Comments on: Did you vote today?

By: Codrut Turcanu / Blogging for Money

Codrut Turcanu / Blogging for Money — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:10:32 +0000

No, I didn't vote. I'm from Romania, and in Romania (Bucharest)…

I wonder why all bloggers ask that question… regardless they're in US, or not!

Is that a big, big, big event?

Go Obama… lol

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:41:39 +0000

I voted an hour before the polls closed; no lines, no waiting. A stupendous 85% of registered voters turned out. But I live in a winner-take-all state, where Obama was assured of victory, along with John Kerry, Barney Frank and any other incumbent who isn't under indictment. Only a few questions were left to choice. So, in an almost meaningless election, why is there record turnout, but when important local races like mayor and alderman the turnout is about 20%?

The Obama campaign, and others before it are tapping into some primal instinct that drives us more than our own self-interest. I will leave it to Penelope and all of you to tell me how that works.

By: Techbuzzworld

Techbuzzworld — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:57:35 +0000

I am encouraged by Obama's bipartisan approach. I'd like to see Republicans keep charge of the defense and state departments, while the Democrats fix the economy.

By: Steve C.

Steve C. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 06:24:54 +0000

@ no matter who and mr.money.

So you're saying that you can contribute to a solution by ignoring the problem??? I don't get that, I think it's a cop-out. By turning out in such huge numbers, the voters made it pretty clear that they were demanding a change in business as usual, even if they have no idea how to do it. What would the message have been if they hadn't turned out?
The person who is elected to lead in this country is more important than you think. It speaks to who is paying attention to what is happening in this country and in the world, to who is awake and who is asleep. It proves that one person can make a difference, even if only by inspiring many others.
Steve C.

By: Nicola Rowe

Nicola Rowe — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:59:01 +0000

I voted. I live in New Zealand, and it's election day here. I'd rather Obama won in the US and we got the "wrong" government here at home than have McCain win and my choice of government here, though. That's how important the US election is to the world.

By: Mr. Money

Mr. Money — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:37:31 +0000

Yup, I voted, and asked others if they voted too. Be careful not to press who they voted for though, as it can be a touchy subject.

And I agree with the poster above me, not voting does not mean you're apathetic. In reality, a leader does not have as big an effect on us, whether it's a boss, a president, or a coach, as we're led to believe. Leadership theory states that the common worker is much more important to the success of the organization than the leader.

By not voting you could be doing any number of things that have a more positive impact on our society.

By: No matter who you vote for...

No matter who you vote for... — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:39:10 +0000

Not voting != Apathy.

The choice not to vote can be as positive as the choice to vote, it doesn't automatically come from feelings of apathy.

Happy change you need week American peeps. I for one am relieved that Sarah Palin is now just a little further away from real power. The woman made my blotter look smart.

By: Joselle

Joselle — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:30:44 +0000

For everyone who was baffled by ballot questions–and who isn't since they are written so unclearly–I found my state's League of Women Voters (LOWV)website very helpful. They post the original ballot question, the interpretive statement, their own summary and a list of pros and cons for each ballot initiative. The LOWV is nonpartisan.

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:39:12 +0000

@Phil. Obama is not a socialist. That was a ridiculous, desperate last-minute attempt to discredit him. Even reading a brief dictionary entry for socialism makes it clear that he isn't a socialist as he doesn't advocate government ownership of industries.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism

By: sophie

sophie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:43:58 +0000

I love that Penelope is so internationally read and we Americans can see the viewpoint beyond our shores. We notoriously live through our U.S-tunnel-vision, barely aware of what's going on in other parts of the world.

I'm amazed at how much people elsewhere know of the U.S. I also appreciate that people elsewhere share their thoughts and help educate us of life beyond our safe, little confines.