National Security & Defense

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)

3. I think a majority of Americans who vote could be convinced to let the government go to war

Tue Dec 30, 2014, 10:58 PM

Dec 2014

against anyone.

Midterms and special elections are notorious for low turn out, and most often the biggest turnout in these elections are conservatives, because historically they are more disciplined about voting than liberals.

Then there is the problem that in a real emergency, how long would it take to hold a nationwide election on a single issue. Elections are not called on short notice.

Even if we were not talking about changing the Constitution in a massive way, I don't think it would work to stop a war because voting patterns jsut bring in the usual conserative suspects to vote.

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Should Americans get to 'Vote' on War? [View all] elaristotle Dec 2014 OP

Afghanistan would have been voted for by the American population yeoman6987 Dec 2014 #1

I'm not at all confident of that either Victor_c3 Dec 2014 #7

Not a popular vote but KT2000 Dec 2014 #2

I think a majority of Americans who vote could be convinced to let the government go to war Agnosticsherbet Dec 2014 #3

Even Congress doesn't vote on 'declarations of war' anymore and they are suppose to. n/t PoliticAverse Dec 2014 #4

If our government wants to start winning wars, it had better get public consent first. bemildred Dec 2014 #5

If you look at bush's approval rating at the start of both wars you'll see that he did have consent Victor_c3 Dec 2014 #8

Yes they absolutely should Jappleseed Dec 2014 #6