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Nihil

(13,508 posts)
106. Or, to re-phrase slightly, ...
Wed Apr 30, 2014, 09:00 AM
Apr 2014

> Young voters tend to support ideals, and not parties or people.
> A focus on party politics tends to come with age and experience.
> If there are no politicians running who are promoting their ideals, they're not going to vote.

A focus on party politics tends to come as a defence mechanism in response
to repeated failures of trust.

When the ideals that you had are betrayed, time after time, by people who
claimed that they supported the same thing, you can defend your pointless
support of "the less bad option" by falling back to blind party politics.

That's the kind where you can defend "your guy" doing the same thing as you
were shouting down "the other guy" for doing just a few years earlier.

The kind where you don't have to admit that your faith in "your guy" has been
betrayed by their actions after the election because you can always pull out
some excuse or other for "why it didn't work out quite right".

The kind where you can ignore the insanity of doing the same thing as before
yet hoping for a different outcome this time.

The kind where you can gloss over the real differences, the real problems,
the real issues in society and the world at large by concentrating myopically
on an artificial distinction between two sub-groups of the majority in order
to preserve the profits & well-being of the rich, powerful, self-selecting minority.

The most active supporters of any extremist political party tends to be
the young & inexperienced as they have not gained the wisdom to see through
the lies, the inconsistencies and the hypocrisy of the leadership.

"Age and experience" can provide that wisdom but it can also provide the
incentive to ignore the wisdom so gained and fall back to the same mindless
partisan cheerleading that can so mislead the young & inexperienced.

They are going to learn the hard way. And I will not be feeling sorry for them. jwirr Apr 2014 #1
What are they going to learn? (no message) laurent Apr 2014 #14
That this midterm election is different. If we do not show up for this one we will lose what little jwirr Apr 2014 #18
It's always "But this one is different" isn't it? Nihil Apr 2014 #100
I have voted since JFK and it is not the actual primary that is different. It is the situation we jwirr Apr 2014 #109
"It is voters vs money." Nihil Apr 2014 #113
Yes, I hear it from mine also. And I just remember what an idealist I was in the 60s. Maybe we all jwirr Apr 2014 #115
Doesn't surprise me yeoman6987 Apr 2014 #21
I understand that but as you see in my other post I think this year is vitally different. I am going jwirr Apr 2014 #23
Learn the hard way that both parties are way to the right of the national center? Ash_F Apr 2014 #41
So they are going to let the SCOTUS go totally to the right for the next 40 years? They are going to jwirr Apr 2014 #45
Democrats have to court the voters, not the other way around Ash_F Apr 2014 #48
What I see #43 saying is that the gop propose plans for the future. What plans? Perpetual war? jwirr Apr 2014 #50
And all I see in your post is excuses. Ash_F Apr 2014 #51
LOL I have lived in poverty my entire adult life due to taking care of my disabled daughter. What am jwirr Apr 2014 #54
Democrats. /nt Ash_F Apr 2014 #56
Give me another party that is way left and I will vote for it. Until then the Democrats are what I jwirr Apr 2014 #58
That was not my point Ash_F Apr 2014 #62
On that I agree totally. I am from MN and both of my senators are progressives and the man we jwirr Apr 2014 #67
They feel like they don't have power and when they vote they are capitulating to people who do. Ash_F Apr 2014 #68
Got it. jwirr Apr 2014 #70
*That* is it. The beginning, the middle and the end. Nihil Apr 2014 #99
Agree with both of you but this midterm is a choice between UNTHINKABLE vs almost reasonable randys1 Apr 2014 #77
Maybe it is time for some "fresh blood" Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2014 #101
putting it terms of left/right divide is too kind: both parties are too CORRUPT yurbud Apr 2014 #60
I personally have come to associate right wing-ism with corruption. Ash_F Apr 2014 #63
in one sense, you are right. Right wingers take bribes as a matter of principle. Unfortunately... yurbud Apr 2014 #74
Thanks for the TeaLeftism. Yawn. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #84
Neither will I.. Vietnameravet Apr 2014 #103
Votes do count, voting is important, TP votes and we don't like TP ideas. Thinkingabout Apr 2014 #2
Many here will insist this is a rightwing poll that can be ignored, and we're on the cusp of a great villager Apr 2014 #3
They haven't figured out yet how their slacking off in midterms effects the stuff they claim to care Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #4
Exactly treestar Apr 2014 #22
I'm proud of my nieces & nephews. They've taken the responsibility seriously. I hope it continues Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #30
Maybe POTUS can do a few campaign speeches treestar Apr 2014 #111
Let's hope they have a midterm strategy. I know that Urban radio can be counted on to GOTV. Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #117
+100 theHandpuppet Apr 2014 #53
One day they'll wake up and ask WTF happened? When you've got idiots like these..... Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #57
Don't forget the younger Paul as well Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2014 #102
I predict EPIC failure. Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #116
The gov. is what people make it, so not voting just allows anything to happen and one RKP5637 Apr 2014 #5
Just a thought, but isn't nonvoting a strong indication of an opinion just as strong as a vote? GOPee Apr 2014 #24
I think that's quite true, they pick up on what they hear. I also think a lot of people RKP5637 Apr 2014 #44
I'm a "younger voter" and WILL send in my ballot this November. alp227 Apr 2014 #6
Don't forget primaries, if there's one No Vested Interest Apr 2014 #33
aah yes my city holds an election this June i think for mayor's primary nt alp227 Apr 2014 #35
Thank you and I know I was ranting and lumping a whole group into one for that I ask forgiveness. jwirr Apr 2014 #47
Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #7
"there's no point in voting for either party" geek tragedy Apr 2014 #11
What funny treestar Apr 2014 #25
Maybe when us old folks were young in the sixties upaloopa Apr 2014 #15
And guess which group of people the victors will think they can ignore? shawn703 Apr 2014 #8
The ones with the least money, and those who don't pay up. n/t jtuck004 Apr 2014 #9
No, they ignore the idiots who think that voting doesn't matter geek tragedy Apr 2014 #12
Just like every other mid-term in history. geek tragedy Apr 2014 #10
I firmly believe that mandating a "None of the above" on ballots... HooptieWagon Apr 2014 #13
We need compulary voting (Australia) with the option of "none of the above". Dawson Leery Apr 2014 #16
I agree with that. Blue_In_AK Apr 2014 #26
Cool! A fresh class of prisoners to feed the private prison industry! FrodosPet Apr 2014 #55
Pay people to vote. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #105
No kidding. nt onehandle Apr 2014 #17
They must enjoy having distrust cynicism liberal N proud Apr 2014 #19
If only we had the Aussie system: above 90% turnout always... FailureToCommunicate Apr 2014 #20
You realize that in a compulsory system, Republicans would have to vote too... brooklynite Apr 2014 #31
But Democrats outnumber Republicans in registration nationwide. ancianita Apr 2014 #83
...many of which are disaffected Republicans brooklynite Apr 2014 #88
The constitution would have to be changed for mandatory voting SpankMe Apr 2014 #40
Compulsory voting laws would also violate GOPers right to free speech (lies and vote suppression) groundloop Apr 2014 #46
And the election is on Saturday treestar Apr 2014 #112
That's the advantage of being young Turbineguy Apr 2014 #27
Maybe if Democrats proposed some policies that appealed to younger voters .... Scuba Apr 2014 #28
Exactly. Ash_F Apr 2014 #42
Gee, let's see how much has been done or is trying to be done for younger people: RBInMaine Apr 2014 #85
You must like losing more than I. Scuba Apr 2014 #87
Nice ideas Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2014 #104
So let's propose those policies and take the House and keep the Senate. Duh. Scuba Apr 2014 #108
Pardon me for being blunt... WilliamPitt Apr 2014 #29
Oh yeah, RandoLoodie Apr 2014 #34
If enlightened self-interest isn't motivational... WilliamPitt Apr 2014 #39
Well talking about eating dog shit because you don't vote RandoLoodie Apr 2014 #69
tells us more about that onion on your belt AngryAmish Apr 2014 #114
This, of course, is the fault of the "extreme left." 1000words Apr 2014 #32
Yep. progressoid Apr 2014 #37
They might as well vote repuke KamaAina Apr 2014 #36
They Want To Punish Obama otohara Apr 2014 #38
Perhaps, just perhaps Android3.14 Apr 2014 #43
Sorry proposing those would make the big mean Republicans yell at us on the TV. Ash_F Apr 2014 #49
The article is one sided. The young Dems will win..... Pauldg47 Apr 2014 #92
Then my age group doesn't get to complain about who represents them. Arkana Apr 2014 #52
That's exactly right. IMO if you don't vote you have no right to complain!! groundloop Apr 2014 #59
Young voters tend to support ideals, and not parties or people. Xithras Apr 2014 #61
Pretty much what my grandson said. 840high Apr 2014 #79
Or, to re-phrase slightly, ... Nihil Apr 2014 #106
It is incumbent on the candidates to get off their ass and have a good campaign. LiberalFighter Apr 2014 #64
When they can't get contraception or access abortion services or vote the next time they try, Vinca Apr 2014 #65
Democrats: "We'll finally stand in when Republicans really cross the line" Ash_F Apr 2014 #66
Easy to break that cycle in the short term.... NorthCarolina Apr 2014 #71
It's probably too late for this, but what needs to be done is have legalized MJ be on the ballots herding cats Apr 2014 #73
Gridlock in congress makes people feel that government is meaningless. DCBob Apr 2014 #72
*sigh* sakabatou Apr 2014 #75
we get the government we deserve, so don't vote if you don't care about your future. olddad56 Apr 2014 #76
Voters live in a democracy november3rd Apr 2014 #118
Let's be honest it's not only the 18-29 year olds. People are comfortable ''enough" > YOHABLO Apr 2014 #78
WHY DO ABOUT 98% OF POLLING SEEMS TO FAVOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY? dawn frenzy adams Apr 2014 #80
Point 1: You don't have to yell... brooklynite Apr 2014 #89
I'm sure "Third Way" is dancin' in the streets about it! blkmusclmachine Apr 2014 #81
That is beyond idiotic... brooklynite Apr 2014 #90
Then we have to fire them up. Ken Burch Apr 2014 #82
Asking kids what they are planning on doing in November should get a really reliable response. 6000eliot Apr 2014 #86
welcome news. quadrature Apr 2014 #91
They get to be under mommies control until 26 otherone Apr 2014 #95
That is true. quadrature Apr 2014 #96
enjoy your day my friend otherone Apr 2014 #97
This message was self-deleted by its author Acornsouth Apr 2014 #93
End prohibition and the young will vote otherone Apr 2014 #94
Fine. Like usual, we'll do it without the complacent youngsters with their noses stuck in their truthisfreedom Apr 2014 #98
And we're surprised at this because…? tularetom Apr 2014 #107
Most Democratic politicians continue to oppose legalization.. Upton Apr 2014 #110
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