Comments on: Why won't we vote to really change things? http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/ Tell Jack how you really feel Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Will in Seattle http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39816 Will in Seattle Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:57:19 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39816 McCain may be the front runner in Florida, where the very old voters see him as a spring chicken, and Sen Clinton has her old-people base, but in the rest of America most voters haven't decided on either the GOP or the Dem front-runner. Now, can the media please tell us SOMETHING about the candidate's policies and viewpoints, and less of this horse race garbage? McCain may be the front runner in Florida, where the very old voters see him as a spring chicken, and Sen Clinton has her old-people base, but in the rest of America most voters haven't decided on either the GOP or the Dem front-runner.

Now, can the media please tell us SOMETHING about the candidate's policies and viewpoints, and less of this horse race garbage?

]]> By: Craig http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39814 Craig Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:57:14 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39814 The answer to your question is complicated, and I think a lot of comments have touched on several parts of it. Here's my two cents: When you have a wealthy establishment and a news media that shapes the narrative around what this establishment wants it to be about, left versus right, you end up with the Ancient Roman "Greens versus Blues" mentality. It isn't about voting your conscience, no matter the outcome. It's about backing a winner. Candidates that represent true change have it tough for the same reason third-party candidates have it tough... people in general (while there are exceptions) don't want to vote for someone that's not going to win... as though if I cast my vote for the winner, he/she is going to somehow represent me MORE than if I hadn't. I don't think when you talk to people individually that this would seem to be the case, but it is certainly supported by the larger trend throughout history. The answer to your question is complicated, and I think a lot of comments have touched on several parts of it. Here's my two cents: When you have a wealthy establishment and a news media that shapes the narrative around what this establishment wants it to be about, left versus right, you end up with the Ancient Roman "Greens versus Blues" mentality. It isn't about voting your conscience, no matter the outcome. It's about backing a winner. Candidates that represent true change have it tough for the same reason third-party candidates have it tough... people in general (while there are exceptions) don't want to vote for someone that's not going to win... as though if I cast my vote for the winner, he/she is going to somehow represent me MORE than if I hadn't.

I don't think when you talk to people individually that this would seem to be the case, but it is certainly supported by the larger trend throughout history.

]]> By: Packy http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39813 Packy Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:56:55 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39813 I have been a voter since 1968 and really haven't seen change. Whether we beat on Nixon or Carter, Reagan or Clinton I haven't seen real change in my life. I have bought houses, cars, food, vacations and toys over the years with no real change to my life at the grass roots level. Sure, we Americans love to hate the Carters or the Reagans but it all runs good thanks to the founding fathers and the inspiration of the three branches of government where checks and balances prevail. If we Americans REALLY want change then we need to get away from the two party system where the good old boys and girls prevail. Why do we believe that we can't have more than two parties in this country? By voting in the same old Republicans and Democrats we promote the Washington Club where they tell us what we want to hear but grow richer at everyone's expense. We have been lead down the path by our noses for generations. If there is no change than it's our own damn fault! Then again, what change would the average American want? Do we want to upset the status quo? I'd say life is pretty good in America as long as I see the stock market making money and weight loss commercials all over TV. Change? Why would we want that? I have been a voter since 1968 and really haven't seen change. Whether we beat on Nixon or Carter, Reagan or Clinton I haven't seen real change in my life. I have bought houses, cars, food, vacations and toys over the years with no real change to my life at the grass roots level. Sure, we Americans love to hate the Carters or the Reagans but it all runs good thanks to the founding fathers and the inspiration of the three branches of government where checks and balances prevail.
If we Americans REALLY want change then we need to get away from the two party system where the good old boys and girls prevail. Why do we believe that we can't have more than two parties in this country? By voting in the same old Republicans and Democrats we promote the Washington Club where they tell us what we want to hear but grow richer at everyone's expense. We have been lead down the path by our noses for generations. If there is no change than it's our own damn fault!
Then again, what change would the average American want? Do we want to upset the status quo? I'd say life is pretty good in America as long as I see the stock market making money and weight loss commercials all over TV.
Change? Why would we want that?

]]> By: Julie VanDusky http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39812 Julie VanDusky Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:56:52 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39812 Change is not always a good thing. There are some things that I think should stay the same, like our funding for space exploration through NASA. Obama wants to "change" that by reducing its funding for 5 years. Hillary wants to maintain it and encourages the advancement of scinece. In that particular issue, I'm proud to say I support the status quo. Change is not always a good thing. There are some things that I think should stay the same, like our funding for space exploration through NASA. Obama wants to "change" that by reducing its funding for 5 years. Hillary wants to maintain it and encourages the advancement of scinece. In that particular issue, I'm proud to say I support the status quo.

]]> By: John Rowe http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39811 John Rowe Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:56:46 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39811 The change we need is to change the political system that pits one party against the other, supported by corporate and union money, and run by legislators who want life time employment. We need term limits, publicly funded elections that last no longer than 120 days, and multi-party politics that will require compromise. Until that happens we will not have any meaningful change. The change we need is to change the political system that pits one party against the other, supported by corporate and union money, and run by legislators who want life time employment. We need term limits, publicly funded elections that last no longer than 120 days, and multi-party politics that will require compromise. Until that happens we will not have any meaningful change.

]]> By: Sam http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39810 Sam Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:56:36 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39810 People might say they want change, as that's the new buzz word, but in reality, what they really want is stability. Change for the sake of change, is a frightening concept. What we need in these trying times is a leader who have weathered the storms and battle scars to show. The new kid on the block definitely has it's charm and excitement, but being the leader of the free world is not for the ill-prepared. This is not a job you can learn about from reading books or watching cpan. Understanding the inner workings of a complex and often disfunctional beast (aka government) is definitely an asset of immeaurable value. Something that can't be discounted or overlooked. In the end of the day, the value of any president is what they can do for the country. Getting the job done and showing results is far more important than who can deliver the best speeches. I'd take a detail oriented, hands on, workhorse for a president any day. I've already had my fill on jumping on new trends. With a proven quantity, you know your downside. People might say they want change, as that's the new buzz word, but in reality, what they really want is stability. Change for the sake of change, is a frightening concept. What we need in these trying times is a leader who have weathered the storms and battle scars to show. The new kid on the block definitely has it's charm and excitement, but being the leader of the free world is not for the ill-prepared. This is not a job you can learn about from reading books or watching cpan. Understanding the inner workings of a complex and often disfunctional beast (aka government) is definitely an asset of immeaurable value. Something that can't be discounted or overlooked.

In the end of the day, the value of any president is what they can do for the country. Getting the job done and showing results is far more important than who can deliver the best speeches. I'd take a detail oriented, hands on, workhorse for a president any day.

I've already had my fill on jumping on new trends. With a proven quantity, you know your downside.

]]> By: Chuck http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39809 Chuck Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:56:26 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39809 The reason we will have no change is because the electoral process has been reduced to a personality driven dog and pony show with the corporate media talking heads as ringmasters. When someone like Dr. Ron Paul has the temerity to actually talk about real issues like monetary policy, the loss of our civil liberties or the moral bankruptcy of preemtive war, he is ridiculed and tuned out. The reason we will have no change is because the electoral process has been reduced to a personality driven dog and pony show with the corporate media talking heads as ringmasters. When someone like Dr. Ron Paul has the temerity to actually talk about real issues like monetary policy, the loss of our civil liberties or the moral bankruptcy of preemtive war, he is ridiculed and tuned out.

]]> By: Bob in MA http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39806 Bob in MA Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:56:16 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39806 I believe that most folks don't like the way things are. But our democratic institutions have been drained of a sense of community, really any kind of trust. I can vote for a future where we are all better off. But if I do that and at the same time you and yours vote for your narrow self interest, you get yours and I get [expletive deleted]. Without community to anchor us, fear can be driven easily by those with narrow interest and deep pockets. The academics call this the "prisoners' dilemma." It's the way things work without trust or community. I believe that most folks don't like the way things are. But our democratic institutions have been drained of a sense of community, really any kind of trust.

I can vote for a future where we are all better off. But if I do that and at the same time you and yours vote for your narrow self interest, you get yours and I get [expletive deleted].

Without community to anchor us, fear can be driven easily by those with narrow interest and deep pockets.

The academics call this the "prisoners' dilemma." It's the way things work without trust or community.

]]> By: LDR http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39805 LDR Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:55:47 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39805 The country deserves and needs change. Unfortunately, change should begin with the way we elect and finance our political leaders. The two-party system makes it impossible for people with good ideas like John Edwards and others to succeed. We are left to support the candidates that represent the best of the worst. It's time for us to elect candidates who are not afraid to REALLY stand up to the big interests and defend the majority of Americans (who depend on their weekly paychecks to survive.) We, as citizens of this country, need to begin to realize that we are being short-changed and must stop acting and voting as millionaires...until then, nothing will change. LR, Amherst, MA The country deserves and needs change. Unfortunately, change should begin with the way we elect and finance our political leaders. The two-party system makes it impossible for people with good ideas like John Edwards and others to succeed. We are left to support the candidates that represent the best of the worst. It's time for us to elect candidates who are not afraid to REALLY stand up to the big interests and defend the majority of Americans (who depend on their weekly paychecks to survive.) We, as citizens of this country, need to begin to realize that we are being short-changed and must stop acting and voting as millionaires...until then, nothing will change.

LR,
Amherst, MA

]]> By: Phil http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39804 Phil Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:55:46 +0000 http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/do-voters-really-want-change/#comment-39804 Ofcourse we want change unless you don't mind paying $3.00 for gas and facing foreclosure. We want change like a baby wants his dirty diaper changed. Ofcourse we want change unless you don't mind paying $3.00 for gas and facing foreclosure. We want change like a baby wants his dirty diaper changed.

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