Third party supporters - how many friends do you have?

[LoZoccolo]

Poll question: Third party supporters - how many friends do you have?

I think we probably all know someone who would be affected by four more years of Bush* - whether it's someone around 18-25 who may get drafted, a gay or lesbian friend who will be ineligible for a same-sex union if they are banned with a constitutional amendment, someone who lives near an environmental hazard, or someone who's job has been offshored.

I started thinking then, that maybe the people who plan to vote for third-party candidates really don't know many people that would be affected. I'm curious to find out - how many friends do you have?

[Forkboy]

1. This thread would make a Freeper proud

[LoZoccolo]

3. I could see that.

Not often they get their own poll.

[JohnLocke]

13. LMAO

Forkboy deserved that.

[Forkboy]

20. I did?

Why is that FDR?

[lapauvre]

2. Not a very well set up poll.

You forgot some people who are going to be severely affected by another four years.

Single parents. The elderly. The disabled. The mentally ill. And those in republican controlled States such as South Carolina.

Ask better questions, and you will get a better poll. I, personally, refuse to qualify my elderly, disabled, mentally ill neighbors and friends as "hippies."

[Forkboy]

6. But how can they demonize people who dont think like them

without resorting to right wing tactics like that? Actual thinking seems to be beyond some,it's easier to paint those who dont kiss one's ass as "hippies" and dummies.

[Webster Green]

4. Got something against hippies or what?

What the hell is that option supposed to mean?

[LoZoccolo]

5. No.

I was one.

[Webster Green]

8. OK, then...I still am one...thats why I was asking....

Unrepentant hippie till the day I die.

[Radical Activist]

7. Funny you should mention those issues

Kerry says he will stay the course and will increase our troop committment in Iraq if the generals ask for more troops. Democrats would oppose a draft if it was proposed by Bush, but a draft proposed by Kerry might actually pass Congress.

Kerry isn't supporting a national gay marriage bill so electing Kerry won't make gay couples eligible for marriage.

Kerry still supports the WTO and NAFTA which are the top contributors to jobs being moved offshore, and help destroy the environment in nations around the world.

Yes, you can point out how Kerry will be a little better than Bush on all these issues, but only by degree. Kerry the moderate won't do anything dramatically better on any of the issues you mentioned. Do you still wonder why people vote third party?

[Leprechan29]

9. Re: Gay Marriage

With Kerry, an amendment (or just a bill) banning gay marriage would not likely get passed, so we would already be in a better boat than we are with Bush.

[Radical Activist]

10. And the difference is?

There's no chance of a gay marriage ban passing with anyone as President, including Bush. I'm glad Kerry is on the correct side of the issue, but either way its not getting anywhere.

[sangh0]

11. If it's not going to get anywhere

then why did you bring it up?

Never mind. I already know the answer. It's pretty obvious. Anybody but Kerry

[Radical Activist]

15. because it was brought up in the original post

I was raising all the same issues the original post raised. My point is not Anybody but Kerry. My point is that Kerry needs to move in a better direction, and to point out why some people aren't satisfied with just a little bit better than Bush.

I think its sad that you can't have discussion about Kerry without making that kind of acusation against anyone who doesn't think he's perfect like Jesus or something.

[LoZoccolo]

14. I think it's good you brought this issue up...

...because I think the political movement around gay and lesbian issues is an example of pretty successful activism - much more successful than what the Naderites are doing. Think about it, only about 6% of U.S. citizens would potentially register for a same-sex union, yet this issue has gotten the support of many times that - and subsequently many Democratic candidates - because the activists put out a clear message that the general public can understand. If the Naderites would get up and make their issues known rather than just playing games and feeling powerful about being able to piss off the Democratic candidates, maybe we'd see those issues get major despite a small number of people rallying behind them now.

Also, it is not only effective, I feel it is essential that they put out a message in a democracy. If they don't give a pretty bulletproof case to the general public, the right wing can make up any lies they want about their little-known solution to a problem most people don't see and it'll never get through - everyone'll be afraid of it, and no candidate that supports it will get elected.

[Radical Activist]

16. So what have they done differently?

Than the Greens. Its much easier to get socially liberal issues out in the corporate media than anti-corporate issues, which are what the Greens typically focus on. Given that strong disadvantage with the media for the Greens, how would you say the gay rights movement has managed to succeed in a way that the Greens or liberals can copy?

[LoZoccolo]

17. Sure they can.

Look at the environmental movement from the early nineties.

If you can't get people to understand your issues, you might as well forget about seeing them materialize anyways. One, this is a democracy. Two, the right-wing can steamroll anything that isn't well established in the public mind by just making up some lies about it - your issue will become a burden that will cause them to lose if there's a fair amount of disinformation spread about it, and you won't see anyone get elected on it and it will never happen. You have to work to participate in democracy if you want change. You can't just vote and expect things to be handed to you.

[Liberal Classic]

12. I have zero because

I am loser libertarian guy. :silly:

[JJ Hotdog]

18. ...

isn't kerry against same sex marriage too? j/w...

deany, i need you.

[Liberal Classic]

19. Will you be my friend?

You did reply to my post...

:P