I was talking with a gentleman friend of mine when the topic turned to what else- the election. He had the unmitigated gall to refuse to vote. Not merely choosing not to vote because he was in a body cast, or kidnapped, or anything that might excuse him from heading to the polls; he simply chose to stay home on Election Day. So, I'm not sure just how much I want to be sharing with a dude who doesn't vote. Would you consider not voting a deal breaker? Is this a minor issue, or would it indicate to you some things that you'd rather not in a partner?

Hi Sweet,
I can't understand people whom choose not to vote. It's our privilege to vote, Why would anyone not use that privilege is a mystery!

quote:

Originally posted by sweetsuds:
I was talking with a gentleman friend of mine when the topic turned to what else- the election. He had the unmitigated gall to refuse to vote. Not merely choosing not to vote because he was in a body cast, or kidnapped, or anything that might excuse him from heading to the polls; he simply chose to stay home on Election Day. So, I'm not sure just how much I want to be sharing with a dude who doesn't vote. Would you consider not voting a deal breaker? Is this a minor issue, or would it indicate to you some things that you'd rather not in a partner?

Hey, you aren't going thru a divorce are you, lol. I don't see why it would be a dealbreaker. Not everybody is enthralled with politics. There are far worse things that people choose to do, or choose not to do.

Well, when your husband is selling sex on the Internet, can't be persuaded to quit wearing your house dresses or to pray, tries to choke you while you're pregnant, and is planning to kidnap your unborn child and give him/her to his girlfriend in Morocco, it's time to move on. And as much as I wish I was kidding or exaggerating about any of the above, I'm not. So, I'm in a new place, looking for a new job, looking for new and better guys to be around, and working on baby knitting. Meanwhile, this gentleman friend of mine is showing other signs of not being more than friend material, so we'll wait and see. Either way, I'm not looking into rushing into anything else- but there's nothing wrong with developing a friendship.

And Bergy, I don't get it either. I've family who risked death to vote- I can't see why anyone would choose to disregard the sacrifice others made and continue to make on their behalf.

A couple of things:
-1- Anyone who doesn’t vote in reality votes with the majority. I know it sounds strange, but it is a statistical a fact.
-2- If you’re going to vote against my candidate, I would prefer you not to vote and I will happily listen to your complaints.

We have dear friends, they been married for 63 years, they are sweetest couple and they totally agree on everything except politics. She is a died-in-the-wool FRD democrat. He is a staunch Dewey Republican. They knew that when they got married in 1945. So they decided rather than to fight about it or just to cancel out each others vote they wouldn’t vote, and they haven’t.

They raised four kids – all are solid citizens. They have all served in the military and three of them have held elected office – two republicans and one democrat. The parents never lived in a district that would have allowed them to vote for any of their children. Their fourth child was a career diplomat who served under Ford, Cater and Reagan.

______________________________________________________________________
I’m asking “ALL” military.com members to carry this number with them. Be ready to give it to any vet you meet who may need someone to talk to. You could be a life saver.

Thank you, Bruce
______________________________________________________________________
But, at heart:

quote:

Originally posted by sweetsuds:
Well, when your husband is selling sex on the Internet, can't be persuaded to quit wearing your house dresses or to pray, chokes you while you're pregnant, and is planning to kidnap your unborn child and give him/her to his girlfriend in Morocco, it's time to move on. And as much as I wish I was kidding or exaggerating about any of the above, I'm not. So, I'm in a new place, looking for a new job, looking for new and better guys to be around, and working on baby knitting. Meanwhile, this gentleman friend of mine is showing other signs of not being more than friend material, so we'll wait and see. Either way, I'm not looking into rushing into anything else- but there's nothing wrong with developing a friendship.

Dang, sorry to hear about that Glad you're out of that. I didn't even know you were pg. How far along? Glad you're not rushing, probably the last thing you should get into right now.

For me, it's not just about the particular candidate- it's the act of voting itself that is precious to me. I know folk who voted differently than I did, and I would have not discouraged them from voting for anything. Perhaps I might have tried to sweet-talk them into voting the way I preferred, but the choice, the responsibility, and the privilege is as much theirs as mine.

And bought- I'm about 18 weeks along.

Sweet, I pray that things will work out for you and any possible, responsible man in your life.


I know it's gotta be tough for ya. One of my sisters has had....gosh, I can't remember, but I think she has had 5 husbands. All but two were neer-do-wells and both of them left her well off.

I pray ya get the right guy!

Hey Sweet...

I do feel it is important to vote. It does not have to be my vote but we are so lucky we are even able to have this freedom.

As you know first hand, when your freedom is taken from you then you appreciate having it even more, yes?

I am sorry you even had to know such an aweful experience but it looks like you are taking the right steps to a better place and life.

I say worry about yourself and the little one and take the time to enjoy courting and getting to know people and friendship first.

It is important to share values and want the basic fundumentals in life especially when you are raising a child.

But tell the person who did not vote they lost the right to complain.

hehehe

But do you do when all the candidates are sooooo bad that you can't vote for any of them? Vote for Ralph Nader out of protest? Write in a name that is meaningless? Or, just stay home and wish the best for the winners?

I voted, but I can understand some who don't choose to vote in a particular election. I don't understand those who never vote or even register.

I missed three elections and felt guilty about it. Something about all the sacrifice I know has been made to preserve that right. I won't miss anymore.

quote:

sweetsuds

we will keep you in our prayers.

When our daughter got married, I told our SILs that if they ever banded, abused or cheated on my daughters I would hunt the down and kill them. The girls have now been married 22 and 26 years to two of the greatest guys in the world. My wife told our DIL almost the same thing, not quite as blunt and my warning. Was lost our oldest DIL to an entirely to early and tragic death. That son is now married again to a precious lady. Our other son has now been married 14 years. BTW, I gave the same speech to our sons and my wife gave her speech to our daughter.

So far it has worked for us. But we dearly love kid-in-laws.

I plan to find out more about why this guy refused to vote. He got really quiet and suddenly remembered an appointment when I got on him about it- something tells me he hopped on the next thing smoking, as I tore into another guy who was just too lazy to bother.
As far as my family is concerned, if my ex doesn't plan to stay where he is, then he may as well volunteer for an Iraq tour- for that will be safer than trying to mess with me. Between my family and the Knitters' Mafia, I think I'm covered in terms of protection.

quote:

Originally posted by OldArmyWOPA:

quote:

sweetsuds

we will keep you in our prayers.

When our daughter got married, I told our SILs that if they ever banded, abused or cheated on my daughters I would hunt the down and kill them. The girls have now been married 22 and 26 years to two of the greatest guys in the world. My wife told our DIL almost the same thing, not quite as blunt and my warning. Was lost our oldest DIL to an entirely to early and tragic death. That son is now married again to a precious lady. Our other son has now been married 14 years. BTW, I gave the same speech to our sons and my wife gave her speech to our daughter.

So far it has worked for us. But we dearly love kid-in-laws.

I don't think my future Son-in-law will need a speech. Her 5 brothers and Daddy will be a WALKING speech

quote:

I don't think my future Son-in-law will need a speech. Her 5 brothers and Daddy will be a WALKING speech

It sounds like you got the base covered very well!

quote:

Originally posted by Golgoth:
I missed three elections and felt guilty about it. Something about all the sacrifice I know has been made to preserve that right. I won't miss anymore.

Not this last one but I have failed to vote in past elections. I got thinking that since I didn't vote, I didn't really have any right to complain about how things turned out.

This year, I voted, yet McCain still lost. So at least now I feel free to whine, whine, whine about Obama should I feel the reason to.

I'm watching and waiting Obama!

Don

sweetsuds

Good on you for walking away from that... mess. I am keeping you in my prayers.

To the topic...

Voting is a privilege that we served to protect. As an American, and especially as a veteran, I prefer that people express their desire of this country's direction through voting. However, given the current state of politics, I can hardly assign blame to anyone so fed up with our system that they refuse that right as a matter of protest.

Take my state, for example. If you're a Democrat in Arizona, you know your voice was silenced for this presidential election. It is, in its literal sense, a wasted vote; with wasted time, wasted gas, and wasted effort. It would have showed on the popular tally, of course, but as far as the Electoral College allocation, your party affiliation said nothing this election.

And then you add in the frivolity that is expecting real change in politics: campaign promises are still laden with unreachable ideals to invoke emotional response, the candidates still have no real clue what it is like to be an average, hard-working American with bills and fears, and there has been so much past damage that no one person could possibly shoulder the burden in a manner that we'll all find as "acceptable."

Perhaps this would be a bit different if the movement to change the Electoral College so that votes were cast by way of popularity (split) kicked off in more than two states.

The fact is that most people are just sick of politics. Each election cycle gets longer, the vitriol gets stronger, and the candidates don't really change.

Not voting is NOT a deal breaker for me, but only you know how important it is to you. I still don't know the political preference of my last dates. I know they have no problems with my guns and that they can discuss the issues with a reasoned sense of understanding as to what's at stake. That's good enough for me - no, "So who did you vote for, if anyone?" necessary.

It is possible that some are, as you put it, too lazy. But I think you'll find deeper-seated reasons were you to investigate.

My humble 02.

Damn Suds, sorry to hear about all of that.

As for the topic, it could be he did as I have in the past. Some times you just don't want to help put any of those running into office. This last election almost came to that for me. Neither front runner lit my fire, but I did decide to vote for what I felt was the lessor of two evils. He could be the same way and just does not want to talk about it.

I suppose that's also making me think about how to talk with a kid about voting when it's your own child. I'd hate to have to drag an 18 y.o. into the voting booth by the ear, so some prior guidance seems indicated.
Mr. Non-Voter has not been scratched off my list, but he's definitely ranking below another gentleman friend who views voting as nothing less than the precious responsibility it is. It helps that Mr. "Of course I voted" is better looking, too.

Frankly, I prefer people who are too lazy or stupid to research the issues and candidates NOT to vote. I hate to think about my (or your) seriously considered ballot being nullified by some nut who, thinking it's a duty and patriotic to vote, votes strictly on the bases of looks, gender, race, religion, age, promises, or money, etc.