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TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

16. I agree. Elections have bee dumbed down to...

Wed Dec 31, 2014, 02:38 PM

Dec 2014

"He sucks and is a crook."

"No. He sucks more and is a bigger crook."

Bring up actual issues and you might say something a voter disagrees with. Besides, issues can be complicated and how do you explain your position on Obamacare in a 15 second TV spot? Global warming? A real jobs plan?

Around here, Tim Bishop tried to tell us how he saved Plum Island from developers, helped rebuild the beaches after Sandy, and a bunch of other things, but his opponent ran twice as many ads just calling him a crook and poking at the wound of hating government in general without saying anything specific. And there were a few dirty tricks involved. Bishop lost after six terms.

While knocking on Democratic doors, I got a lot of positive response but was disappointed with a fair number of people who just refused to vote. Turnout ended up pretty high, but could have been higher and we might have won with a few more votes. Or maybe not. It was Republican rout at all levels last November.

Anyway, I really feel for those places where voters are discouraged. The old-timers who came up with poll taxes, tore up the "wrong" paper ballots, and other ways of stealing the vote taught their charges well. It not as easy now, but you can still steal an election.

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So it's my imagination that people are PAID to disrupt us and convince us NOT to vote? [View all] randys1 Dec 2014 OP

Yes. n/t leeroysphitz Dec 2014 #1

Here in Oregon turnout was about 70%. Roughly twice the national average.... Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #2

Doesn't Oregon have some kind of really practical and elaborate mail in voting system? eom Blanks Dec 2014 #15

Yes. And so do at least fredamae Dec 2014 #27

Practical and simple. Everyone votes by mail. Or you can use a drop box. Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #31

Being a "Native Oregonian" fredamae Jan 2015 #49

Internet trolls keep voters home? LittleBlue Dec 2014 #3

I think there are people who are paid to disrupt and discourage people from voting notadmblnd Dec 2014 #4

Yep, no wonder the approval rating of congress is so low dissentient Dec 2014 #6

There are, to be sure. Igel Dec 2014 #5

No, randys1, it is not in your imagination. There are people who cheat and lie for money to win. Dont call me Shirley Dec 2014 #7

I see it a different way. Savannahmann Dec 2014 #8

I agree. Elections have bee dumbed down to... TreasonousBastard Dec 2014 #16

I don't know if they were paid but I had heard Rove had a bunch going and I Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #9

You are not going to get much support for those upaloopa Dec 2014 #10

Then they do not have a complaint. Thinkingabout Dec 2014 #11

Agreed. Bobbie Jo Dec 2014 #36

Nope no imagination... Historic NY Dec 2014 #12

One of the reasons politics is so negative is to disgust and turn off voters. It's effective. Scuba Dec 2014 #13

Negative ads work. former9thward Dec 2014 #20

Oh they work all right. In multiple ways. Scuba Dec 2014 #24

It's definitely not your imagination. Tarheel_Dem Dec 2014 #14

In the long run it's probably better for democrats... Blanks Dec 2014 #17

Hope you are right and it is all the more reason why you will see an extreme effort randys1 Dec 2014 #18

I will vote for Hillary if she's on the ballot... Blanks Dec 2014 #21

Maybe a "None of the Above" option and vote by mail would put them out of business. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2014 #19

Yes, please vive la commune Dec 2014 #38

Anybody that bases their decisions on anonymous internet postings is a weak-willed dimwit. Throd Dec 2014 #22

Many many many minions base votes on much less, all the time randys1 Dec 2014 #25

Yes mmonk Dec 2014 #23

Nope not your imagination. mstinamotorcity2 Dec 2014 #26

Nope. It's true. With the money that side has to throw around, I bet there's a paid troll calimary Dec 2014 #28

While I believe people are paid to do just that SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #29

Of course it works, the question is to what extent, otherwise they wouldnt do it randys1 Dec 2014 #30

Are you saying you might decide not to vote because a troll told you not to? SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #32

You BetterBelieveIt is not your imagination. great white snark Dec 2014 #33

Start with the thread posted asking of it's worth democrats winning at all Renew Deal Dec 2014 #34

Who is "us" in the sentence "PAID to disrupt us"? Are you speaking of DU? rhett o rick Dec 2014 #35

IDK who didnt vote from DU, neither do you unless you did a poll, I assume. randys1 Dec 2014 #40

You wrote "are PAID to disrupt us ". Are people paid to disrupt who? nm rhett o rick Dec 2014 #41

Can I presume we are all Democrats? If so, it is probably safe to say boston bean Jan 2015 #48

Blame voters AgingAmerican Dec 2014 #37

It may not be your imagination... ElboRuum Dec 2014 #39

No. Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #42

Yes. Wall St is what disrupts our democracy. Not YouTube comments. raouldukelives Dec 2014 #43

I can't say for sure Jamaal510 Jan 2015 #44

I get the feeling there are people deliberately trying to convince the public that "the left" is Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #45

Citizens United freed up an awful lot of money .. MinM Jan 2015 #46

here you go. wyldwolf Jan 2015 #47