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I was searching for a thread about this, but can't find one. I am frustrated that everyone keeps talking about all the states and delegates Obama has won. My state (Florida) had more voters show up at the polls than most of the states won by Obama put together. But we didn't count, did we?
I realize that the election process in our country has never been perfect, but this year it is a mockery of our very Democracy, our right to vote. In the end, stripping 210 delegates in one of the largest swing states is the same as punishing voters because of a dispute between the DNC and the Florida Legislature. Yes, I know in the end the Party will select its candidate, but as a registered Florida voter, I believe I have been ignored and disenfranchised. I am angry! OMG - It's 2000 all over again.
Since I'm talking about the unfair voting process, I want to look at the caucuses for a minute. I really never quite understood them, so this year I read how people get together at a planned time and discuss for hours who should be the next presidential candidate. This is why they are unfair and IMHO also unconstitutional. They do not represent the majority. People should be able to get to the polls to vote. I was outraged when I read that the Nevada caucus date completely disregarded Orthodox Jews who explained they cannot vote or even ride in a car on Saturday. What about the Seventh Day Adventists whose Sabbath is also on Saturday?
Another reason these neighborhood chats are unfair is that most people can't take time off from work to join a caucus. I mean, shouldn't each person get a chance to cast his vote instead of a select few who have an extra 5 or 6 hours to kill? Many casino and restaurant workers in Nevada tried desperately to attend a caucus but were told they had to spend hours away from their jobs.
In Iowa only a small portion of the state's population was represented. Some people have very busy schedules or have young children, others work evening shifts, and many just don't have several hours to debate with their neighbors about politics. The voting process is supposed to be private and each citizen's right to decide. It should be swift too. Maybe many people aren't physically capable of participating in a caucus. In Iowa there are no absentee ballots allowed. I just learned that. So this means even the men & women stationed abroad (who are working and fighting for us) can't participate in the process if they live in a state that doesn't allow absentee ballots. A police officer or fire fighter on duty cannot vote. If a person is bedridden he can't vote either.
So, in other words, most people don't seem to matter in the primary.
I live in a state where there are no caucuses, and I felt good about that. We were allowed to vote as early as 2 weeks before the January 29 primary in Florida. So I drove to the polls on my day off and it took less than 2 minutes to vote since I already had my sample ballot completed. The Democratic National Committee says no Florida delegates will be seated. That's what they told the people in Michigan too. Their votes don't count either. Are they really saying "We don't care what you think. We will make that decision for you."
I believe in uniformity in all states. Voting procedures have to be fair and included all citizens, regardless of age, race, social or financial status, Democrat or Republican. We all deserve equal assurance that our votes are will be counted.
I'm not sure about it being unconstitutional, but with all the gaming, rigging, and minupulating, it sure does feel like the system is weighted against voters and ordinary citizens.
Voting for the primaries is NOT a Constitutional vote.
Voting for elected office IS a Constitutional vote.
Neither the Republican or Democratic parties are in the U.S. Constitution.
These are private entities.
The primary schedules set up by the parties has always been problematic to say the least.
On the DNC side, they came up with the 2008 schedule and rules and ALL states agreed to them, but then Michigan and Florida broke those rules by moving up their election dates.
This unfortunate move made the elections illegitimate and many who would normally vote, stayed home.
The illegititmate votes can't be counted along with the legitimate ones because it would truly disenfranchise those who did not show up under those circumstances.
It would also be a slap in the face to all other states who would have liked to voted earlier too, but abided by the rules.
And it would set a horrible precedent for the Democratic party and most likely the Republican party as well.
On the DNC side, they came up with the 2008 schedule and rules and ALL states agreed to them, but then Michigan and Florida broke those rules by moving up their election dates.
This unfortunate move made the elections illegitimate and many who would normally vote, stayed home.
The illegititmate votes can't be counted along with the legitimate ones because it would truly disenfranchise those who did not show up under those circumstances.
It would also be a slap in the face to all other states who would have liked to voted earlier too, but abided by the rules.
And it would set a horrible precedent for the Democratic party and most likely the Republican party as well.
Seriously, this is ONLY conjecture on your part. EVERYONE who wanted to vote in Florida voted. As a matter of fact, there was an important property tax amendment on the ballot that probably made the vote numbers HIGHER than they would have been.
ALL Candidates were on the ballot. We all knew that it was important to come out and support our candidates, regardless of the “punishment” we were being dealt.One would think that Obama supporters, famous for being “motivated,” would have jumped at the chance to give at LEAST moral support to their candidate (except that Obama Girl ho). Just like how in Michigan, Obama and Edwards urged others to go and vote “uncommitted” since they decided to “punish” Michagoners for having the audacity of challenging the DNC leadership.
The problem is that Florida’s democratic party doesn’t match Obama’s dream demographics of large black democratic populations and large affluent white liberal populations like Virgina.
Seriously, this is ONLY conjecture on your part. EVERYONE who wanted to vote in Florida voted. As a matter of fact, there was an important property tax amendment on the ballot that probably made the vote numbers HIGHER than they would have been.
Given the circumstances at the time (DNC not sanctioning the election since the state broke the rules that it had agreed to) the results are not legitimate or could possibly reflect accurately what Democratic voters think.
Again:
On the DNC side, they came up with the 2008 schedule and rules and ALL states agreed to them, but then Michigan and Florida broke those rules by moving up their election dates.
This unfortunate move made the elections illegitimate and many who would normally vote, stayed home.
The illegititmate votes can't be counted along with the legitimate ones because it would truly disenfranchise those who did not show up under those circumstances.
It would also be a slap in the face to all other states who would have liked to voted earlier too, but abided by the rules.
And it would set a horrible precedent for the Democratic party and most likely the Republican party as well.
The two states should correct their error by working with the DNC on having REAL elections.
Given the circumstances at the time (DNC not sanctioning the election since the state broke the rules that it had agreed to) the results are not legitimate or could possibly reflect accurately what Democratic voters think.
Again:
On the DNC side, they came up with the 2008 schedule and rules and ALL states agreed to them, but then Michigan and Florida broke those rules by moving up their election dates.
This unfortunate move made the elections illegitimate and many who would normally vote, stayed home.
The illegititmate votes can't be counted along with the legitimate ones because it would truly disenfranchise those who did not show up under those circumstances.
It would also be a slap in the face to all other states who would have liked to voted earlier too, but abided by the rules.
And it would set a horrible precedent for the Democratic party and most likely the Republican party as well.
The two states should correct their error by working with the DNC on having REAL elections.
Yeap, you're right. But we've still been left out of the process, and let's face it, our votes are a LOT more important to get in the general than democratic voters in Idaho.
A Re-vote is what is needed, and sooner rather than later.
Will Obama and his supporters go for something like that?
Seriously, this is ONLY conjecture on your part. EVERYONE who wanted to vote in Florida voted.
However, the candidates did not campaign in Florida due to Florida breaking party rules. It may not be fair to the Florida constituents who voted not to have their delegates seated, but it wouldn't be fair to the candidates to seat the delegates without giving the candidates an opportunity to make their case to be president.
It is really sad that Florida screwed this one up. As a previous poster stated, it is like 2000 all over again - except this time, it is the Florida Democrats who messed it up.
I agree my with you my fellow floridian florida needs to count for something. Even is they want give hillary all the delegates the dnc at least needs to take into considerations that hillary has more crossover appela than obama and is the only one who can beat mccain.
Those in the states that are now left out should complain to the party leaders in their state. The rules were set by the party, and the states went against them making your vote not count. They were told of the rules and did it anyway. The fault is local.
Will Obama and his supporters go for something like that?
What kind of question is that? Have them vote again, and have all remaining states vote next week with them. Let's all vote and settle this.
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