by Raine:
let me check my junk mail folder.
Look! there it is!
YAY!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:41:23
For some reason I every time I try to ZIP something it doesn't reduce in size. It just mocks me by staying the same.
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 15:41:23
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
For some reason I every time I try to ZIP something it doesn't reduce in size. It just mocks me by staying the same.
Comment by 
TriSec on 11/04/2013 15:54:04
TriSec on 11/04/2013 15:54:04
Morning, comrades!
My district here in MA has had quite the run regarding elections. (8th Massachusetts).
We have the "regular" election tomorrow for city offices, but then there's another "special" on December 10 for Ed Markey's old seat. Do the math from when Senator Kennedy passed; we've had special and regular elections on average about every 6 months since then.
Kennedy --> Scott Brown --> Elizabeth Warren
John Kerry --> Ed Markey --> Open seat
'Course the big news is the Boston Mayoral race - Tommy is stepping down, and the fight has been vicious; don't know if it ever made national news.
My district here in MA has had quite the run regarding elections. (8th Massachusetts).
We have the "regular" election tomorrow for city offices, but then there's another "special" on December 10 for Ed Markey's old seat. Do the math from when Senator Kennedy passed; we've had special and regular elections on average about every 6 months since then.
Kennedy --> Scott Brown --> Elizabeth Warren
John Kerry --> Ed Markey --> Open seat
'Course the big news is the Boston Mayoral race - Tommy is stepping down, and the fight has been vicious; don't know if it ever made national news.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/04/2013 15:54:46
Will in Chicago on 11/04/2013 15:54:46
Good morning, bloggers!!
Elections do indeed matter. Last year, I voted for Joe Donnelly, Indiana Democratic Candidate for Senate. The Republican candidate for Richard Lugar's old seat was Richard Mourdock -- one of the many Republicans who stated women cannot become pregnant from being raped. So, if people here in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere in the state did not support Donnelly, there would be one more extreme Republican conservative in the Senate.
As for myself, I have some work this week for my holiday job and hope to get some subbing. I am job hunting and figuring out alternatives to some of my references who have vanished.
I am feeling okay after being a bit sad Friday about my Aunt Alvina passing away last week. The memorial service is this Sunday.
Elections do indeed matter. Last year, I voted for Joe Donnelly, Indiana Democratic Candidate for Senate. The Republican candidate for Richard Lugar's old seat was Richard Mourdock -- one of the many Republicans who stated women cannot become pregnant from being raped. So, if people here in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere in the state did not support Donnelly, there would be one more extreme Republican conservative in the Senate.
As for myself, I have some work this week for my holiday job and hope to get some subbing. I am job hunting and figuring out alternatives to some of my references who have vanished.
I am feeling okay after being a bit sad Friday about my Aunt Alvina passing away last week. The memorial service is this Sunday.
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 16:16:01
Ciancia
CIA-n-CIA
CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Raine on 11/04/2013 16:16:01
Ciancia CIA-n-CIA CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Comment by Scoopster on 11/04/2013 16:22:03
Or it's this guy..
Scoopster on 11/04/2013 16:22:03
Quote by Raine:
CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Or it's this guy..
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 16:26:31
May I ask who this fine fellow is?
Raine on 11/04/2013 16:26:31
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Or it's this guy..
Comment by Scoopster on 11/04/2013 16:29:24
Why that's Providence's notoriously legendary ex-mayor, Buddy Cianci(a)
Scoopster on 11/04/2013 16:29:24
Quote by Raine:May I ask who this fine fellow is?Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Or it's this guy..
Why that's Providence's notoriously legendary ex-mayor, Buddy Cianci(a)
Comment by 
clintster on 11/04/2013 16:36:46
Do you have a Dropbox or Skydrive? You could put it there and send a DL link.
clintster on 11/04/2013 16:36:46
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
For some reason I every time I try to ZIP something it doesn't reduce in size. It just mocks me by staying the same.
Do you have a Dropbox or Skydrive? You could put it there and send a DL link.
Comment by clintster on 11/04/2013 16:37:44
Dust storm.
clintster on 11/04/2013 16:37:44
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
oh man...
*sniffle*
Dust storm.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 16:39:52
not sure what those are, are they like Flickr or Photobucket?
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 16:39:52
Quote by clintster:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
For some reason I every time I try to ZIP something it doesn't reduce in size. It just mocks me by staying the same.
Do you have a Dropbox or Skydrive? You could put it there and send a DL link.
not sure what those are, are they like Flickr or Photobucket?
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 16:40:31
ohhhh....
I don't think he was the LAX shooter...
Raine on 11/04/2013 16:40:31
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:May I ask who this fine fellow is?Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Or it's this guy..
Why that's Providence's notoriously legendary ex-mayor, Buddy Cianci(a)
I don't think he was the LAX shooter...
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 16:41:24
Raine on 11/04/2013 16:41:24
Comment by clintster on 11/04/2013 16:41:30
https://www.dropbox.com/
clintster on 11/04/2013 16:41:30
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by clintster:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
For some reason I every time I try to ZIP something it doesn't reduce in size. It just mocks me by staying the same.
Do you have a Dropbox or Skydrive? You could put it there and send a DL link.
not sure what those are, are they like Flickr or Photobucket?
https://www.dropbox.com/
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 16:43:12
Thanks Clint
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 16:43:12
Quote by clintster:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by clintster:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Sure!Quote by wickedpam:
Hey Raine? If I email you something can you tell me how to fix it and make it look all professional and less messy?
Yay! Sending from my office email the attachment is 11MB. Look out of pam@vaimports.net
Not sure what the max attachment size is for Comcast. Can it be ZIPped?
For some reason I every time I try to ZIP something it doesn't reduce in size. It just mocks me by staying the same.
Do you have a Dropbox or Skydrive? You could put it there and send a DL link.
not sure what those are, are they like Flickr or Photobucket?
https://www.dropbox.com/
Thanks Clint
Comment by Raine on 11/04/2013 16:43:43
What a coochnozzle.
Raine on 11/04/2013 16:43:43
Quote by Raine:
Actual Politico headline:Ken Cuccinelli fights stench of doom
The candidate himself has tried to keep the mood light with self-deprecating humor. Democrat Terry McAuliffe and his allied outside groups crushed Cuccinelli and his backers by a factor of 25-to-1 in the air war last week.
“If you own a television, you know that,†Cuccinelli joked to supporters. “If you don’t, my opponent will buy you one if you’ll vote for him.
“I shaved my horns just for you all,†he deadpanned at another stop later.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/04/2013 16:43:50
wickedpam on 11/04/2013 16:43:50
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 16:46:56
Didn't Buddy bring public corruption into the realm of performance art? I know the name would that be why?
Mondobubba on 11/04/2013 16:46:56
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:May I ask who this fine fellow is?Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
CLEARLY IT A FALSE FLAG OP BY OBAMA!
Or it's this guy..
Why that's Providence's notoriously legendary ex-mayor, Buddy Cianci(a)
Didn't Buddy bring public corruption into the realm of performance art? I know the name would that be why?
Comment by TriSec on 11/04/2013 17:00:55
TriSec on 11/04/2013 17:00:55
So, TriSec managed to stave off a multi-hundred dollar purchase this weekend for a $10 fix.
Our dryer was not, uh, drying much anymore. I had all the bits apart, vacuumed everything, shone a flashlight down the outflow looking for blockage, all was good. But after the last failed dry last weekend, I kinda got mad and pulled everything apart and left it venting into the cellar. It worked!
Whilst investigating what was wrong, I discovered the louvers to the outside blocked with a considerable layer of lint.
So...a new vent pipe for $10 fixed the problem. Not bad, since the setup was original to our marriage. (circa 1996). I suspect I'll have to clean it again and replace the bits about 2030 or so.
(Side note - I think I should probably stay in the kitchen and let Mrs. TriSec deal with the appliances.)
Our dryer was not, uh, drying much anymore. I had all the bits apart, vacuumed everything, shone a flashlight down the outflow looking for blockage, all was good. But after the last failed dry last weekend, I kinda got mad and pulled everything apart and left it venting into the cellar. It worked!
Whilst investigating what was wrong, I discovered the louvers to the outside blocked with a considerable layer of lint.
So...a new vent pipe for $10 fixed the problem. Not bad, since the setup was original to our marriage. (circa 1996). I suspect I'll have to clean it again and replace the bits about 2030 or so.
(Side note - I think I should probably stay in the kitchen and let Mrs. TriSec deal with the appliances.)