Comments on: “A Declaration of Independence … http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:53:41 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Meredith http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-48019 Meredith Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:20:01 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-48019 John, From your description of your situation, I can understand why you feel and vote the way you do. Unfortunately, voting for "me" won't work out that well because your well-being is linked to mine, which is linked to some other person I don't know, etc. You should absolutely vote in the manner you think best because that is your right, and I'm not suggesting that you adopt issues you don't care about, but I would suggest that you add a few more issues to your checklist, which would at least relate to your concern for self-preservation. Also, it's sometimes helpful to stop worrying so much about what you need and what you don't have. When you trust in yourself, and you do what you need to do, you will have what you need. Consider that there are others who will never have what they need, no matter how hard they try. Take care of you, and take care of others. John,
From your description of your situation, I can understand why you feel and vote the way you do. Unfortunately, voting for “me” won’t work out that well because your well-being is linked to mine, which is linked to some other person I don’t know, etc. You should absolutely vote in the manner you think best because that is your right, and I’m not suggesting that you adopt issues you don’t care about, but I would suggest that you add a few more issues to your checklist, which would at least relate to your concern for self-preservation.

Also, it’s sometimes helpful to stop worrying so much about what you need and what you don’t have. When you trust in yourself, and you do what you need to do, you will have what you need. Consider that there are others who will never have what they need, no matter how hard they try. Take care of you, and take care of others.

]]> By: John Shelton http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-46997 John Shelton Tue, 04 Jul 2006 05:30:29 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-46997 I'm a college student in aerospace engineering. I'm also a 27-year-old with no money. I am going into my senior year of my undergraduate study, and it's been hell to get here. I have no parents, and no support. All I have is me. I was homeless for half a year, working as a high-rise window washer, in order to save enough money to go to school my freshman year. After that, I worked my way, living off of whatever loans or scholarships I could scrounge, working as a tutor, working as a taxi driver, working, and getting those good grades in one of the toughest academic pursuits there is. So surely you understand how important my future is to me. And surely this gives you some idea of the rationale behind my thinking when I tell you that I was a single-issue voter during the last presidential election... and my issue was support for NASA and the space program. This is not the sort of thing you think of when you think of "single-issue voters", is it...? Yet there I was, a single issue voter, alone in the universe because it seemed nobody else in the entire country cared about the one thing that I live for. I didn't care about abortion. I still don't. It's a stupid issue, because I realized long ago that there are two different baselines at work there, and nary the two shall meet. I cared about Iraq, and I cared about morals, and I cared about security... but all of these things frankly take a back seat when it comes to ME, and MY future. I voted for the thing that most mattered. ME. And there was only one issue that affected me more than any other ever could. I voted based upon it. Dare you try to tell me to vote for anyone but me? I’m a college student in aerospace engineering.

I’m also a 27-year-old with no money.

I am going into my senior year of my undergraduate study, and it’s been hell to get here.

I have no parents, and no support. All I have is me. I was homeless for half a year, working as a high-rise window washer, in order to save enough money to go to school my freshman year. After that, I worked my way, living off of whatever loans or scholarships I could scrounge, working as a tutor, working as a taxi driver, working, and getting those good grades in one of the toughest academic pursuits there is.

So surely you understand how important my future is to me.

And surely this gives you some idea of the rationale behind my thinking when I tell you that I was a single-issue voter during the last presidential election… and my issue was support for NASA and the space program.

This is not the sort of thing you think of when you think of “single-issue voters”, is it…? Yet there I was, a single issue voter, alone in the universe because it seemed nobody else in the entire country cared about the one thing that I live for.

I didn’t care about abortion. I still don’t. It’s a stupid issue, because I realized long ago that there are two different baselines at work there, and nary the two shall meet.

I cared about Iraq, and I cared about morals, and I cared about security… but all of these things frankly take a back seat when it comes to ME, and MY future. I voted for the thing that most mattered. ME. And there was only one issue that affected me more than any other ever could. I voted based upon it.

Dare you try to tell me to vote for anyone but me?

]]> By: Simon http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-46980 Simon Tue, 04 Jul 2006 04:49:01 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-46980 I'm suggesting that it is incompatible to say that <i>you're</i> voting your conscience while excorating others who vote on issues of conscience. I’m suggesting that it is incompatible to say that you’re voting your conscience while excorating others who vote on issues of conscience.

]]> By: ford4x4 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-45832 ford4x4 Sat, 01 Jul 2006 11:50:16 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-45832 <blockquote> Are you suggesting that people who are, for example, single issue voters on the abortion issue are doing somethingother than voting their conscience? </blockquote> That is exactly what I am suggesting. Those people are voting with tunnel vision. You don't see a difference between an "informed" voter and a single issue voter?

Are you suggesting that people who are, for example, single issue voters on the abortion issue are doing somethingother than voting their conscience?

That is exactly what I am suggesting. Those people are voting with tunnel vision. You don’t see a difference between an “informed” voter
and a single issue voter?

]]> By: Simon http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-45690 Simon Sat, 01 Jul 2006 03:37:58 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-45690 <blockquote>Things won’t change because those of us who vote our conscience are still severely outnumbered by those who vote strictly on name recognition, party affiliation, or because of a single issue (abortion, enviroment)</blockquote>What an intriguing juxtaposition. You, of course, vote you conscience, unlike those people who vote based on "single issues". Are you suggesting that people who are, for example, single issue voters on the abortion issue are doing somethingother than voting their conscience?

Things won’t change because those of us who vote our conscience are still severely outnumbered by those who vote strictly on name recognition, party affiliation, or because of a single issue (abortion, enviroment)

What an intriguing juxtaposition. You, of course, vote you conscience, unlike those people who vote based on “single issues”. Are you suggesting that people who are, for example, single issue voters on the abortion issue are doing somethingother than voting their conscience?

]]> By: Meredith http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-45514 Meredith Fri, 30 Jun 2006 19:24:55 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-45514 Dos said, "Sorry, but I’m afraid of a cooperative, pro-active federal government � look at Katrina Relief � that is what you get when everyone starts getting along." I do think that's humorous, but I would not describe Katrina Relief as an example of what happend when everyone is getting along. Katrina Relief is what happend when everyone (local, state and fed) had their heads up their @#%!*. Dos said,

“Sorry, but I’m afraid of a cooperative, pro-active federal government â€â€? look at Katrina Relief â€â€? that is what you get when everyone starts getting along.”

I do think that’s humorous, but I would not describe Katrina Relief as an example of what happend when everyone is getting along. Katrina Relief is what happend when everyone (local, state and fed) had their heads up their @#%!*.

]]> By: DosPeros http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-45070 DosPeros Thu, 29 Jun 2006 19:14:20 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-45070 I vote solely based on who is going to take the least amount of my money, i.e. taxes. I'm a Grover Norquist kind of guy -- drown it in a bathtub I say. I never said that I supported this Petition, but only that in order for it to have any political effect, there would have to be a cost for non-adherence. I haven't signed it, because I personally like deadlock, a paralyzed federal government, because as long as there is deadlock, polarization, bickering, exc. it is much more difficult for them to screw things up. Sorry, but I'm afraid of a cooperative, pro-active federal government -- look at Katrina Relief -- that is what you get when everyone starts getting along. I say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as welfare reform was passed when Clinton was acting as a Republican. There are some benefits given the right dynamic. I vote solely based on who is going to take the least amount of my money, i.e. taxes. I’m a Grover Norquist kind of guy — drown it in a bathtub I say.

I never said that I supported this Petition, but only that in order for it to have any political effect, there would have to be a cost for non-adherence. I haven’t signed it, because I personally like deadlock, a paralyzed federal government, because as long as there is deadlock, polarization, bickering, exc. it is much more difficult for them to screw things up. Sorry, but I’m afraid of a cooperative, pro-active federal government — look at Katrina Relief — that is what you get when everyone starts getting along.

I say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as welfare reform was passed when Clinton was acting as a Republican. There are some benefits given the right dynamic.

]]> By: ford4x4 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-44988 ford4x4 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:20:14 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-44988 I signed it, but... This is basically an "Internet Petition"- which is not worth the paper it's (not) printed on. Things won't change because those of us who vote our conscience are still severely outnumbered by those who vote strictly on name recognition, party affiliation, or because of a single issue (abortion, enviroment). I'm not saying it's hopless, but... it's hopeless. I signed it, but…

This is basically an “Internet Petition”- which is not worth the paper it’s (not) printed on.

Things won’t change because those of us who vote our conscience are still severely outnumbered by those who vote strictly on name recognition, party affiliation, or because of a single issue (abortion, enviroment). I’m not saying it’s hopless, but… it’s hopeless.

]]> By: Kevin http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-44986 Kevin Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:16:07 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-44986 I'd like to second DosPeros' suggestion. If we're going to put the carrot out there (grass roots money raising), lets get the stick working as well. I'd really like to see this grading backed up with an online database of each congressman's record, voting and otherwise. So that for any congressman you could see his grade and career "highlights" and then look deeper for more complete "statistics". If we can do this for baseball players, we should do it for politicians. I’d like to second DosPeros’ suggestion. If we’re going to put the carrot out there (grass roots money raising), lets get the stick working as well. I’d really like to see this grading backed up with an online database of each congressman’s record, voting and otherwise. So that for any congressman you could see his grade and career “highlights” and then look deeper for more complete “statistics”. If we can do this for baseball players, we should do it for politicians.

]]> By: DosPeros http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-44959 DosPeros Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:12:48 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-44959 It should be supported by some type of grading criteria for each member of Congress for partisanship, special interest $, bickering, polarization -- it will do nothing without being a political threat. I suggest some type of non-partisan (meaning equal number of partisans) committee that grade the politicians. Maybe something like this already exists. It should be supported by some type of grading criteria for each member of Congress for partisanship, special interest $, bickering, polarization — it will do nothing without being a political threat. I suggest some type of non-partisan (meaning equal number of partisans) committee that grade the politicians. Maybe something like this already exists.

]]> By: Peter http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-44697 Peter Thu, 29 Jun 2006 04:38:19 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-44697 Justin- it really is amazing that in only about 9 hours, 1800+ people have signed their Declaration of Independence. I agree with your sentiments and have of course, signed the document. I think that this will begin to show Washington and critics in the MSM that Unity08 is truly an organization of the people, by the people, and for the people. Justin-
it really is amazing that in only about 9 hours, 1800+ people have signed their Declaration of Independence. I agree with your sentiments and have of course, signed the document. I think that this will begin to show Washington and critics in the MSM that Unity08 is truly an organization of the people, by the people, and for the people.

]]> By: Meredith http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-44693 Meredith Thu, 29 Jun 2006 04:29:41 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-44693 I am gradually warming up to this idea. When Justin first posted about it, I poo-pooed it. However, if we all take a reactionary attitude that this won't work, then it won't work. I am an ex-republican, who turned into a super liberal liberal during law school. I've been on both sides of the fence, and I do believe the grass is greener on my current side. However, there are people and issues in my party that I don't support. I am not below compromising, and I have always felt that if "they" would just calm down a little, I would promise to calm down too. I suppose that signing this petition could be a demonstration that there are some of us who will put our names where our mouths are. Maybe it won't "work," but I doubt it could possible produce any situation that is worse than what we have now. I'm signing because if I do nothing, and if we all do nothing, then nothing will happen. I am gradually warming up to this idea. When Justin first posted about it, I poo-pooed it. However, if we all take a reactionary attitude that this won’t work, then it won’t work. I am an ex-republican, who turned into a super liberal liberal during law school. I’ve been on both sides of the fence, and I do believe the grass is greener on my current side. However, there are people and issues in my party that I don’t support. I am not below compromising, and I have always felt that if “they” would just calm down a little, I would promise to calm down too. I suppose that signing this petition could be a demonstration that there are some of us who will put our names where our mouths are. Maybe it won’t “work,” but I doubt it could possible produce any situation that is worse than what we have now. I’m signing because if I do nothing, and if we all do nothing, then nothing will happen.

]]> By: Bradley http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-44379 Bradley Wed, 28 Jun 2006 19:54:04 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2006/06/28/a-declaration-of-independence/#comment-44379 Hey, bravo to the sentiment, but this is meaningless. Everyone is sick of partisan politics (unless it is in favor of their betrothed party). And for those centrists that genuinely do dislike ALL partisanship, simply saying: "we don't like partisan politics...hey quit it" isn't going to change anything. There will be no change until there are consequences. Consequences to partisan acts that are greater than the consequences of compromising. Hey, bravo to the sentiment, but this is meaningless. Everyone is sick of partisan politics (unless it is in favor of their betrothed party). And for those centrists that genuinely do dislike ALL partisanship, simply saying: “we don’t like partisan politics…hey quit it” isn’t going to change anything.

There will be no change until there are consequences. Consequences to partisan acts that are greater than the consequences of compromising.

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