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It's not always a matter of cro-bar'ing one's a*s off of the couch to vote. Yesterday, I was out of the state. Since the technology is there to prevent my having to vote in person, I was unable to cast my annual "no" vote. I'm sure other people also on vacations, business trips, etc. feel a little screwed by the archaic set up as well.
It would be easy to set up a web based system but so far wherever they have tried (in "hanging chad-land") they have been rife with problems. I'm sure it will cost a pretty penny to implement which would probably be voted down right now in any referendum on it. There is absentee ballot info on the front page of my districts website.
My district went @ 2900 votes Yes, 2500 No. I think that's a pretty fair representation of the angry and the not quite as angry but not happy!
It would be even simpler if I can vote without taking 30-45 minutes out of my day (it was that long for me last year) for an archaic process (driving to and from, waiting on lines, etc.). I know quite a few people who feel the same way which partially explains typically low voter turnout. There isn't any reason why this can't be made available on the web for convenience sake.
If you can't take 30-45 minutes out of your day a few times a year to exercise one of your most important rights, maybe you don't really care enough? I don't get it. I haven't missed a presidential election since I turned 18. I don't vote on every budget but I don't blame anyone else when I chose not to..especially just because I didn't like the outcome.
I think there's a broad misconception that the "angry" and "fed up" are voting No... I know plenty of people who are fed up with the high taxes who voted Yes to their budgets and they tell me constantly how upset they are about the escalating out of control costs.
So you can't glean anything from the voting numbers without understanding that many people have the intelligence to realize that voting No does absolutely nothing in the big picture and simply vote Yes to avoid austerity measures (which largely have them paying close to the same or more anyway).
I think there's a broad misconception that the "angry" and "fed up" are voting No... I know plenty of people who are fed up with the high taxes who voted Yes to their budgets and they tell me constantly how upset they are about the escalating out of control costs.
So you can't glean anything from the voting numbers without understanding that many people have the intelligence to realize that voting No does absolutely nothing in the big picture and simply vote Yes to avoid austerity measures (which largely have them paying close to the same or more anyway).
Not sure what you mean. I AM one of the "angry, fed up, upset, annoyed, flabbergasted, insulted, irate" people who voted YES. See my earlier post for reasons. Mostly, the board bent over backwards to do what they could and hit everything except employee health and pensions which they couldn't do anything about. I honestly think this board is looking forward to negotiating when it comes time and I think they won't get pushed around. So the ship may be turning, but ships turn really slowly...especially bloated ships like ours.
I think there's a broad misconception that the "angry" and "fed up" are voting No... I know plenty of people who are fed up with the high taxes who voted Yes to their budgets and they tell me constantly how upset they are about the escalating out of control costs.
So you can't glean anything from the voting numbers without understanding that many people have the intelligence to realize that voting No does absolutely nothing in the big picture and simply vote Yes to avoid austerity measures (which largely have them paying close to the same or more anyway).
Its sad to say, I voted NO, but in my heart i wanted to vote YES, because overall it doesnt really matter, and I think the board did try to lessen the impact.. but there is only so much they can do.... I think this has to change on a statewide level.. because there is really nothing we can do at these budget votes.
Its sad to say, I voted NO, but in my heart i wanted to vote YES, because overall it doesnt really matter, and I think the board did try to lessen the impact.. but there is only so much they can do.... I think this has to change on a statewide level.. because there is really nothing we can do at these budget votes.
Not sure what you mean. I AM one of the "angry, fed up, upset, annoyed, flabbergasted, insulted, irate" people who voted YES. See my earlier post for reasons. Mostly, the board bent over backwards to do what they could and hit everything except employee health and pensions which they couldn't do anything about. I honestly think this board is looking forward to negotiating when it comes time and I think they won't get pushed around. So the ship may be turning, but ships turn really slowly...especially bloated ships like ours.
I see that... so sorry, wasn't directing my comment at you - more of a general statement.
Sadly I wish you could negotiate the real thing weighing the ship down - i.e. pension and debt payments.
Yes, but unfortunately this year is only "this year" and the contract is not open for negotiation till 2012. Also pension and healthcare obligations are mandated
Wikileaks has proved that we can't even keep top secret documents safe, and you want them to put voting online? I give it a week before someone breaks in and alters the results/publishes who voted for what.
Just make it a law for people to vote and give the day off. I see no problem if someone goes in and pulls the lever for "No Vote." But, we have to make it so everyone votes and not just the special interest groups in this nation.
If you can't take 30-45 minutes out of your day a few times a year to exercise one of your most important rights, maybe you don't really care enough? I don't get it. I haven't missed a presidential election since I turned 18. I don't vote on every budget but I don't blame anyone else when I chose not to..especially just because I didn't like the outcome.
Not everyone can take 30-45 minutes out of their day depending on their circumstances. As stated earlier, I personally was out of the state on business....I wanted to vote. Many other people in my office are out on vacation as well. Just saying having to show up in person to vote is like having to go to the library to do research in this day and age....just stupid.
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