U.S. Presidential Poll!

[heartsurgerysurviver]

OK, Iâ??ll play the devilâ??s advocate.
Voting has nothing to do with how this country is run.
There, I said it. Now Iâ??ll back it up.
Throughout my life Iâ??ve seen 12 presidential elections and voted in 7 of them.
This election will be my first not voting [but not my last].
The political landscape over my lifetime has been a constant state of more government, control, and power. People who only concern themselves with self-perpetuation run this country. Laws are passed not for the good of the people, but for regulating such.
Land of the free? Only if you can afford it. You canâ??t fish, hunt, drive, work, sell or buy anything without a fee, permit or license. We are regulated [laws] to death. I know we need laws to protect people from crimes, but what crime is committed by the right of itâ??s people to hunt, fish and earn a living? None
Each president over the last 45 years sold his soul to big business and the media to achieve their election into office. They care little, if at all, about the average person and our daily struggles with basic human needs, [food, shelter, jobs and health care {more on this later}]. They lie, cheat and steal, with no remorse, free from worries. Both political parties are firmly entrenched in continuing to guide the people like sheep.
Change is impossible when the elected only protect the corporations that own them [oil and Halliburton sp? come to mind. So, why vote? The dem and rep are basically the same evil and no 3rd party candidates will ever get elected with out the mediaâ??s support or big business behind them.
Just as prohibition brought the Kennedyâ??s money then power, marijuana someday may bring a family into power that will be the freedom this country so desperately needs for its people.
So, my vote this year is for None of the Above
Peace
Heart

[Sinsemilla Jones]

Voting has nothing to do with how this country is run.....

.....So, why vote? The dem and rep are basically the same evil and no 3rd party candidates will ever get elected with out the mediaâ??s support or big business behind them.
Just as prohibition brought the Kennedyâ??s money then power, marijuana someday may bring a family into power that will be the freedom this country so desperately needs for its people.
So, my vote this year is for None of the Above
Peace
Heart

I hear ya heart!

The writer, Gore Vidal (Lincoln, Burr, Creation and many others) says he's in the majority party. The party that chooses not to vote. He says that when enough folks don't vote, the system will be so obviously fucked up that change will have to happen.

But the reverse seems to be true. As the number of non-voters has increased, so has the size and power of the government. If over half of the people already don't vote, will things really change when the number of voters drops to only 20, 10, or just 5 percent?

If there were no other candidates even on the ballot other than the 2 establishment parties, I'd go along with you and Vidal. The last time I voted for the establishment for President was in the 1980s. I've NEVER voted a candidate who actually became President.

But as long as there is someone on the ballot who I believe might actually change things, or I'm allowed to at least write in a candidate I believe in, I will probably continue to vote.

It probably is a futile gesture. Even if by some miracle a Lib, Green, Reform, or independent candidate won, they'd probably shoot the poor sob before he even took office.

It is discouraging, though, that even with several very pro mj candidates to vote for, the media is still able to scare even most hard core potheads to vote for the establishment.

But what might be even more discouraging is that over half of the potential voters, who by their non-participation demonstrate that they aren't afraid of either of the 2 evils, won't bother to vote the evils out.

I doubt there will ever be enough money in the illicit marijuana movement to change things, but even if someone did become that rich off pot, why would they want to give up their source of wealth?

[Ed Ward MD]

As the days go by, I believe the Libertarian Candidate will make more inroads into Viability. Candidate Badnarik will be offering a choice for voters between your perceptions of current parties and a real Party of The People. The only thing missing is Viability as a 3rd party candidate. I believe that is coming.
Thank you for your informative post.

Ed Ward, MD

[heartsurgerysurviver]

Health care is a major issue with me, as if my name didnâ??t give that one away. LOL
It is a crime that any American doesnâ??t not receive medical care, treatments and medicine. There are more than enough facilities, personnel, and medicine for everyone.
Drug companies all show record profits, pills are cheap to make, whatâ??s the harm in giving out free meds to people that canâ??t afford it?
Drs and support staff could treat all uninsured for free. Hospitals run at 40- 60% of capacity, so, whereâ??s the harm in adding a few more patients. Drâ??s do make pretty good money, do they really need more? Or is helping out society for free a bad idea? Give up the golf day, LOL. Is another way.
I was lucky, my bills for a 4-month period were over $485,000.00, and thank god my ex had good insurance. But now I have none, my only plus is I donâ??t own anything, so what can they take LOL. But, do I see the best Drs, not too sure on that one LOL
Peace
Heart
A 3rd party cand. May have a chance one day, I just hope itâ??s in my lifetime.

[Ed Ward MD]

Is 40 days in your lifetime? It can happen. But, will it? Working on an article, want to take a look and let me know what you think? added it to my post on activism link.

No money for health care, but, billions to invade other nations. No money for mass transit, but, billions to destroy plants. No money for Schools, but, billions to lock up victimless crime criminals. etc, et al.
My Best to You and Yours,

Ed Ward, MD