Just One Vote-Shopping Day 'Til the Election

A final thought.

Jesse Walker | 11.5.2012 9:32 AM

There's nothing like the last few days before an election to show you just how apocalyptic the narcissism of small differences can get. I will be so glad when this is over.

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Question of Auban 13 years ago

"In truth, in the case of individuals, their actual voting is not to be taken as proof of consent, even for the time being. On the contrary, it is to be considered that, without his consent having ever been asked, a man finds himself environed by a government that he cannot resist; a government that forces him to pay money, render service, and forego the exercise of many of his natural rights, under peril of weighty punishments. He sees, too, that other men practise this tyranny over him by the use of the ballot. He sees further that, if he will but use the ballot himself, he has some chance of relieving himself from this tyranny of others, by subjecting them to his own. In short, he finds himself, without his consent, so situated that, if he use the ballot, he may become a master; if he does not use it, he must become a slave." Lysander Spooner
1. np 13 years ago
  
  may have an effect for local politics, not so for national politics
  1. Citizen Nothing 13 years ago
    
    I'm sure I've told this story before: a levy for my local school district once lost by one vote. Ha ha! My vote does count!
    Of course they "found" a couple of "Yea" votes in the recount.
    1. Almanian's Evil Twin 13 years ago
      
      PWND
    2. Brandybuck 13 years ago
      
      In a town near where I grew up, the mayoral race was exactly tied. The recounted a couple of times, and still tied. So both candidates agreed to a coin toss to decide the race. One candidate would flip while the other called. But one candidate cheated during the coin flip. True story.
      
      http://articles.latimes.com/19.....uncil-race
      1. Sevo 13 years ago
        
        "But one candidate cheated during the coin flip."
        Dog bites man...
      2. The Hammer 13 years ago
        
        The City Council had the option of hearing an audio recording before ruling on the election, but members voted against that and certified Walley the winner.
        
        Democracy!
sarcasmic 13 years ago

"Political tags ? such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth ? are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire. The former are idealists acting from highest motives for the greatest good of the greatest number. The latter are surly curmudgeons, suspicious and lacking in altruism. But they are more comfortable neighbors than the other sort."

? Robert A. Heinlein
1. Question of Auban 13 years ago
  
  I love that quote. Time Enough for Love and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress are two of my favorite novels of all time.
Question of Auban 13 years ago

I live in Florida, where we can vote early. I have already voted. I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. I don't know who will win but I will tell you this - I don't see nearly the number of Obama signs or bumper stickers as I did four years ago.
1. Suthenboy 13 years ago
  
  I have seen a total of two obama signs. Romney signs are everywhere.
  Granted, I dont habit the places where obama signs are likely to be. I dont recall seeing any on the few occasions I have been through those areas
  1. JW 13 years ago
    
    I saw my first Gary Johnson bumper sticker this morning. Zod bless their futile little hearts.
    1. sarcasmic 13 years ago
      
      There was a story in the local paper about a convenience store owner who was forced to remove his Gary Johnson signs after upset patrons expressed their tolerance by boycotting his store.
      1. JW 13 years ago
        
        I've always felt that was a rather stupid thing to do, for a retail shop owner to endorse a candidate in their window. No good can come from it.
        
        You're their to sell soap to the prols. Nothing else.
        
        Question of Auban 13 years ago
        
        It depends upon the location and culture of the community I think.
        
        sarcasmic 13 years ago
        
        It's OK to endorse Democrats.
        
        Anything else is intolerant, and it is the duty of tolerant people to shut down anything they deem to be intolerant.
        
        Rights-Minimalist Autocrat 13 years ago
        
        You're Your their there to sell soap to the prols.
        
        FIFY
        
        WhatAboutBob 13 years ago
        
        You're YourYou their there to, sell soap to the prols.
        
        FIFY
        
        Rights-Minimalist Autocrat 13 years ago
        
        I was going to do another variation with "sope" but I got tired of typing code.
      2. Question of Auban 13 years ago
        
        What city? If he lives near me I will shop there every time I get a chance!
        
        sarcasmic 13 years ago
        
        Some shithole in central Maine where murders go unsolved since there are no dental records and everyone's got the same DNA.
        
        Question of Auban 13 years ago
        
        I don't live in Maine so I will not be able to patronize the store.
    2. Question of Auban 13 years ago
      
      The point of voting for Gary Johnson is not an expectation the Gary Johnson will win. I don't think he has much of a chance (though I would cheer if he did). The point is to deny one's vote to the two major party candidates and let them know WHY you are denying them your vote (which is something not voting does not do). Another advantage of voting for Gary Johnson over not voting is this enables you to vote on ballot initiatives. If you vote for Gary Johnson it is pretty clear WHY you are doing so. If you simply don't vote at all there are a myriad of reasons you might be taking this [in]action.
      1. sarcasmic 13 years ago
        
        Another point is to get the numbers up for the Libertarian Party so that maybe they can get into the debates someday.
        
        Question of Auban 13 years ago
        
        True - but ever since Perot I think the two major parties will make any excuse they possibly can to avoid debating a non-major party candidate.
        
        sarcasmic 13 years ago
        
        At least they'd be exposed for changing the rules in the middle of the game, which could get even more support for third parties.
        
        tarran 13 years ago
        
        Yes, and filing a report with Internal Affairs that a cop put a gun to the back of your head when it's your word against his might get him fired! 😉
        
        And tomorrow, when I come home, there might be a pony grazing in my back yard!
    3. NoVAHockey 13 years ago
      
      there was a Johnson sign on an overpass on I-66 in Arlington, VA this morning.
      
      also a hand-made "obama lied, our people died" banner, which seriously slowed down traffic.
    4. nipplemancer 13 years ago
      
      In my little corner of NW NJ I've noticed at least a dozen GayJay lawn signs and one each for Obama and Romney. It makes me happy even though the state is gonna go full retard anyway.
  2. sarcasmic 13 years ago
    
    I saw a Romney sticker on a Prius the other day.
    1. hamilton 13 years ago
      
      I presumed they were equipped to explode in those circumstances.
    2. Almanian's Evil Twin 13 years ago
      
      Is that kind of the opposite of seeing a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac?
      1. hamilton 13 years ago
        
        Don't look back. You can never look back.
        
        [washes brain out with battery acid].
        
        Brandybuck 13 years ago
        
        During the heyday of the dot.com boom in Silicon Valley, it was very common to see Deadhead stickers on Mazeratis, Ferraris, etc. I even recall some acid bears on a Lamborghini.
      2. Brett L 13 years ago
        
        There's one of those who works at the FLDOH central office. No clue who it was, but every time I walked past it that goddam song would get stuck in my head.
    3. Eduard van Haalen 13 years ago
      
      and a little voice inside your head said, don't look back, you can never look back...
      1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
        
        Holy crap - that must be a new record. Three and 1/2 hours late!
2. Andrew S. 13 years ago
  
  Same here, in South Florida (Broward County). Barely seen any Obama signs, as compared to 2008. Even driving through downtown Fort Lauderdale to get to work, I see as many Romney signs as I do Obama signs.
  
  Not that signs mean anything, of course. I've just found it interesting.
Almanian 1 13 years ago

How come the Road to Hell? is a dirt road? Cause I was always told it was "paved with Good Intentions?".

*look of realization*

I'VE BEEN TRICKED!!!
1. LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
  
  THEM LIBERRTARIANZ WON'T PAY FER ROAD PAVINGGGG!!!!!
Caleb Turberville 13 years ago

I find post-presidential election Turkey Days to be the most satisfying. Get to put this obnoxious cultural phenomenon behind us and enjoy some semblance of sanity, if only for a day.
JW 13 years ago

Unfortunately, my FB feed is populated mostly by Obamabots. No matter the result tomnorrow, it's going to be intolerable.
1. Almanian's Evil Twin 13 years ago
  
  Ditto. I've just avoided posting any troll bait, or looking at "Home" till after the election.
2. Rights-Minimalist Autocrat 13 years ago
  
  I cancelled my account 6-8 months ago. I was already tired of it then. I'd be full-on Travis Bickle by now if I hadn't.
Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago

I got a call from a young man at the Obama campaign yesterday. He addressed me by my first name. That shows the level of unprofessionalism and condescension they're operating under.

Then when he asked if they could "count on my support" on Tuesday, I very cheerfully said "Absolutely not!". I said it so cheerfully, in fact, the young man was silent for a good 10 seconds. I actually had to make sure he was still on the line.
1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
  
  Also, he sounded like he was calling form the food court of a shopping mall on black Friday.
  1. Almanian's Evil Twin 13 years ago
    
    "back Friday"
    
    RAAAAAAAAAAACIST!!!
    1. Almanian's Evil Twin 13 years ago
      
      ...aaaaaaaand Joe'z Law
      1. JW 13 years ago
        
        Well, you never *do* go back.
2. JW 13 years ago
  
  Sadly, I haven't any chance opportunities to slamdance neither a Obamabot nor a Romniac.
  
  It would have been fun, falsely leading them down the path of fealty, wasting their time, only to stab their withered little soul in the end.
  1. NoVAHockey 13 years ago
    
    my coonhound scared off an Obama canvasser two weeks ago. he made it about 4 steps up the driveway before she started baying.
3. Caleb Turberville 13 years ago
  
  It's all so weird. A stranger calls you to ask you to help another stranger keep his job. Weird.
4. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
  
  I have two, not one but TWO Gary Johnson signs in my yard. I have run for office in my area THREE times. I personally know half the candidates for state house and senate. I have been registered big L for over 15 years (damn). Typically this is the equivalent of Masters of Orion Temporal Field Shields and Netronium Armor...not this cycle.
  
  I have had two candidates stop by, three volunteers, and countless phone calls. My mailbox has been overflowing with political crap (the Reason mag was lost in there somewhere but that isn't crap).
  
  I blame my UNF wife.
  1. JW 13 years ago
    
    Universal Nutty Fucker?
    1. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
      
      Unaffiliated.
      
      I may be nutty but I ain't universal.
5. nicole 13 years ago
  
  He addressed me by my first name. That shows the level of unprofessionalism and condescension they're operating under.
  
  I have been questioning the Obama campaign's marketing tactics for months now. There are only two explanations I can really see that explain the campaign: either they have really, really shitty people, which doesn't really make sense since they must have money, or their marketers are so in the tank, really in the "bubble," that they are completely clueless about how outsiders see them. This is the kind of thing that points to the latter for me. You know some guy thought that would be great--it makes them casual, appeals to younger voters, blah blah blah. But you just think it makes them unprofessional. (As would I.)
  1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
    
    I'm assuming since they had my name and cell #, that they also had my demographic information. But I guess they're not smart enough to adjust their script based on someone's age, etc. If I hadn't been in the middle of sauteeing onions & garlic (and trying not to burn them), he would have gotten a "do I know you?"
  2. Iamtheeviltwin 13 years ago
    
    Because I like to keep in the loop on the campaigns, I signed up to get emails from the Obama campaign last election cycle on one of my email accounts I use when I know I am going to get spam.
    
    However, I had to actually block all incoming mail from the campaign a couple months ago because I was getting upwards of 10 "personal" messages a day from Michelle, Barack, and several of his other Cronies.
    
    I can't imagine how that helps their cause with actual supporters who use their primary emails to support the campaign.
6. LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
  
  "He addressed me by my first name."
  
  That was a bit Forward! of him.
  
  /ducks and runs out of room
  1. Sudden 13 years ago
    
    *slow claps*
Citizen Nothing 13 years ago

So do you favor or oppose(in limited circumstances) taxpayer-funded condoms? That's pretty much what Obama-Romney boils down to.
1. nicole 13 years ago
  
  I like the way Riggs put it best, on Twitter during the last debate: would you like a free NuvaRing with your murderdrones?
Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago

I will be so glad when this is over.

Democracy is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you've picked a side.
1. Rights-Minimalist Autocrat 13 years ago
  
  It's people! Democracy is people!
2. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
  
  I aim to misbehave...tomorrow.
Res Publica Americana 13 years ago

I'm planning to drink large amounts of alcohol, watch an entire list of awesome, 1980s-era action movies, and maybe to go out and get laid.

To hell with the scourge of democracy. That shit's for believers. I'm content with my bitches and my booze. Who's with me?
1. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
  
  be sure Red Dawn is in there. The original that is.
  1. Rasilio 13 years ago
    
    Wolverines!!!
  2. Brett L 13 years ago
    
    Am I the only one who thinks people should be beaten senseless for using the national anthem to promote a shitty remake?
    1. LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
      
      No, you are not - may I loan you a particularly heavy aluminum bat?
2. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
  
  It would make my year if I could arrange some tail on election night, while watching Commando and drinking a brandy Manhattan.
  
  'Scuse me while I send an email invite...
  1. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
    
    "H O T"
The Late P Brooks 13 years ago

I've been saying I plan to watch MSNBC tomorrow night, so I can watch Chris Matthews slit his wrists on live television.

I probably won't.
1. Res Publica Americana 13 years ago
  
  If Obama wind, he'll strip and hump his desk, or the teleprompter. Do you really want to risk the trauma?
2. Anonymous Coward 13 years ago
  
  David Letterman: Half of Romney supporters want to see Chris Matthews cry like a baby on Tuesday.
  1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
    
    Only half?
    1. Anonymous Coward 13 years ago
      
      The other 49% would like to pretend that Chris Matthews isn't a loathsome, Obama-fellating piece of shit.
  2. Skip 13 years ago
    
    I want to see him go full blown, race card pulling insane.
3. Sudden 13 years ago
  
  I've been saying I plan to watch MSNBC tomorrow night, so I can watch Chris Matthews slit his wrists on live television.
  
  My original plan as well. However, I've decided that I will go to my local cigar lounge to enjoy a beer and cigar in the company of a largely conservative crowd as the results come. I will have MSNBC on my DVR at home to ensure that, if the election does get called that night, I will be able to fast forward to the Maddow and Matthews collapses. I will sustain myself on the yummy tears.
  1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
    
    Dammit, that also sounds like a good plan.
    
    If my sex-and-Commando plan doesn't work out, I'm-a have to try and find a cigar bar.
    
    Any NoVA-ites know of any in or near Alexandria?
  2. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
    
    In colorado the LP election night party is IN a cigar lounge downtown. I will be smoking a Padron 4000 and drinking several sing malts in nice leather chairs while Rome burns. I can't wait.
    1. The Hammer 13 years ago
      
      It is? Which one?
      1. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
        
        The Celtic/Delany's on 18th and Blake.
        
        And Red Square is...interesting, especially if you married a Russian.
        
        The Hammer 13 years ago
        
        Nice. I'll...try to be there.
    2. Sudden 13 years ago
      
      Is it the one near Red Square? Have a carafe of the dill vodka for me.
Clich? Bandit 13 years ago

OFFICIAL PREDICTION:

I am calling it for the Big O round two 53% to Romney 45%.

GJ with over 2.5 Million votes total (I actually have a bet for 3.5 but am going to lose that).

Colorado AMD 64 passes but barely.

The LP guy on the west slope wins his race (HD 54) then Mayan apocalypse happens.

SO SAY WE ALL!!!
1. Rasilio 13 years ago
  
  My official prediction...
  
  We won't know who won the race on Wednesday.
  
  We will however know with absolute certainty that our children lost it.
  1. Brett L 13 years ago
    
    They're already starting in FL. 'OMG - people waited x (2,4,7) hours to early vote! People are being disenfranchised!' Uh, what? Go to your local poll on Tuesday, idiots. Your votes don't count any different by going early.
    1. Anonymous Coward 13 years ago
      
      Andrew Cohen has your daily dose of full retard:
      
      No matter who wins the presidential race, no matter which party controls Congress, can we at least agree as reasonable adults that when it comes to voting itself the election of 2012 is a national disgrace? We ask our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives, to give their lives abroad for noble concepts like "freedom" and "democracy." And yet we are content as a nation, and as a people, to tolerate another cycle of election rules that require our fellow citizens to sacrifice a measure of basic human dignity simply to exercise their right to vote.
      
      For example, what happened this weekend in Florida is simply unacceptable. According to a local election official interviewed by CBS News' Phil Hirschkorn, the last "early voter" in line for Saturday's truncated early voting in Palm Beach County finally got to cast a ballot at 2:30 a.m Sunday morning, which means that voter waited in line for more than seven hours. In Miami, another traditional Democratic stronghold, the wait was said to be nearly as long. On Sunday, voters all over the state were begging judges and county officials for more time to vote.
      
      Waiting in line is a violation of your basic human dignity. What we need are voting apps, and year-round voting.
      1. nicole 13 years ago
        
        Talk about a fucking ratchet effect. How long has early voting even been around? And now it's not long enough, and there aren't enough locations, and blah blah blah.
        
        Iamtheeviltwin 13 years ago
        
        One of my extended family members is a League of Women Voters activist, so I get to hear all about voting access and such. Earlier this year they were linking to a study talking about the millions of people who would be disenfranchised by the horrible new voting laws...but to get that number over several hundred thousand nationwide, they counted all the people who used early voting in the last election and just assumed those people would either no longer vote or not vote early in the more limited time frame. It was an amazing piece of statistical fraud.
        
        My search-fu is off today I was looking for the study, but couldn't find it. However, if you look at almost all of the studies about vote suppression early voting is what they use to push those numbers up.
    2. SugarFree 13 years ago
      
      They're already starting in FL. 'OMG - people waited x (2,4,7) hours to early vote! People are being disenfranchised!'
      
      shriek was running this line of bullshit this morning. Gotta make sure to get all the excuses lined up for when Dear Leader is dispossessed of His Earthly Throne.
The Late P Brooks 13 years ago

We won't know who won the race on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, I believe this is 100% correct.

I suspect it may take weeks. Weeks of partisan hysteria even more intense than we have seen thus far.
1. Joe M 13 years ago
  
  Ugh. I'll have to go live in a cave for a month or two.
2. Sudden 13 years ago
  
  Riots, don't forget the riots.
  
  I humbly submit my opinion that any result that does not include a smiling Obama giving a lofty speech on Tuesday night will be met with riots and significant racial/civil unrest.
R C Dean 13 years ago

My call:

Romney 50%.

Obama 47%.

Third parties, 3%.

Not (quite) close enough to have to go to recounts anywhere, but it will be very late Tuesday before the DemOp media gives up and calls it for Mittens McMonocle.
1. Joe M 13 years ago
  
  You're right about that last part. They've learned a neat trick after 2000: they can deny the legitimacy of ever GOP president-elect from now on by refusing to call close states in their favor. Look at what happened in 2004. I can't recall the exact details, but I think most stations refused to call Ohio in favor of Bush, so he didn't go over 270 EVs. One network did call Ohio, but then in order to still avoid calling it for Bush, refused to call New Mexico in his favor.
2. Clich? Bandit 13 years ago
  
  What is your call on GJ vote total?
  
  information: 5% of 2008 election participation was 6.5 million.
  1. R C Dean 13 years ago
    
    What is your call on GJ vote total?
    
    More than Barr, but not enough to win.
    1. Brett L 13 years ago
      
      Jeez. Are you really Nate Silver? Somewhere between 1.5% and 32%, eh?
  2. Iamtheeviltwin 13 years ago
    
    I am thinking in the 2.5-3 million vote range...so what 2.5% or so...My dream is a Perot-like 10%-15%, but with all of the "most impotent elexshun evah!!!!" rhetoric scaring all the liberty leaning repubs...I don't see it.

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